Meet Me in Music

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with award-winning jazz vocalist, bassist, bandleader, and composer Janet Evra for a conversation about immigration, discovery, the St. Louis jazz scene, and building an international career from the Midwest. Janet shares how a gap year that brought her from Gloucester, England to Principia College in 2006 evolved into a lifelong hom...

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with pianist, composer, and musical innovator Royce Martin for a conversation about St. Louis history, ragtime, jazz, hip-hop, and the creation of an entirely new musical genre he calls “Swagtime.” Royce shares how a fascination with ragtime evolved into a deeper exploration of St. Louis culture, architecture, race, and the city’s of...

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with musician, comedian, radio host, and longtime St. Louis creative Tim Convy for a conversation about chasing creativity across multiple worlds — from touring in a nationally recognized rock band to building a career in stand-up comedy, radio, and live entertainment. Tim shares the story behind Ludo, the cult-favorite band that gre...

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with St. Louis pianist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Thomas Paden for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, inspiration, and carving out a musical path that reaches far beyond city limits. Thomas reflects on growing up in a deeply musical family rooted in church, learning through self-exploration, and developing a sound...

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with St. Louis vocalist Anita Jackson for a soulful and deeply reflective conversation about music, purpose, and the journey of a lifelong artist. Anita shares her path from discovering gospel music and church harmonies to building a career that took her all the way to New York City. She reflects on the artists and sounds that shaped...

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with St. Louis artist Mattie Schell for an honest and wide-ranging conversation about creativity, growth, and what it really means to live life as a working musician. Mattie shares her journey from small-town roots and family jam sessions to performing on stages alongside some of the most respected musicians in the industry. She open...

On the very first episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with acclaimed St. Louis artist Brian Owens for a powerful conversation about performance, purpose, and the legacy of music in the city. Brian shares how he approaches the stage—not as something to control, but as a shared experience with the audience. From overcoming nerves to learning how to truly connect in the moment, h...