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In A Mellow Tone
Join your hosts Natalie McGrath, Ian Mackenzie and/or Heavy Ben for 2 hours of great jazz. An introduction to the entire history of jazz.
Hosted by: Ben Armstrong, Natalie McGrath and Ian Mackenzie
Airs: Every Wednesday from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Coming up at 9:00 PM on October 8th, 2025:
Decades before "world music" became fashionable, Armenian oud master John Berberian explored fusions of traditional Middle Eastern music, psychedelic rock and jazz. Heavy Ben hosts.

In A Mellow Tone

Date Host Highlight On Demand
Oct. 1, 2025 Ron Steeds & Jim Reil A Tale Of Two Desert Island Records
available
Sep. 24, 2025 Ian M Tenor saxophonist Billy Harper - his playing and compositions. Featuring an interview with Mark Masters about his new album of Harper compositions (featuring Billy Harper), "Dance, Eternal Spirits, Dance!"
available
Sep. 17, 2025 Heavy Ben Work Money Death, The Lewis Express
available
Sep. 10, 2025 Natalie McGrath Battle of the Bands…Leaders
available
Sep. 3, 2025 Jim Reil and Ron Steeds The extraordinary Martial Solal
available
Aug. 27, 2025 Natalie McGrath The Tortured Artists in Jazz, Part Two
available

IN A MELLOW TONE INTRODUCES LISTENERS TO THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF JAZZ, FROM ITS BEGINNINGS TO THE LATEST INNOVATIONS. THE HOSTS DRAW ON THEIR LARGE PERSONAL CD AND LP COLLECTIONS TO SUPPLEMENT CKCU'S EXTENSIVE RESOURCES.

IN A MELLOW TONE was created and hosted by Ron Sweetman until he retired from radio in Septermber 2015. The program has been a weekly fixture on CKCU-FM 93.1 since May 1976. He was a founder member of L’Atelier de Musique Experimentale (1972), Jazz Ottawa (1976), and Music Now (1997). He wrote for CODA magazine and was a member of the Down Beat International Critics Poll.

IN A MELLOW TONE is now hosted by a rotating collective of jazz zealots including Natalie McGrath,  Heavy Ben and Ian M., plus occasional guest hosts. They intend on taking IAMT forward with the high standards of broadcasting that Ron Sweetman established for decades.

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