This week on Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music, fondly remembering the interpretive genius of Cassandra Wilson who passed this week at age 70.

In happier music news, Jazzfest is here, and we’ll play some of our favorite performers in town, including some cool in-studio takes. Also, Sept. 5 is Loudon Wainwright III’s 80th birthday, so a tip of the hat to the tragi-comic troubadour happens this week as well!

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

Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music Playlist for September 5, 2026

HOUR ONE:

• “I Can’t Stand The Rain” – Cassandra Wilson ft. Chris Whitley
• “26-2” – Ravi Coltrane
• “After The Love Is Gone” – Kurt Elling (Acoustic Cafe recording)
• “Touchdown” – Bob James
• “Motel Blues” – Loudon Wainwright III (Acoustic Cafe recording)
• “Say That You Love Me” – Loudon Wainwright III (Acoustic Cafe recording)
• “You Can’t Fail Me Now” – Loudon Wainwright III & Lucy Wainwright Roche (Acoustic Cafe recording)
• “There Is Power In A Union” – Billy Bragg (Acoustic Cafe recording, live at Meadowbrook, July 2, 1995)

HOUR TWO:

• “Seven Steps” – Cassandra Wilson
• “I Can’t Get Next To You” – Dee Dee Bridgewater
• “Stepping Out” – Kurt Elling (Acoustic Cafe recording)
• “Meet The Wainwrights” – Loudon Wainwright III & family
• “Road Ode” – Loudon Wainwright III
• “One Man Guy” – Rufus Wainwright
• “Fanfare For Unity” – Joe Lovano
• “Yes We Can” – Catherine Russell
• “Cominando” – Ron Carter & Foursight
• “Harvest Moon” – Cassandra Wilson

Listen to Rob Reinhart’s Essential Music every Saturday from 2-4 p.m. ET on Detroit Public Radio 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand at wdet.org