The Sauce with Dawn Burns

Join Dawn Burns on The Sauce with Dawn Burns for a spotlight on internationally acclaimed saxophonist, artist, and composer Mike Casey. Selected for the GRAMMYs® NEXT Class of 2023 and featured nine times in Amazon Music, Pandora, and Spotify’s annual Best Jazz Of selections, the Los Angeles-based musician blends adventurous creativity, poetic melodies, and cinematic storytelling. Inspired by his...

Join Dawn Burns for an episode spotlighting Isabella Isherwood. She’s a Chicago native and accomplished actor, vocalist, pianist, music director, and conductor. Isabella has shared her artistry on stage and screen both nationally and internationally. She is a proud alum of The Second City, Acting Studio Chicago, and the Jazz Institute of Chicago. Tune in to hear what inspires her creativity and he...

Join Dawn Burns for an exciting episode spotlighting the South Bend Civic Theatre and its Executive Director, Aaron Nichols! An award-winning actor, director, and designer, Aaron has dedicated more than 25 years to volunteering at the CIVIC and theatres throughout the region. As the South Bend Civic Theatre prepares to celebrate its 70th anniversary, Aaron shares a behind-the-scenes look at the ex...

On this episode of The Sauce with Dawn Burns, we bring you The Sauce Live, recorded at The Acorn in Three Oaks, Michigan, featuring indie-folk-rock duo The Bergamot! High-school sweethearts Jillian Speece and Nathaniel Paul Hoff transformed their humble beginnings into a nationwide musical journey, performing in all 50 states. Blending heartfelt folk, infectious pop, and soaring rock, their music...

On this episode of The Sauce, host Dawn Burns brings you The Sauce Live, recorded at Goshen Brewing Company in Goshen, Indiana, featuring the electrifying instrumental groove-jazz trio Sugar Bomb. Formed in Asheville, North Carolina, in 2023, Sugar Bomb features Jacob Bruner on keyboards, Eli Kahn on bass and guitar, and Joe Enright on drums. Drawing inspiration from jazz, classical, fusion, hip-h...

On this episode of The Sauce , host Dawn Burns shares her conversation with Jack Barksdale. Jack is a Texas-born folk, blues, and Americana singer-songwriter with a remarkable musical story that began at just nine years old. Drawing inspiration from the legends of folk, rock, and blues, Jack has developed a distinctive sound and a talent well beyond his years. He has already shared the stage with...

On this episode of The Sauce , host Dawn Burns welcomes Heidi Smith, Executive Director of the School of American Music (SAM) in Three Oaks, Michigan. Since January 2025, Heidi has expanded SAM’s community impact through innovative programming, fundraising, and strategic partnerships. She spearheaded Jazz Fest – The Art of the Song, launched The Music Playground youth music camp, and created Eve o...

On this episode of The Sauce, host Dawn Burns welcomes jazz singer-songwriter, recording artist, educator, and entrepreneur Michele Thomas, a Chicago-rooted artist whose music reflects jazz's evolving spirit—improvisatory, searching, and deeply connected to life. Drawing inspiration from her gospel roots and a love of R&B, soul, folk, and contemporary music, Michele brings a rich emotional...

On this episode of The Sauce, host Dawn Burns welcomes Alex Anest, an American guitarist, composer, educator, and bandleader based in Southeast Michigan. With fourteen recordings as a leader or co-leader and appearances on twenty-five additional albums, Alex has built an impressive and diverse career in music. A graduate of the University of Michigan and Bowling Green State University, he has also...

On this episode of The Sauce, host Dawn Burns welcomes acclaimed UK singer, songwriter and artist Louise Golbey! The voice behind the global Mercedes EQS advertising campaign, Louise is a BBC Introducing alumna who has performed at Glastonbury and London’s legendary Ronnie Scott’s, The Jazz Cafe and The 606. She’s shared stages with George Benson, En Vogue, Roberta Flack, Roy Ayers, Eric Benét, Pa...

On this episode of The Sauce, host Dawn Burns welcomes South Bend poet and educator Jenario Morgan. A paraprofessional at Riley High School, Jenario teaches life skills and has built a special connection with his students. But beyond the classroom, he’s a poet whose words draw from life, family, the challenges of being Black, and his experience as a Black Catholic. Jenario hopes his poetry can ser...

On this episode of *The Sauce*, host Dawn Burns welcomes Toronto’s “Queen of Vibes,” award-winning instrumental fusion artist Desarae Dee. With more than 70,000 social media followers and millions of views, Desarae has built an international audience with her genre-defying sound. A 2022 SiriusXM Black Canadian Music Award recipient and GRAMMY® Voting Member, she’s toured with Super Duty Tough Work...

Get ready for a musical journey unlike anything you've heard before! On this episode of The Sauce, host Dawn Burns welcomes the creative force behind FlamenKora, the groundbreaking trio blending the hypnotic sounds of the West African kora, the fiery passion of Spanish flamenco guitar, and the bold spirit of jazz trumpet. Dawn sits down with acclaimed trumpeter and composer Volker Goetze to ex...

On this episode of The Sauce Live, host Dawn Burns brings you an unforgettable performance by saxophonist and composer Kris Brownlee, recorded live at the Crystal Ballroom in the Lerner Theatre during the 38th Annual Elkhart Jazz Festival. You'll also hear Dawn's conversation with Kris about the inspiration behind his music, the festival performance, and what's next in his creative jou...

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with acclaimed saxophonist, educator, and composer Anthony Bruno, recorded in 2023. Rooted in jazz and inspired by R&B and soul, Bruno has performed with Wynton Marsalis, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Larry Carlton, Bobby Watson, Bobby Broom, and Mary Wilson of The Supremes. In this interview, Anthony discusses his latest album and shares...

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* as we remember the life and legacy of Kelly Burgét, founder of UZIMA! African Drum and Dance and a beloved force in our local arts community. In this special encore conversation, Dawn is joined by Executive Director Michelle Jewel and Artistic Director Pierre Batiste to reflect on Kelly's vision, passion, and enduring impact. They also share details about **...

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with Peruvian multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator Lucia Sarmiento. Based in Minneapolis, Lucia has become a vibrant force on the city's music scene and has toured nationally with international pop star Pitbull on saxophone and guitar. Influenced by her South American roots, jazz, and '80s fusion, Lucia creates music that reflec...

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for a conversation with acclaimed saxophonist and composer Tim Cunningham. After starring in both football and music at Michigan State University, Cunningham turned down a free agent opportunity with the Dallas Cowboys to follow his passion for the saxophone. That decision launched a remarkable career blending smooth jazz and soulful R&B. He has shared the s...

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for a conversation with Polish bassist and composer Kinga Głyk, one of contemporary jazz’s most exciting young voices. Born in 1997, Kinga began performing at age 12 with her family’s Głyk P.I.K Trio. Blending funk, fusion, and modern jazz grooves, her dynamic electric bass style continues to redefine the instrument’s role in contemporary music.

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for a conversation with legendary DJ and producer **Terminator X**, the original DJ and founding member of the groundbreaking hip-hop group Public Enemy. Known as the "Silent Assassin," Terminator X helped shape the group's signature sound with his innovative turntablism and unforgettable scratching on classics like *Rebel Without a Pause*. He also r...

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation and electrifying live performance from Toronzo Cannon & The Chicago Way, joined by The Jack Whittle Trio, recorded at The Acorn in Three Oaks, Michigan. A leading voice in contemporary blues, Toronzo Cannon is celebrated for his deeply personal songwriting, fiery guitar playing, and soulful vocals. Drawing inspiration from legends such as Mu...

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for a conversation recorded in 2022.with acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, educator, and radio host Billy Foster. With a career spanning more than 35 years, Foster has performed with jazz greats including Art Farmer, James Moody, Jimmy Heath, and Ernie Watts. A longtime educator at Valparaiso University and Indiana University Northwest, he has helped shape gener...

Join host Dawn Burns on “The Sauce” for a conversation with Jean-Philippe Rio-Py — known worldwide as RIOPY. RIOPY’s far-reaching music has surpassed 1.3 billion streams and filled concert halls across Europe, North America and Asia — but behind the success is a deeper story of recovery. Be Love was born from a profoundly personal battle: the fight to recover when illness nearly silenced him. For...

Join host Dawn Burns on *The Sauce* for a conversation with rising saxophonist, composer, and producer Kobie Dozier. Raised in Los Angeles and shaped by the rich Leimert Park music community, Kobie studied with legendary saxophonist Ricky Washington and was inspired by jazz mentor Reggie Andrews. A graduate of The New School, Kobie is building momentum with his genre-blending sound rooted in jazz,...

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 Fell...