Musicians have been building on the past since the first notes were sounded; this week we’ll tune in to artists who’ve toyed with their roots to create something new. Jazz singer Cassandra Wilson tells us about returning to her home in Jackson, MS to record the blues and gospel-inflected CD Belly of the Sun. Bill Frisell positions his unique guitar style in a long line of ground-breaking musicians. Plus new sounds in country, jazz, blues, rock and more. Modern Roots, on American Routes.

Honoring the late Civil Rights leader with two hours of songs and stories in his spirit from inspiring leaders in music past and present. Harry Belafonte—a confidant of MLK— recalls his career in music and social activism, including the recently available “Anthology of African-American Music.” Plus tales of one of jazz’s great eccentrics — Sun Ra — remembered by band members Marshall Allen and Michael Ray, and biographer John Szwed.

On the 25th anniversary of his death, Elvis Presley is remembered. Exclusive interviews with bandmates DJ Fontana, Scotty Moore, producer Sam Phillips, and biographer Peter Guralnick focus on the social and cultural interactions unique to Memphis and the Deep South that sparked Elvis’ musical explosiveness. The songwriting team of Leiber & Stoller talk about working with Elvis on their compositions “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock,” and guitarist James Burton describes the Vegas years. Memphis R&B great Rufus Thomas describes the complex relationship many black musicians had to Elvis, and rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson says the king of rock ‘n’ roll was a perfect gentleman on their dates.