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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 July 23rd, 2025:
A profile of Strata-East co-founder and pianist Stanley Cowell, including some previously unreleased material

In A Mellow Tone

Date Host Highlight On Demand
Jul. 30, 2025 Natalie McGrath Jazz at the Parisian Café
available
Jul. 23, 2025 Ian M Stanley Cowell. pianist, composer and educator - new reissues and a conversation with one of his students
available
Jul. 16, 2025 Heavy Ben Vinyl Sides 10 - Cal Tjader, Toni Esposito, Jef Gilson, Chico Freeman, Dominique Fils-Aimé, Bola Sete
available
Jul. 9, 2025 Jim Reil & Ron Steeds Small combo jazz from the 1930's and the 1990's
available
Jul. 2, 2025 Natalie McGrath The Summer of Love: Romance, Heartbreak & Passion in Jazz
available
Jun. 25, 2025 Ian M Pianist John Hicks as band leader, soloist and sideman: including a previously unreleased track from his first album, "Hells Bells"
available
Jun. 18, 2025 Natalie, Ian M, Heavy Ben Ottawa Jazz Festival 2025
available
Jun. 11, 2025 Heavy Ben Vinyl Sides 9 - Yusef Lateef, Angelillo Et Hamel, Mulatu Astatke, Elenco Records Brazil, Takeshi Inomata, Sabu Martinez, Laura Agnusdei
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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Coming up on In A Mellow Tone
Jul. 30th, 2025 9:00 PM
Transport yourself to the heart of Paris — feel the cozy charm and timeless elegance of a Parisian café, brought to life through the magic of jazz on In A Mellow Tone.