Visions: Celebrating Malcolm X

This week on Visions, I celebrate the life and legacy of Malcolm X, whose birthday is May 19. “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” was one of the most important books I ever read. And the fact that there are jazz songs about Malcolm X means many others were impacted by him, too.

You’ll hear Malcolm X related music from Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble, Terence Blanchard, Archie Shepp, Leon Thomas, Billy Brooks, and Christian McBride.

I also play music from Makaya McCraven, Alice Coltrane, Mal Waldron, Yusef Lateef, Geri Allen & The Mary Lou Williams Collective, Cecil McBee, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor, and Abbey Lincoln.

The music about Malcolm in this episode is powerful, political, deeply spiritual, and raw. He may have been a controversial figure to some, but his impact is still present today.

Check out the playlist below and listen to the episode on-demand for two weeks after it airs using the media player above.

Visions Playlist for May 18, 2026

• “Malcolm X” – Philip Cohran & The Artistic Heritage Ensemble
• “Black Rhythm Happening” – Makaya McCraven
• “Malcolm Makes Hajj” – Terence Blanchard
• “Retribution” – Abbey Lincoln
• “A Love Supreme” – Alice Coltrane*
• “Elmina” – Donald Byrd*
• “Taurus” – Geri Allen* & The Mary Lou Williams Collective
• “Brother Malcolm” – Christian McBride
• “Symbiosis” – Mike Nock, Bennie Maupin*, Cecil McBee & Eddie Marshall
• “Al Hajj Malik Al Shabazz – For Malcolm X (Live)” – Billy Brooks
• “Malcolm’s Theme” – Terence Blanchard
• “Warp And Woof (feat. Eric Dolphy & Booker Ervin)” – Mal Waldron
• “Malcolm’s Gone” – Leon Thomas
• “Port Of Call” – Cecil Taylor
• “Malcolm, Malcolm – Semper Malcolm” – Archie Shepp
• “Love Theme From Spartacus” – Yusef Lateef*
• “Springtime Again” –  Sun Ra

* indicates Detroit artists