The Sauce with Dawn Burns

Join Dawn Burns on The Sauce as we spotlight the extraordinary Corky Siegel! An internationally acclaimed blues harmonica player, pianist, singer-songwriter, and composer, Corky is a true musical pioneer. Co-founder of the legendary Siegel-Schwall Band and a Blues Hall of Fame inductee, he revolutionized music by blending blues and classical traditions through his groundbreaking creation, Chamber Blues.

From Chicago’s blues roots to redefining musical boundaries, Corky’s remarkable legacy deserves the spotlight! 

Tune in to 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 mixed-heritage upbringing, ADHD, and fascination with cognitive dissonance, Mike brings a distinctive perspective and unmistakable voice to contemporary jazz.  Discover the artist behind the music on The Sauce with Dawn Burns!

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 exciting plans, special events, and community celebrations in store.

Tune in to hear how the CIVIC continues to bring stories to life, inspire creativity, and enrich our community through the magic of theatre!

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 her most recent health scare. That’s on The Sauce with Dawn Burns.

photo credit: 1 joe-mazza-chicago-brave-lux-inc-3817

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 inspires connection and community.

From their breakout single “P.D.R.” to their latest album, Give Love Away (2025), featuring the Notre Dame Children’s Choir, discover their remarkable story, creative journey, and passion for making a difference through music—all with Dawn Burns on The Sauce!

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-hop, and electronic music, the trio blends it all into a genre-defying sound driven by adventurous compositions, fearless improvisation, and high-energy performances.

Turn up the volume and experience the music, groove, and energy of Sugar Bomb—plus Dawn’s conversation with the band—on The Sauce with Dawn Burns!

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 acclaimed artists including Wynonna Judd, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Bruce Robison, John Fullbright, and Hayes Carll. Jack talks about his music and his message on The Sauce with Dawn Burns!

BrooksBurris Photo Credit

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 of the Eve, an annual fundraising gala celebrating music and community. Discover Heidi’s vision, passion, and commitment to bringing people together through music on The Sauce with Dawn Burns!

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 and musical vocabulary to her work. Her warm, distinctive voice has earned praise from acclaimed artists Kevin Mahogany and Grammy Award-winning jazz legend Yusef Lateef…on The Sauce! Photo credit Michele Thomas by Kyle LaMere_X1A1618

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 studied with acclaimed musicians Miles Okazaki, Benny Green, and Ellen Rowe. Join Dawn Burns and Alex Anest for a conversation about his musical journey, creative influences, and life as a composer, guitarist, and educator—on The Sauce!