The idea behind the show
Like all things, the music of our lifetime is Just Passing Through. At times merely background to our daily comings and goings. At other times, so powerful and profound it stops us in our tracks.
As one of life's richest and most rewarding experiences, music transports and hopefully leads us to a place of shared wonder and better understanding.
As host of an hour-long, weekly program called Just Passing Through, I'll pay tribute to that experience from 2–3 every Wednesday afternoon on WAIF community radio, 88.3 FM in Cincinnati. If you cannot catch it live, it is available here in sequential order.
Music of just about every genre, from Appalachian to Zydeco, from Aretha to ZZ Top.
Each show will have its own distinct theme and a common thread that honors and celebrates the musical artistry of our times.
Whether you dip in for a brief moment, happen upon it by sheer chance, or immerse yourself in it for the full hour, I hope you recognize and feel the honest intention as it is Just Passing Through.
— John London
About the host
For more than forty years, John London was one of the most familiar voices in Cincinnati news. A Middletown, Ohio native, he spent a decade in radio news before joining WLWT-TV's News 5 in 1984, where he went on to cover four decades of the stories that helped shape Greater Cincinnati.
John retired from channel 5 WLWT in 2026, and in recognition of his career, he was inducted into the WLWT-TV Hall of Fame in 2024 and the Greater Cincinnati Society of Professional Journalists Hall of Fame in 2026.
Away from the newsroom, John's other lifelong passion has always been music, and the artists, records, and stories behind it. Just Passing Through is where that passion finally gets its own hour of airtime.
October summary
October's Smooth start promised no wrinkles. With Stan Getz, Sade, Ramsey Lewis and Blossom Dearie, the music comes with a wrinkle-free guarantee.
We take a mid-month jazz jaunt into New York City for the smooth sounds of John Pizzarelli, Bobby Short, and the late, great Cassandra Wilson.
We are putting Time and Love into profiling the enduring artistry of Laura Nyro on October 21st. Her solos of Up On The Roof, Embraceable You, and Let It Be Me are spellbinding.
We close the month on the 28th with Harmonica Blues. The names Charlie Musselwhite, Junior Wells, Little Walter and Sonny Terry are synonymous with the 'ol pocket whistle.
I also heard it called the Tin Sandwich down South. Tastes mighty good.
— John London
October shows
September summary
The first month of shows that are Just Passing Through set the tone I'm aiming for.
I chose songs of the river for the opener to signify the musical current that never stops flowing.
The sounds of San Francisco's 1967 Summer of Love harken to a time of reflection and rebellion. The many recordings of Janis Joplin and Grace Slick took up permanent residence in my head long ago.
I consider the third show a form of worship. It is hard to imagine artistry more movingly beautiful than that of Ben Harper's collaboration with the Blind Boys of Alabama, whose back story is one of racism and resilience.
Bill Thompson, who always keeps a surprise up his sleeve, will close out September for me.
Then, I'll open October in Smooth fashion with artists like Sade, Stan Getz, Ramsey Lewis, Madeleine Peyroux, and Norah Jones prominently featured.
A diverse mix of music that you can hear as it's Just Passing Through.
— John London