The Sauce with Dawn Burns

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with South Bend–based singer-songwriter, musician, and somatic therapist Dena Woods. Her music explores healing and human connection, offering space for deep reflection and emotional honesty. As a songwriter, Dena unpacks moments, examines emotion, and studies what it means to be human. Performing both solo and with her band The Dena Woods Project, she recently released a three-song EP, Wrathful Creature, and is currently self-recording her next musical project.

Join host Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a soulful conversation with Montreal-based, British-born singer-songwriter Dawn Tyler Watson, a powerhouse among the international blues elite. Known for her electrifying performances and genre-blending style, Watson infuses Jazz, Soul, and Gospel with an edge that redefines modern Blues. A JUNO Award winner and multiple Maple Blues Award honoree, she’s toured five continents and shared stages with Jeff Healey, Koko Taylor, and Cyndi Lauper.

Join Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with trumpeter Marques Carroll, an artist who blends a mastery of musical styles to create evocative works that speak directly to the soul. Rooted in the tradition of Black American Music (BAM), Marques challenges and reimagines the boundaries of Blues, Funk, Soul, Neo-Soul, and Hip-Hop—pushing each into new realms of expression.

Join Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with Lakecia Benjamin, a 5x GRAMMY-nominated New York saxophonist, arranger, composer, and educator. Known for blending R&B, funk, and diverse jazz traditions, Benjamin’s warm, resonant tone has drawn comparisons to Johnny Hodges. She honed her craft with legends like Clark Terry and Terri Lyne Carrington and has accompanied acclaimed vocalists including Gregory Porter and Theo Crocker. Discover the artistry of one of today’s most dynamic voices.

Join Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a powerful conversation with Dr. Emorja Roberson—the first African American to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Notre Dame. With a focus on African American repertoire and sacred music, Dr. Roberson is now shaping the next generation as Assistant Professor of Music and African American Studies at Oxford College of Emory University. Don’t miss this inspiring story of artistry, scholarship, and legacy.

Join Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a powerful conversation about the groundbreaking documentary The Invisible Player: The Rosemary Sanders Story. Dawn sits down with film creator Dr. Marvin Curtis, producer Chuck Fry, and videographer Ryan Blaske to explore the remarkable life of Rosemary Sanders, the first African American musician in the South Bend Symphony during the 1940s. Hidden from public recognition, her story reveals systemic injustices in American orchestras while inspiring solutions for a more equitable future.

Join Dawn Burns on The Sauce for a conversation with Rafael Chávez y Moreno. Born in Puebla, Mexico, Rafael moved to Goshen, Indiana at fifteen and has since become a pillar of the Michiana music scene. From Spanish rock with Lalo Cura to touring nationally with Kansas Bible Company and supporting acts like Rich Ruth and Anne McCue, Rafael continues to push creative boundaries. Hear about his journey, influences, and his powerful new solo project, Un camino.

Join Dawn Burns for a conversation with Salin, a Thai-born, Canada-based Juno-nominated drummer, producer, and composer. Her music fuses Northeast Thailand’s enchanting sounds with 70’s West African psychedelia, layered in modern soulful production. Exploring identity, spirituality, and humanity—with plenty of fun—Salin crafts a unique, genre-bending sonic journey for listeners.

Join Dawn Burns for a conversation with TSwang, a genre-blending artist redefining sound and soul. With roots in the Midwest and the South, he’s crafted a signature style he calls FunkHop—a bold fusion of R&B, Hip Hop, Soul, and Pop. TSwang’s smooth vocals, hip-hop swagger, funk-driven grooves, and streetwise storytelling come together to create a fresh sound.

Join Dawn Burns for a conversation with Patti Shaffner, a versatile vocalist whose artistry spans Folk, Blues, Jazz, Theater, and Improvisational Singing. A gifted songwriter and seasoned performer, Patti’s music blends thought-provoking lyrics with heartfelt emotion, creating songs that speak to our universal longing for love, hope, and connection. Known for her dynamic stage presence and soulful delivery, she pours her heart into every note, leaving audiences deeply moved. Experience the power and passion of Patti Shaffner’s music on this episode.