In The Groove: Music from Christian McBride and Ursa Major, The Temptations, Four Tops, + more

Eleven-time Grammy Award-winning bassist, composer and bandleader Christian McBride joins us for a conversation ahead of his performance with Ursa Major at Orchestra Hall on Friday, June 5. Throughout the interview, McBride highlights some of the music and artists that have inspired him, including selections from Wynton Marsalis, Four Tops, Junior Walker, and The Temptations. 

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 June 4, 2026 

• “OSAKA” – Athletic Progression 

• “Kneel” – Nilüfer Yanya 

• “Midnight Sun (king krule Remix)” – Nilüfer Yanya & King Krule 

• “Life Has Its Trials” – Dorothy Ashby 

• “T.R.O.Y.” – Heroes Of Limbo 

• “Little Child Runnin’ Wild” – Curtis Mayfield 

• “Life Is Beautiful” – Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist 

• “Make You Feel That Way” – Blackalicious 

• “Drifting? (Pts. 1-8)” – ThirdEyeBeats 

• “Home is Where The Hatred Is (feat. Lisa Fischer) [Main]” – Brian Jackson, Masters At Work, Kenny Dope & Louie Vega 

• “People Get Up and Drive Your Funky Soul” – James Brown 

• “Autumn Leaves” – Wynton Marsalis 

• “More Is” – Christian McBride & Ursa Major 

• “Homecookin’” – Junior Walker 

• “Cloud Nine” – The Temptations 

• “Bernadette” – Four Tops 

• “Red Ashes” – Allen Dennard 

• “The Fool” – Brigid Dawson and The Mothers Network 

• “Anemone” – The Brian Jonestown Massacre 

• “Sketch for Summer” – The Durutti Column 

• “Planted A Thought” – Arthur Russell 

• “A Figure in the Surf” – Mount Kimbie 

• “I’LL BE YOUR FRIEND” – Ruti 

• “Dog Days Are Over” – Florence + the Machine 

• “Sleeping Ute (Nicolas Jaar Remix)” – Grizzly Bear 

• “Everybody’s Gotta Live” – Love 

• “Fire and Brimstone” – Link Wray 

• “Zoom 97” – Kurt Vile 

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.