The Eremita Exchange

Kevin Hanson's journey has taken him across multiple musical scenes. As an accomplished guitarist, singer and songwriter, he's been a part of the Rock scene, the Jazz scene, the R&B scene and the Hip-Hop scene, all contributing to his musical and social development. And what an education it's been along the way. As a part of the band Huffamoose, he learned the ups and downs of the music busine...

Jim and Paula Minacci are a couple of Philadelphia gems. Besides being the caretakers of Gloria Dei Old Swedes Church, the second-oldest church in the US, they are also the presenters of the Sexton Sideshow musical series and have a true sense of art and community. Jim and Paul discuss how they have brought art and community together, and they address the rewards and challenges of presenting a sho...

To say Chuck Staab is a well-rounded musician would be a major understatement.  As a Princeton grad, drummer, poet, surfer, percussionist, teacher and writer, he brings a lot to the musical table.  And his life experiences are equally formidable. At 22 he was touring the world with singer-songwriter/recording artist Melody Gardot, and his travels have included 44 countries and enough stories to la...

Michael Tearson is a Hall of Fame radio broadcaster and is without question, a Philadelphia radio icon.  As a pioneer underground DJ, concert host, author, actor and recording artist, he's covered a lot of ground in his career.  He was playing FM rock music in the infancy of FM rock music, when DJs picked their own playlist, and he served that role for legendary Philly radio stations like WXPN, WM...

Phyllis Chapell is one of a kind. With a repertoire that includes songs sung in 13 languages, her style of international music and "world songs" has been developed and honed over many years.  And the result is a singular musical experience for the audience.  She is comfortable in so many genres, including American folk, jazz and popular music, and then add in a dose of her originals to round it al...

Lizanne Knott has been writing songs as long as she can remember.  And those songs have subsequently reached an international audience and resulted in multiple tours of the UK, Ireland, Spain and here in the US.  Her style has been described as "Badass rocker meets wounded bird, with a heavy dose of unapologetic lust thrown into the mix."  Combine that with her talent as a painter and her long con...

Dan Kauffman is a one-man band.  Or at least he could be if there were four or five more of him.  He's an accomplished singer, songwriter, bassist, drummer, guitarist and also plays keyboards.  Since his return from the West Coast in 2008, Dan has performed live on the East Coast and touring on a regular basis, as well as steady studio work.  And for the last decade, he has been organizing and per...

Craig White has over 40 years of recording and sound engineering under his belt, and none of it came as a result of formal training.  As he says, he learned it all from the school of RTFM, "Read the F***iing Manual." And it paid off in a big way.  He has engineering credits on multiple Grammy Nominated and Grammy Winning Projects and has worked with the likes of Patti Labelle, Celine Dion, Tito Pu...

Singer-songwriter Emily Drinker and drummer Josh Steingard make up a dynamic duo, both in life and in music.  Two of Philly's most active musicians, they discuss their individual upbringings in music, their paths to becoming professionals, their recent experience performing onboard a cruise of the Mediterranean, and their upcoming cruise performing on a Caribbean cruise. It's a Bon Voyage episode...

Take a seasoned rapper, a classically-trained harpist with an angel's voice and put them together and you get one of the most unique and original sounds in music.  Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise take this unlikely pairing and unconventional style and deliver it all in positive message that promises the possibility.  And the power of hope.  Hip Hop meets Soul meets New Age.  And they all live happil...

Singer-songwriter Gina Kaz is a music therapist at heart. And if there's one thing she has plenty of, it's heart. After a 17-year career of teaching music to children through her engaging and entertaining children's songs, Gina has just made the challenging transition from being Gina of "Music with Gina" to becoming Gina Kaz, full-time singer songwriter. Join us on her musical journey from where s...

Lisa Schaffer is an entrepreneur in the true sense of the word.  As one of Philadelphia's most respected and sought-after photographers for the better part of two decades, specializing in capturing musicians in their natural environment, she is a benchmark for professionalism and excellence.  And throw being a DJ into the mix, spinning strictly vinyl, her long-time connection to music has led her...

Jay Davidson is one of Philadelphia's premier saxophonists, but he's so much more than that. As a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and promoter, he's been involved in the music industry for most of his life, both onstage and in the studio. Having toured nationally and internationally with the likes of Whitney Houston, Steve Winwood, Cinderella and so many other artists.  And he's always b...

Besides being an accomplished singer songwriter in her own right, Gretchen Schultz has been an integral part of Christine Havrilla’s music over the years as well as a member of Gypsy Fuzz. Gretchen shares her own story and also pays tribute to Christine’s legacy and how their relationship shaped her as a person and as a musician.  

Bob Beach has established himself as one of Philadelphia's premier harmonica players. And although he was born in Philly, his formative years in music occurred elsewhere, which made his musical journey a "coming home" story of sorts.  Whether playing on the East Coast, West Coast or somewhere in between, just put a harmonica in his hands, stand back and let the magic happen. And Bob's story proves...

Whether busking on the streets of Europe and India, or playing Lincoln Center, Ken Ulansey's journey has taken him to some fascinating places, both musically and geographically.  And as one of Philadelphia's most versatile saxaphone players, Ken has delved into a wide variety of styles and genres throughout his career and taken a most unconventional musical path. Join us for the journey.

Phil D'Agostino, who besides being one of Philadelphia's finest bass players, is also the proprietor of the Eremita Cafe, from where this podcast gets its name.  Phil talks about his start in music, his early days in the Philly music scene, his days with Get the Led Out, and what motivated him to jump into the small business world and the difficulties that accompany that choice.  Songwriter, compo...

Chris Arms and Danny Schogger met in London while they were both in their twenties, a couple of young songwriters working for Ruffhouse Records.  That chance encounter has led to a musical relationship that has spanned nearly four decades.  A kid from Philly and a kid from London who both went on to have successful careers as musicians, producers, songwriters and composers.  Glenn talks to them ab...

Jamey Reilly has worn more hats than just about anyone in the music business.  As a player, audio engineer, recording design engineer, booking agent, tour manager, presenter, physical therapist, yoga instructor and now owner and proprietor of Jamey's House of Music, he has taken a most unconventional road, both in music and in life. Whether on the road with Aerosmith, sharing a room with Peter Fra...

After more than forty years of playing electric bass for the likes of James Taylor, Carly Simon, Jefferson Airplane, Jef Lee Johnson, Seamus Egan and supergroup Solas, Jeff Golub and so many others, Chico Huff still considers music a learning process.  In this in-depth exchange, Chico explains his path to and through music and how he has always left his mind open and never been locked into one sty...

Whether it's about playing the southern chitlin circuit as a 12-year-old, being invited by Jimi Hendrix to play sax with him on stage at the Houston Astrodome as a mere teenager; producing two iconic albums with Philadelphia phenom Ernesta Dunbar; or most recently releasing his own album of R&B standards reimagined that's climbing the charts; in this interview with Glenn Barratt, Jerry Burton...

A wonderful talk with guitarist and life-guru Avery Coffee.  Besides touring with newly-inducted member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chubby Checker, Avery plays and records with countless musicians in the Philadelphia area.  And his outlook on life is one that everyone can appreciate.

An in-depth conversation with Fred Berman, one of Philadelphia's premier drummers.  From the first time he picked up drumsticks to recording, playing and touring with well-known artists, nationally and internationally, "Fred the Red" has done it all.

The preview episode of the Eremita Exchange, a podcast that features talks with Philadelphia artists and musicians in a deeper dive into their lives and careers.  Hosted by singer-songwriter Dan May and producer Glenn Barratt.