Today we have the pleasure of talking Detroit musician Ali Jackson. We sit down for a conversation reflecting on his work and musical journey. 

Throughout the show, we pair our conversation with iconic jazz selections from Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington and Lou Donaldson. You’ll also hear tracks from Michael Kiwanuka, George Harrison, Paul McCartney, Sault, and Little Dragon, alongside songs from Nick Drake and Andy Shauf.  

Check the playlist below and listen to the episode for two weeks after it airs using the player above. 

In The Groove with Ryan Patrick Hooper playlist for May 14, 2026 

• “Things I Do” – Andy Shauf 

• “Yvonne” – Foxwarren 

• “Cold Little Heart” – Michael Kiwanuka 

• “What Is Life (2014 Remaster)” – George Harrison 

• “Give Me Back My Loving” – Leo Nocentelli 

• “One Of These Things First” – Nick Drake 

• “Glory” – Sault 

• “Let Go” – Sonic Interventions 

• “Down (feat. Dames Brown) [Extended Mix]” – The Vision 

• “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – Ninapinta 

• “Nothing but a Heartache” – The Flirtations 

• “Bound” – The Ponderosa Twins Plus One 

• “Knock Knock (feat. MF Doom)” – MED, Blu & Madlib 

• “Break Me Down” – Yukimi 

• “Klapp Klapp” – Little Dragon 

• “Skipping Like A Stone (feat. Beck) [Single Edit]” – The Chemical Brothers 

• “The Darkness That You Fear (Harvest Mix)” – The Chemical Brothers 

• “World_Train” – Bullion & Charlotte Adigéry 

• “Radio Free Europe (Jacknife Lee Remix / 2025)” – R.E.M. 

• “POP POP POP” – IDLES 

• “Deep Harbour (feat. Alfa Mist)” – Commodo 

• “Mood Indigo” – Duke Ellington 

• “Ko Ko” – Charlie Parker 

• “Blues Walk” – Lou Donaldson 

• “Diana (feat. Wayne Shorter)” – Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra & Wynton Marsalis 

• “Breezin” – Boris Garbiner Happening 

• “Diane Charlemagne (Iman Houssein Remix)” – LEFTO EARLY BIRD 

Listen to In the Groove with host Ryan Patrick Hooper weekdays from noon-3 p.m. ET on 101.9 WDET or stream on-demand at wdet.org.