Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a compelling conversation with acclaimed trumpeter Marques Carroll. Drawing national attention since 1996, Marques has shared the stage with legends including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Christian McBride, Wynton Marsalis, and Aretha Franklin. Born into a musical family in St. Louis, he discovered his passion at age eight and developed a rich, versatile musical voice rooted in jazz, classical, and Black American Music traditions. A gifted storyteller, Marques uses his artistry to bridge genres and move the soul.

Tune in to The Sauce for an inspiring journey through music, legacy, and creative expression.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for an inspiring conversation with Mr. G. Edwin Robinson, head of the Theatre Arts Program at Boys and Girls High School in Brooklyn, New York. Robinson is the recipient of the 2025 Excellence in Theatre Education Award, presented jointly by Carnegie Mellon University and The Tony Awards. This prestigious honor recognizes educators who demonstrate exceptional impact on students’ lives and embody the highest standards of the profession. Tune in to The Sauce for a powerful discussion on education, creativity, and life’s boundless possibilities.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a soulful conversation with vocalist, violinist, and songwriter Emmaline—one of today’s most captivating independent artists. From features in Rolling Stone and American Songwriter to opening for 10-time GRAMMY winner Chaka Khan, Emmaline’s smoky, jazz-infused, genre-fluid voice is turning heads worldwide. In 2023, she made her silver-screen debut in Sweetwater, singing classic standards and a powerful duet with Gary Clark Jr. With nearly 500,000 devoted fans online and millions of Spotify streams, Emmaline continues to shine on stage and screen. Her latest EP, Retro Kind of Love, blends sultry vocals, heartfelt songwriting, and virtuosic jazz violin into a timeless soundscape. Tune in to The Sauce with Dawn Burns, for an inspiring, behind-the-music story.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a soulful conversation with smooth jazz saxophonist Harold Dawson. Born in Chicago and raised in Kentucky, Dawson discovered his musical calling at thirteen and drew inspiration from artists like Boney James, Kenny G, and Dave Koz. Blending smooth jazz with R&B, funk, and soul, he reflects on key moments that shaped his journey—from meeting Dave Koz to becoming a full-time musician during the pandemic. Dawson also discusses collaboration, mental wellness, and his upcoming single with Jackiem Joyner. Tune in for an inspiring story.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a compelling conversation with NEA Jazz Master, Doris Duke Artist, and four-time GRAMMY Award–winning drummer, composer, producer, and educator Terri Lyne Carrington. She’s joined by Washington, DC–born and North Carolina–raised vocalist and composer Christie Dashiell.

This year, Carrington released the critically acclaimed album We Insist 2025!, a powerful reimagining of Max Roach’s Freedom Now Suite. The highly celebrated project reflects on the past while challenging the present—honoring Roach’s original masterpiece and furthering Carrington’s lifelong commitment to using jazz as a force for social activism.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about music, legacy, and the enduring power of jazz to spark change. Photo Credit Erik Bardin

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a compelling conversation with author, NPR affiliate broadcaster, writer, and essayist Sid Shroyer. Sid joins Dawn to discuss his book, When Once Destroyed: a project that began as a letter to his grandson about his father and evolved into a powerful work of investigative research and reporting.

The book uncovers the hidden story behind the destruction of his father’s boyhood home and the erasure of the town of Somerset, Indiana. The title, When Once Destroyed, is drawn from Oliver Goldsmith’s poem “The Deserted Village,”echoing the lasting impact of loss, memory, and place.

Tune in for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation about history, legacy, and the story he wanted to share with his grandson..

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for an inspiring conversation with Jennifer Strombeck and Chad Rajski about the exciting creative resources available at Studio 304, located inside the St. Joseph County Public Library. This unique public space offers free access to tools and technology for producing print, video, and audio projects—along with a knowledgeable staff ready to help turn ideas into reality. Studio 304 fosters collaboration and creativity through guided access to cutting-edge media tools, including computer workstations, scanners, color printers, 3D printers, and professional recording studios. Artists and creators can build new skills through one-on-one support, classes, and special events. Recorded in November 2023, this conversation highlights the thrill of offering such an inclusive space—and the vital role community plays in helping creators learn, connect, and thrive.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with Chicago-based trumpeter, composer, and educator Markus Rutz, whose bluesy, soulful style and “gorgeous” tone have earned him both local and national acclaim. A dedicated mid-career artist, Rutz continues to make his mark through expressive performances, thoughtful compositions, and a deep commitment to teaching.In this episode of The Sauce, Markus shares insights into his artistic journey, the influences shaping his sound, and the creative process behind his most recent projects. Tune in for an inspiring and music-filled conversation with one of Chicago’s standout trumpeters.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for an illuminating conversation with trumpeter and composer Chad McCullough. Praised for his “solos of mercurial poetry and high craft” (Chicago Tribune), the Chicago-based artist has earned an international reputation for music that is as thoughtful as it is compelling. Critic Dan McClenaghan notes, “He is a rare instrumentalist who makes each note feel imbued with deeper meaning—measured and deliberate, often introspective, sometimes gorgeously melancholic, and always rich with mood and atmosphere.”Tune in for this unforgettable episode of The Sauce Live, where artistry, insight, and creative spirit come together.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a dynamic conversation with two musical powerhouses: BJ Leiderman, the iconic composer behind NPR’s most recognizable theme music, and acclaimed singer-songwriter Kenny White, known for his sharp, soulful storytelling. Together, they share the journeys that shaped their signature sounds—from BJ’s legendary public radio themes to Kenny’s celebrated albums and studio work. Don’t miss this inspiring, music-filled episode with two masters of their craft.