Every day, 90.9 broadcasts classical music and jazz through well-curated playlists and programs.

Maxology with Maxine Michaels

Maxine Michaels’ signature style and programming selections are enjoyed by a huge list of friends and fans around the globe. Maxine consistently innovates with an uncanny ability to educate the masses about the rich history of jazz, cultural information and more.

She takes great pride in having given many Detroit-based music artists their first radio airplay, she has consistently stood as an advocate in support of Detroit area music makers and has worked to increase public awareness of talent through live jazz performances. She has also provided unforgettable service to the church and community Mayflower Music Series. Love from Detroit!

Maxine’s Latest Playlist

Start Time   Duration   Artist   Title   Album    Label

1/3/25 7:00pm 8:27 Donald Byrd – FlightTime – Black Byrd – Blue Note
1/3/25 7:09pm 8:21 Wayne Shorter – Speak No Evil – Speak No Evil – Blue Note
1/3/25 7:18pm 9:22 Ron English – You Make Me Feel Brad New – Fish Feet – Strata
1/3/25 7:26pm 8:29 Urban Transport – The Beast – Urban Transport Live – Urban Transport Music
1/3/25 7:34pm 7:09 James Carter – Naima – Conversin’ With The Elders – Atlantic
1/3/25 7:41pm 10:31 Keith Jarrett Trio – The Cure – The Cure – ECM
1/3/25 7:51pm 14:00 Dee Dee Bridgewater – Love For Sale – Live At Yoshi’s -Verve
1/3/25 8:04pm 5:04 Duke Ellington – C Jam Blues – Happy Birthday, Duke! – Laser Light
1/3/25 8:09pm 12:54 Wes Montgomery – No Blues – Jazz Masters 14 – Verve
1/3/25 8:22pm 7:44 James Carter – Moten Swing – Conversin’ With The Elders – Atlantic
1/3/25 8:30pm 4:14 Al Green – Simply Beautiful – True Love A Collection – Music Club
1/3/25 8:34pm 10:28 In The Tradition – Soft Blue – In The Tradition – AFJ
1/3/25 8:45:pm 13:29 Dobbins, Krahnke & Weed Trio – Wonder Medley – Odyssey – PKO Records
1/3/25 8:58pm 2:52 Lou Rawls – Pure Imagination – Live At Mark Hellinger Theater – Sony
1/3/25 9:01pm 10:20 Willis Jackson – Jive Samba – Willis Jackson With Pat Martino – Prestige
1/3/25 9:11pm 7:54 Wayne Shorter – Footprints – Footprints Live! – Verve
1/3/25 9:19pm 5:18 Ron English – Yet And Still – Fish Feet – Strata
1/3/25 9:24pm 7:44 Marcus Miller – Your Amazing Grace – M2 – 3 Deuces Records
1/3/25 9:32pm 6:18 David Fathead Newman – Come Sunday – Life – HighNote
1/3/25 9:40pm 15:40 Gary Bartz Quintet – Close Your Eyes – Precious Enery – Mapleshade Records
1/3/25 9:56pm 3:20 Marvin Gaye – Live On Stage – Motown
1/3/25 10:00pm 10:21 Tania Maria – Come With Me Live – YouTube – Tania Maria Music
1/3/25 10:10pm 7:44 Yusef Lateef – Oscarlypso – Live At Peps – Impulse!
1/3/25 10:18pm 7:47 Smokey Robinson – Quiet Storm – The Ultimate Collection – Motown
1/3/25 10:26pm 14:33 Charles Earland – Killer Joe – Live At The Key Club – Fantasy
1/3/25 10:41pm 14:01 Miles Davis & John Coltrane – Bye Bye Blackbird – The Final Tour – Legacy
* (all airtime is approximate)

77 comments

  1. This year I had done nothing for Black History month. But your Feb 17th show took me where I needed to go. Hearing the Black National Anthem put me on the road. From that point on I sang, laughed, cried and danced. You touched my soul and made me happy! From an old Detroit jazz head, thank you

    1. Wow, thank you Sharon, it’s nice to know our music touched you so deeply. Thanks for listening and keep on laughing and dancing!

  2. THOROUGHLY enjoy listening to Maxology! The playlists are diverse and the commentary is enlightening! Ms Michaels is the best and I could listen to her for hours on end!😍😍

    1. A Dream Deferred by trumpeter John Douglas – CD titled JD’s Pursuit.
      Thank you for listening.
      MAXOLOGY!

  3. Hi. Love the program. Is the playlist from 4/28 available? There was a great track that I can’t remember ( I think it was called “come with me” )

    1. Hi Anthony,
      Love to your listening, search and buy her music. Tania Maria – Come With Me
      Thanks! WRCJ / MAXOLOGY

  4. Hello Maxine! Your show on Friday 5/12/23 helped us keep our cool as we successfully navigated the road construction ongoing along I-75–gigantic trucks barreling past us, impatient drivers changing lanes, unexpected traffic shifts and suddenly disappearing lanes–as we headed homeward after our downtown gig! Special highlights included Rahsaan Roland Kirk’s rambunctious delivery of “Afro Blue” followed by David Fathead Newman’s silken tenor sax, Emmett Cohen’s masterful command of the piano and the soothing prayer of Donny Hathaway’s soulful voice on “Sack Full of Dreams”. Rick Matle and I are grateful for your presence on WRCJ!

    1. Sheila & Rick, At your service…to make navigating the roads more bearable.
      Priceless note and special thank YOU! – Max

  5. Hello, you are one of Detroit’s jewels! Do you still do any activities for the community like the monthly concerts at the church?

    1. Thea, awww the note makes me sweet weep…plans on-going to restore Mayflower Music Series. Sending a special thank YOU! -Max

  6. LOVE LOVE LOVE your show, your selections are outstanding.
    Would love to hear Dinah Washington’s Salty Papa Blues one day. Or really, any Dinah.

    Keep it on, and thanks

  7. Max is amazing @ i have friends in Singapore, across Europe and Jamaica and in South Africa I also have a friend that is the Captain of a all female crew in on a seafaring international cargo ship that listen to her show where ever they are!

  8. Hello Maxine I’m a big fan of yours and I love your playlist I listen every night I wished you guys played jazz all day keep up the amazing work yours truly one of Detroit’s Biggest jazz fans!

  9. You are truly unique ! Voice, tone and style. Music selection is the BEST ! You always seem to capture my mood and make me smile. Keep on keepin’ on !
    Love you !

  10. Hi Maxine, I want to say that I very much appreciate your show and the July 21 set list was especially good. Thanks!

  11. Max, just want to give you a heads-up about a Brazilian group that you may already be aware of ? They’re called Milk’nBlues and play a nice blusy /jazz style that is so easy to listen to like “Sade, smooth operator” and others. I found them on YouTube & Spotify Check them out ! You might be surprised. Love your work.

    1. Charles E., Awww glad you caught it – the correct spelling Dindi it’s the Willie Bobo version Live At Watts Jazz Festival. Special thanks for listening. -Max

  12. Hello Maxine, this is Pat Cronley. You’ve played my music years ago. Loving the sounds !! Saw you down at Det Jazz Fest , fabulous !

    You played Killer Joe tonight, Jan 19 around 9:00 . Can you please tell me who the artist was ??

    Thank you
    Pat

    1. Hi Pat, Your note is a great surprise. Glad you caught the Quincy Jones Project – Cool Joe, Mean Joe (Killer Joe). You’ll find it on the CD – Q’s Jook Joint. Thanks! -Max

  13. Hello Maxine! Just a word to let you know that you are the undisputed “Queen of the Airwaves” a.k.a. “Queen of the Highway” as we barrel northward on I-75 with the radio tuned to WRCJ, driving home on Friday nights from our gig in downtown Detroit. Especially remarkable on 4/5/24 was hearing the Dobbins, Krahnke and Weed Trio performing “Love You Madly”, followed by the loquacious Lou Rawls spinning the tale of the “Charge Card Blues”. Thank you for making our road trip so much more pleasant with the sounds of “Maxology”. Maxine, I realize that your comment page may not be the most appropriate format on which to invite you to an event but here I go! On Thursday, May 2nd from 8-10:30pm I will be celebrating my 50th year as a Detroit Jazz Artist at Alchemi, located at 215 S. Main Street in Royal Oak. Live music by Sheila Landis, Rick Matle and drummer Darryl Pierce. Food and beverages will be available. There is no cover charge. Reservations may be made at http://www.alchemiroyaloak.com. Hope to see you there! Thank you for keeping the jazz flame alive with “Maxology” on WRCJ! Yes, you DO understand!

    1. Hello Sheila, Maxine says:
      Your flashback to the playlist of 4/5/24 in the 10:00pm hour was a WOW MOMENT TODAY! Heartfelt thanks for the priceless note…makes me feel like what I do makes an impact.
      Extra thanks for your show invitation.
      Yes, You DO Understand!

  14. I think the station should say something about the passing of
    O C Roberts MC for the Reggae Sound Blast on 90.9. His passing was April 13, 2024 and service was April 28, 2024.

  15. What show is playing now? It might have just ended at 1030pm (Friday 9th)guy was telling the story of jazz

    1. Hi Eric, there was some technical trouble so we switched over to John Hill’s program briefly but here’s what Maxine was playing around that time:
      08/09/24 22:13 16:17 Lou Rawls – Tribute Medley – Live At Mark Hellinger Theater – Lou Rawls Music
      08/09/24 22:30 11:16 Ahmad Jamal – La Costa – Live At Baker’s – Personal Compilation CD – Ahmad Jamal Music
      08/09/24 22:41 5:59 Rachelle Ferrell – You Don’t Know What Love Is – Live In Montreux – Blue Note

  16. Can you give me more info on that song you played around 7:30 on Friday, 08/16/24 ?
    By …James (last name, I think)…song “Breathe” ? Lots of flute on it. Thanks.

  17. Hi Maxine,

    I caught a portion of your show on Friday the 13th and it was fabulous. Please post the playlist soon!

    Dave Thomas aka Mr. T
    Volunteer Broadcaster Host of Positive Amplitude

    1. To Detroit treasure Maxine M. – Love your show. Great songs, awesome variety.
      1. What is the name of the category of songs that include talking, ie, telling a story? (Like By the Time I Get to Phoenix which you played last night) I’d like to do a search on that category to have a list of them. 2. I see your playlist from Sept. 13 on WRCJ site, and wonder how to see past playlists?

      1. With honor to your mention as a Detroit treasure – truly humble & thankful. Appreciate the splash of love on the show for the variety in it.

        Truth told I don’t do category of songs but prefer to weave groove theory and what feels good in the programming moments. The story telling is a bonus art form – glad you caught Isaac Hayes (By The Time I Get To To Phoenix).

        Search sometimes we need the music and sometimes we need the lyrics . . .

        Maxine M.
        MAXOLOGY!

  18. Thankyou for making my evening so special Maxine your soothing Jazz caressing is so fine and I Thankyou from the bottom of my heart ❣️may your week be pleasant and adventurous! No I’m not signing off anytime soon I am just gettin warmed up Girl stay chill!

  19. WOO! This is a jam that has elements of James Brown’s J.B.s and FUNKY FUNKY FUNKY get-down jazz! Maxology is in the house! Thanks for the soulful Detroit-vibe!

  20. Good evening Miss Maxine spinning the Jazz Extravaganza on this All Saints Day Amen 🙏 I so dig your groove/y girl motions/potions!

    Sincerely yours,

    Mr. Mark Anthony

    Speak To Me…

  21. Well if you will allow me to say to you, Mizz Jazz Maxine you thoroughly Mix My Mass for Jazz which only you can imply Sweet Soul Child to indulge my Soul!

  22. Good evening Maxine last Fridays show was superb. Now I lay me down to jazz. Total relaxation with the smoothest vibes once more!

    Mark Anthony

    1. Hi Steve, our Giving Tuesday donation match has ended but we hope to have another special event like that again soon. Thank you for checking!

  23. A very blessed Christmas 🎄 🙏 & a very happy new year 🎉 😊 ✨️ to you Mizz Jazzy nights 🌙 🎶

    Sincerely,
    Mr. Mark Anthony

  24. Chillin to the Max for two as the hits keep coming in this sensory ride into the New Year of 2025 only the way Mizz Michaels portrays it oh so layed back and ultra relaxing this night 🌙 for two you and me girl so fine indeed!

  25. Last night (1/3/25) I heard an amazing live version of Love for Sale! Please tell who is the singer and band. Thank you and happy new year. 🕊️

    1. Hi Eric, that was Dee Dee Bridgewater doing Love For Sale from her album Live At Yoshi’s on the Verve label. Thanks for listening!

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