The Sauce with Dawn Burns

20:00

Episode 77: Joshua Achiron-Guitarist, Composer &...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/05/15

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with Chicago-based guitarist, arranger, composer, and educator Joshua Achiron. Blending jazz and classical traditions, Joshua studied at the Eastman School of Music and earned his master’s degree from the Berklee Global Jazz Institute under Danilo Pérez, Joe Lovano, and John Patitucci. In 2024, Joshua received the prestigious Luminarts Jazz Fellowship and now teaches at Harper College.

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19:29

Episode 76: New York based Metta Quintet and Jazz Reach

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/05/08

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for an inspiring performance by JazzReach’s acclaimed Metta Quintet. Dedicated to advancing jazz through innovative educational programming and community engagement, JazzReach brings world-class artistry to audiences of all ages. This special performance was recorded live at The Acorn in Three Oaks, capturing the energy, creativity, and spirit that make live jazz unforgettable.

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18:05

Episode 75: Pioneering Keyboardist and Composer Mark...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/05/01

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for an inspiring conversation with Mark Adams, a pioneering keyboardist and composer who helped define the neo-soul sound. A longtime collaborator of Roy Ayers, Mark spent 25 years as his music director. Following Roy’s passing in March 2025, Mark set out to honor his legacy by forming the Neo-Soul All Stars and recording “This Is Neo Soul”, a tribute album.In this episode, Mark reflects on decades in music, life on the road, and how his latest project carries

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24:30

Episode 74: Southern Blues Artist Buddy Red

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/04/24

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for a powerful conversation with Buddy Red, an Atlanta-based Southern blues artist known for his soulful sound and electrifying performances. A gifted vocalist and guitarist, Buddy channels the spirit of classic influences while crafting a style entirely his own. With roots in a legendary entertainment family, he’s forging his own path—earning recognition for his visceral guitar work and deeply personal storytelling.In this episode, Buddy opens up about his

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17:00

Episode 73: The Poetry of Fabric: Inside Paris Jo’s...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/04/17

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a captivating conversation with Paris Jo, an independent fashion designer and photographer based in the Michiana area. Known for her bespoke bridal and evening gowns, Paris blends romance, history, and storytelling into every piece, creating designs rich with emotion, movement, and timeless beauty. A Purdue University graduate with over a decade in design and two years in professional photography, she draws inspiration from old Hollywood, 90s minimalism, and

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21:15

Episode 71: Chicago Cross-Genre Artist Russoul

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/04/10

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with Chicago-based, cross-genre artist Russoul. Blending soul, house, techno, gospel, R&B, and electronica, Russoul shares his journey from winning Chicago Idol to working with Ye and opening for legends like Erykah Badu, Chaka Khan, and Stevie Wonder. Tune in as he reflects on his musical evolution, creative process, and the lasting influence of his mother.

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26:45

Episode 71: A Conversation with Visionary Artist...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/04/03

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a dynamic conversation with Nicholas Payton—a Grammy Award–winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, and cultural innovator. A leading voice in American music, Payton defies genre, blending tradition with what he calls “postmodern New Orleans music.” In this episode, he reflects on his 2022 album Couch Sessions, featuring bassist Buster Williams and drummer Lenny White. The project fuses performance with sampled interview excerpts from influential artists,

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18:49

Episode 70: Craig Kilgore- Photographer

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/03/27

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce as she sits down with artist Craig Kilgore, whose work transforms everyday landscapes into meditations on memory, myth, and the human mark on the land. Raised in the post-industrial Midwest, Craig developed an eye for the quiet beauty—and underlying tension—hidden in overlooked places. This spring, he takes that perspective on the road with a series of pop-up exhibitions along Route 66, culminating in a major installation at the Apache Motel in Tucumcari, New

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22:34

Episode 69: Brandon Meeks — Jazz Bassist, Composer &...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/03/20

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for an inspiring conversation with bassist, composer, and cultural advocate Brandon Meeks. A cornerstone of the Midwest creative music scene for over two decades, Meeks is known for his warm tone, deep groove, and fluid movement across jazz, hip-hop, soul, and experimental sounds.Born in Gary and based in Indianapolis, he’s collaborated with artists from Don Cheadle to Robert Glasper. Meeks also curates the acclaimed 3rd Sunday Jazz Concert Series and creates the

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14:20

Episode 68: Andy James — Jazz Vocalist &...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/03/13

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce. On this episode, she sits down with the fiercely original Andy James, an artist who refuses to be boxed in. Rooted in jazz and inspired by legends like Ray Charles, Sarah Vaughan, and Ella Fitzgerald, her sound blends soulful depth with fearless exploration. Her album Happy People fused jazz with flamenco influences from her dance career, while her latest release, The Architect of My Blues, showcases another creative turn.

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30:20

Episode 67: Ernie Paniccioli, Preeminent Visual...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/03/06

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with Ernie Paniccioli—an icon and the preeminent visual historian of Hip Hop. Long before the culture became a global movement, Ernie was there with his camera, documenting its earliest moments in New York City. For more than fifty years, he has captured pioneers like Grandmaster Flash, Queen Latifah, Nas, Chuck D of Public Enemy, and The Notorious B.I.G.. Hear the stories, wisdom, and spirit of a man who helped preserve Hip Hop history. Ernie

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25:19

Episode 66: Iconic rapper, songwriter, and producer...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/02/27

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce. In this episode, Dawn sits down with Cheryl “Salt” James—iconic rapper, songwriter, and producer, best known as a founding member of the Grammy-winning, pioneering hip-hop duo Salt-N-Pepa. Formed in 1985 with Sandra “Pepa” Denton, the group became one of the first successful all-female rap acts, delivering classic hits like “Push It.”

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21:10

Episode 65: Vocalist, pianist and composer Lauren Lee

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/02/20

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a compelling conversation with Lauren Lee, a forward-thinking vocalist, pianist, and composer based in New York City. Originally from the St. Louis, Missouri, metro area, Lauren began her creative music journey as a teenager in the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, an experience that launched her search for a truly original sound.Lauren is the creator of "Vocal Instrumentalism,” a distinctive improvisational approach blending voice, texture, and musical

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22:59

Episode 64: Performing artist and songwriter Makia

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/02/13

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for a dynamic conversation with Makia, a performing artist and songwriter from Chicago’s historic Englewood neighborhood. Makia has energized audiences across the Midwest—from college campuses and house parties to major Chicago stages including Reggie’s Rock Club, Estate Nightclub, Collaboraction Theatre Company, and Schubas. His reach extends nationally, with performances at New York City’s iconic Pyramid Club in the Lower East Side and Miami Beach’s renowned

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15:20

Episode 63: Saxophonist, composer, producer and...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/02/06

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for an inspiring conversation with acclaimed saxophonist Jazmin Ghent. An international smooth jazz and gospel artist, Jazmin is a 2019 NAACP Image Award winner and a six-time Billboard Top 5 performer, with her #1 hit “Kickin’ It Up” leading the way. An accomplished educator and dynamic performer, she has captivated audiences across the U.S., Europe, and Australia. In this episode, Jazmin shares how her name shaped her life’s journey, her passion for teaching,

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14:05

Episode 62: Dr Marvin Curtis and Deana Moore fo...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/01/30

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Marvin Curtis and Deana “Dezha” Moore of Equity in the Arts. This innovative program is dedicated to ensuring all South Bend residents have access to the Morris Performing Arts Center—and to the arts beyond its walls. Learn how Equity in the Arts has launched impactful initiatives, including the South Bend High School Music Festival, Manuscripts in May, Festival of Dance, Movies at the Morris, and Día de los Muertos. Dr

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21:40

Episode 61: Marques Carroll, trumpeter, composer and...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/01/23

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a compelling conversation with acclaimed trumpeter Marques Carroll. Drawing national attention since 1996, Marques has shared the stage with legends including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, and Aretha Franklin. Born into a musical family in St. Louis, he discovered his passion at age eight and developed a rich, versatile musical voice rooted in jazz, classical, and Black American Music traditions. A gifted storyteller, Marques uses his

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23:14

Episode 60: G. Edwin Robinson, 2025 Excellence in...

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/01/16

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for an inspiring conversation with Mr. G. Edwin Robinson, head of the Theatre Arts Program at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, New York. Robinson is the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented jointly by Carnegie Mellon University and The Tony Awards. This prestigious honor recognizes educators who demonstrate exceptional impact on students’ lives and embody the highest standards of the profession. Tune in to The Sauce for a

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25:45

Episode 59: Vocalist, violinist and songwriter Emmaline

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/01/09

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a soulful conversation with vocalist, violinist, and songwriter Emmaline—one of today’s most captivating independent artists. From features in Rolling Stone and American Songwriter to opening for 10-time GRAMMY winner Chaka Khan, Emmaline’s smoky, jazz-infused, genre-fluid voice is turning heads worldwide. In 2023, she made her silver-screen debut in Sweetwater, singing classic standards and a powerful duet with Gary Clark Jr. With nearly 500,000 devoted fans

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15:00

Episode 58: Saxophonist and composer Harold Dawson

The Sauce with Dawn Burns ·

2026/01/02

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a soulful conversation with smooth jazz saxophonist Harold Dawson. Born in Chicago and raised in Kentucky, Dawson discovered his musical calling at thirteen and drew inspiration from artists like Boney James, Kenny G, and Dave Koz. Blending smooth jazz with R&B, funk, and soul, he reflects on key moments that shaped his journey—from meeting Dave Koz to becoming a full-time musician during the pandemic. Dawson also discusses collaboration, mental wellness,

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