Like a Pearl

In this episode of Like a Pearl , Daphne Roubini welcomes Brooklyn-based guitarist, singer and songwriter Jefferson Hamer, whose work draws on the rich traditions of folk music, storytelling and song. Jefferson is perhaps best known for his award-winning collaboration with Anaïs Mitchell, Child Ballads , a beautiful collection of traditional English and Scottish ballads reimagined for contemporary...

Martin Christy is one of the pioneers of the modern fine chocolate movement. He is the founder of Seventy%, and co-founder of both the International Chocolate Awards and the International Institute of Chocolate and Cacao Tasting. For decades, Martin has championed a deeper understanding of fine chocolate — its origins, flavours, craftsmanship, and the cacao and people behind it — and today teaches...

Adam Blasberg is an award-winning photographer whose work spans portraiture, advertising, and visual storytelling. A Graphis Gold and Silver Medalist whose photography has also been featured in Applied Arts , Adam has worked on campaigns and creative projects across Canada, the United States, and Europe, helping artists, organizations, and businesses tell compelling stories through images. In this...

In this episode of Like a Pearl , I’m joined by Grazyna Sommerfeld, a tango dancer and co-founder of Alive Tango Victoria. Originally from Poland and now based in Victoria, British Columbia, Grazyna’s life took an unexpected creative turn when she discovered Argentine tango — a passion that would lead her far beyond learning the steps. Over the years, Grazyna travelled regularly to Buenos Aires, s...

This week on Like a Pearl, I’m joined by Vancouver singer-songwriter Beau Wheeler for a conversation about songwriting, creativity, and a life spent making music. A third-generation Vancouverite who comes from a musical family, Beau has long been part of the city’s music scene, with a voice Adrian Mack of the Georgia Straight described as “effortlessly big,” falling somewhere between Chrissie Hynd...

This episode’s guest is Kathleen Nisbet , a Vancouver-based fiddle player, multi-instrumentalist, singer and composer whose creative life moves between folk and traditional music, theatre and dance. Classically trained early on, Kathleen later returned to her Métis roots and has become a distinctive presence in Vancouver’s bluegrass, old-time and folk music communities. Alongside performing and to...

Season 2 of Like a Pearl begins with Mish Aminoff Moon, a photographer and interdisciplinary artist whose work captures the people, character and everyday life of London. Originally an art historian, Mish went on to study photography at the University of Westminster. She taught interdisciplinary cultural studies at the Open University and later focused on teaching film studies in adult education....

Today's guest is Chris Gestrin, pianist, composer, producer, engineer, and one of Canada's most versatile and respected musicians. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music, Chris has built an extraordinary career spanning jazz, film, television, pop, rock, and experimental music. As a pianist, composer, producer, and engineer, he has contributed to more than 500 recordings, collaborated with...

Today's guest is Sally Buck, photographer, art historian, and creator of the workshop Looking to See . An award-winning photographer and art educator, Sally has spent decades helping people engage more deeply with art, photography, memory, and public space. With degrees in Art History and Visual and Performing Arts Education, she has taught at institutions including the Peggy Guggenheim Collection...

Today's guest is Jodi Proznick, award-winning bassist, composer, educator, and Artistic Director of the VSO Jazz Program. One of Canada's most accomplished jazz musicians, Jodi has built a remarkable career as a performer, bandleader, and advocate for jazz. She is the founder of Rhea Records, an independent label supporting Canadian jazz artists, and the leader of the JUNO-nominated Ostara Project...

Today's guest is Steph Avery-Reynolds, a UK-based artist, maker, and creator of Vivat Matriarchia —artefacts from an imagined matriarchy. Over the course of her creative life, Steph has worked as a hairdresser in Soho, London, spent more than a decade writing for television, created public murals and community arts projects, and developed her practice as a ceramic artist. Through Vivat Matriarchia...

Today's guest is Ulysses Owens Jr., drummer, educator, and bandleader. A three-time Grammy Award winner, Ulysses is one of the most respected drummers in jazz today. Described by The New York Times as a musician who "takes a back seat to no one," he has performed with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Christian McBride, Kurt Elling, Gregory Porter, and Joey Alexander. In addition to his performin...

Today's guest is Fiona Black, Artistic Director of the Vancouver Folk Music Festival. Throughout her career, Fiona has helped shape British Columbia's cultural landscape as a presenter, programmer, and advocate for the arts. Before joining the Vancouver Folk Music Festival, Fiona led programming at the BlueShore Financial Centre for the Performing Arts at Capilano University, curating an eclectic...

Today's guest is Paul Pigat—award-winning guitarist, songwriter, arranger, bandleader, and guitar builder. A Gretsch-endorsed artist, Paul is internationally respected for his remarkable versatility, moving effortlessly between jazz, rockabilly, blues, country, swing, and roots music. Best known as the frontman of Cousin Harley, Paul has toured extensively throughout North America and Europe and h...

Today's guest is Cory Weeds, founder of Cellar Music Group, saxophonist, producer, and one of Canada's leading champions of jazz. For more than two decades, Cory has been a driving force in Canada's jazz scene through his work as a performer, presenter, record producer, and entrepreneur. Through Cellar Music Group, he has helped launch and document the work of hundreds of artists, building one of...

Today's guest is John Orysik, co-founder of the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. For nearly four decades, John has helped shape Canada's jazz landscape through his work as a broadcaster, presenter, producer, arts administrator, and advocate for live music. After beginning his career as a jazz journalist and radio host, he became one of the founding forces behind Coastal Jazz and the Vancouve...