Skip to Main Content
In A Mellow Tone
Join your hosts Natalie McGrath, Ian Mackenzie, Heavy Ben and/or Ron Steeds & Jim Reil for 2 hours of great jazz.
Hosted by: Ben Armstrong, Natalie McGrath and Ian Mackenzie
Airs: Every Wednesday from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Expect a focus on a musician, a city, a festival, an instrument, a record label or a recent releases from the beginnings of jazz to its latest innovations. Join your hosts Heavy Ben, Natalie McGrath, Ian Mackenzie, Ron Steeds and Jim Reil for 2 hours of great jazz.

In A Mellow Tone

Date Host Highlight On Demand
Oct. 22, 2025 Ian M Interpretations of Monk: the continuing influence of Thelonious Monk
available
Oct. 15, 2025 Jim Reil and Ron Steeds Timeless music from Count Basie featuring Lester Young, followed by the brilliant pianist Phineas Newborn Jr.
available
Oct. 8, 2025 Heavy Ben John Berberian: Ode to an Oud
available
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

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, Ian M. and Ron Steeds & Jim Reil, plus occasional guest hosts. They intend on taking IAMT forward with the high standards of broadcasting that Ron Sweetman established for decades.

Like us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/ckcumellowtone