Janet Evra — Finding Jazz Through Bossa Nova, Bass, and the Blues

Janet Evra — Finding Jazz Through Bossa Nova, Bass, and the Blues

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with award-winning jazz vocalist, bassist, bandleader, and composer Janet Evra for a conversation about immigration, discovery, the St. Louis jazz scene, and building an international career from the Midwest. Janet shares how a gap year that brought her from Gloucester, England to Principia College in 2006 evolved into a lifelong home in St. Louis. What started as a singer-songwriter path inspired by Joni Mitchell turned toward jazz almost by accident — first through a life-changing encounter with a Getz/Gilberto bossa nova record as a teenager, then through her husband Will, when the two of them decided, early in their marriage, to simply start playing the jazz songs they both loved. That decision led Janet to buy a bass off Craigslist and teach herself an instrument that's now central to her sound. The conversation explores place, community, and the tension between staying rooted and reaching beyond it. Janet discusses her forthcoming album of Burt Bacharach music, recorded at Midtown Sound House in Grand Center and set for release ahead of a September 25th show at City Winery, as well as her online video series St. Louis Music Box, which has connected her with Grammy-winning collaborators far beyond St. Louis. Neil and Janet also dive into the global life of jazz — from Django Reinhardt and Édith Piaf's wartime Paris to bossa nova's journey from Brazil back into American pop — the realities of touring internationally as a St. Louis-based artist, and why building bridges beyond your hometown scene matters as much as being rooted in it. Along the way, they talk singing craft, scat, and the bass players and vocalists who shaped Janet's ear. More than anything, this episode is about welcome — finding a hometown 5,000 miles from where you started, discovering an art form later in life than you'd expect, and using music as a bridge between St. Louis and the wider world. They discuss: * Leaving Gloucester, England for a gap year at Principia College in 2006 * Falling into jazz almost by accident, through her husband Will * Buying a bass on Craigslist and teaching herself to play * Growing up in a "hi-fi" household with her dad's records — Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, and more * What's good (and not-so-good) about the St. Louis jazz scene in 2026 — Blue Strawberry, Pepper, Webster University's jazz program * Why St. Louis musicians struggle to break out and tour nationally and internationally * Singing in French, Portuguese, and Spanish, and building a genre-hopping international sound * Her bossa nova album Love in Rio and the forthcoming Burt Bacharach record * St. Louis Music Box, her online collaboration series with Grammy-winning guests * The vocalists and bass players — from Ella Fitzgerald to Esperanza Spalding — who shaped her musical ear * What she misses (and doesn't) about England, and what St. Louis vs. Europe taught her about pace of life 🎙 New episodes of Meet Me in Music every other Friday CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist/ Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ show@stlbucketlist.com Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com/about-us [https://www.bucketlistcreative.com/about-us] This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors — Swade Dispensary, Brick City Yoga, and Kuva Coffee, 4 Hands Brewing Co.

Royce Martin — From Ragtime to Rap and the Soul of St. Louis

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with pianist, composer, and musical innovator Royce Martin for a conversation about St. Louis history, ragtime, jazz, hip-hop, and the creation of an entirely new musical genre he calls “Swagtime.” Royce shares how a fascination with ragtime evolved into a deeper exploration of St. Louis culture, architecture, race, and the city’s often-overlooked musical legacy. Blending the rhythmic foundations of ragtime with bebop, rap, and modern storytelling, Royce explains how Swagtime became his vehicle for connecting past and present while creating something completely original. The conversation explores the influence of North St. Louis, the city’s rich but complicated history, and the connections between music, place, and community. Royce discusses his upcoming album Once Upon a Swagtime, a concept project inspired by mythology, personal discovery, and the stories embedded within St. Louis itself. Neil and Royce also dive into the evolution of jazz, the social forces that shaped ragtime and bebop, the role of artistic innovation, and why preserving cultural history is essential to imagining a better future. Along the way, they discuss classical music, architecture, storytelling, creative curiosity, and what it means to carry a musical tradition forward while reinventing it for a new generation. More than anything, this episode is about discovery — uncovering forgotten stories, challenging old assumptions, and using music as a bridge between history and possibility. They discuss: * The creation of Royce Martin's original genre, Swagtime * The connection between ragtime, bebop, hip-hop, and storytelling * St. Louis' role in the history of ragtime and jazz * How North St. Louis influenced Royce's music and perspective * The social and political history behind musical movements * Scott Joplin, Charlie Parker, and the evolution of jazz * Architecture, memory, and the cultural identity of St. Louis * Royces upcoming album Once Upon a Swagtime * Preserving tradition while embracing innovation * Live performance and freestyle Swagtime 🎙 New episodes of Meet Me in Music every other Friday 🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist/ Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com 🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ show@stlbucketlist.com Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com/about-us This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors — Swade Dispensary, Brick City Yoga, and Kuva Coffee, 4 Hands Brewing Co.

Tim Convy — Ludo, Comedy & Building a Creative Life in St. Louis

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with musician, comedian, radio host, and longtime St. Louis creative Tim Convy for a conversation about chasing creativity across multiple worlds — from touring in a nationally recognized rock band to building a career in stand-up comedy, radio, and live entertainment. Tim shares the story behind Ludo, the cult-favorite band that grew from DIY tours and local shows into a nationally touring act with appearances on late night television, MTV, and major festival stages. He reflects on the band’s rise, the realities of life on the road, and how Ludo unexpectedly became a phenomenon with fans still flying in from across the country for reunion shows today. The conversation also explores Tim’s transition into comedy and radio after stepping away from music full time. He opens up about rediscovering performance through stand-up, learning to embrace authenticity on-air, and balancing creativity with marriage, fatherhood, and everyday life in St. Louis. Neil and Tim dive into the evolution of radio, the overlap between music and comedy, the importance of community, and how creative ambitions shift over time. They also discuss punk rock Disney shows, touring memories, local music scenes, and why learning to appreciate the present matters just as much as chasing the next milestone. More than anything, this episode is about reinvention — continuing to create, staying connected to what inspires you, and finding new ways to evolve as an artist. They discuss: * The rise, breakup, and reunion of Ludo * Touring, late night TV, and life on MTV * Transitioning from music into stand-up comedy and radio * The evolution of radio and podcast culture * Balancing creativity, family life, and fatherhood * Punk rock Christmas and Disney cover shows * Building creative communities in St. Louis * Learning to appreciate success in the moment * The realities of touring, burnout, and reinvention * Performing Tim’s comedy song “Chiropractor” live 🎙 New episodes of Meet Me in Music every other Friday 🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST: Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist/?utm_source=Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist/?utm_source=Instagram] Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com 🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode? Email ▶ show@stlbucketlist.com [show@stlbucketlist.com] Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com/about-us [https://www.bucketlistcreative.com/about-us] This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors — Swade Dispensary, Brick City Yoga, and Kuva Coffee, 4 Hands Brewing Co.

Thomas Paden — Film Scores, Creative Curiosity & Building Beyond St. Louis

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with St. Louis pianist, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Thomas Paden for a thoughtful conversation about creativity, inspiration, and carving out a musical path that reaches far beyond city limits. Thomas reflects on growing up in a deeply musical family rooted in church, learning through self-exploration, and developing a sound shaped by jazz, gospel, film scores, and modern fusion. He shares how influences ranging from Oscar Peterson to Broadway and movie soundtracks continue to shape the way he approaches music today. The conversation explores everything from artist wellness and self-care to the relationship between music and logic, staying inspired, and maintaining childlike curiosity as an artist. Thomas also opens up about traveling to NAMM, earning artist endorsements, collaborating across the country, and composing music for the Amazon Prime film Meet Cute in Manhattan. Neil and Thomas dive into the realities of building a creative life in St. Louis, discussing the city’s artistic ecosystem, the importance of community, and what it could look like if local creatives had stronger infrastructure and support. More than anything, this episode is about possibility — remaining inspired, staying curious, and continuing to build even when the path isn’t clearly laid out. They discuss:  - Growing up in a multigenerational musical family  - Church roots, jazz influences, and self-taught musicianship  - Health, wellness, and caring for the artist’s body  - Learning through curiosity and exploration  - Film scores, Broadway, and creative inspiration  - Traveling to NAMM and receiving artist endorsements  - Scoring Meet Cute in Manhattan  - The future of St. Louis music and creative infrastructure  - Why artists are ambassadors for their cities  - Staying optimistic and inspired as a creative Chapter Markers:  00:00 Welcome & Meeting Thomas Paden  00:57 Artist Wellness, Self-Care & Breathwork  05:02 Growing Up Around Music & Church  08:24 Self-Taught Learning & Musical Influences  10:26 Reimagining Songs & Musical Identity  11:19 Sponsor Break: Swade Dispensary  12:03 NAMM, Travel & Artist Endorsements  17:23 Creativity, Inspiration & Film Scores  21:13 Youth, Curiosity & Staying Inspired  23:34 Music Theory, Logic & Creativity  27:23 Sponsor Break: Brick City Yoga  27:55 Film Scoring & Meet Cute in Manhattan  30:17 The St. Louis Creative Scene  32:10 Music Infrastructure & Supporting Artists  38:09 Being Creative Ambassadors for St. Louis  43:14 Closing Thoughts  44:22 Sponsor Break: Kuva Coffee  45:07 Live Performance 🎙 New episodes of Meet Me in Music every other Friday 🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST:  Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist/?utm_source=Instagram  Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com 🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST  Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode?  Email ▶ show@stlbucketlist.com  Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com/about-us This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors — Swade Dispensary, Brick City Yoga, and Kuva Coffee, 4 Hands Brewing Co.

Anita Jackson — Gospel Roots, New York Dreams & The Purpose of Art

On this episode of Meet Me in Music, host Neil Salsich sits down with St. Louis vocalist Anita Jackson for a soulful and deeply reflective conversation about music, purpose, and the journey of a lifelong artist. Anita shares her path from discovering gospel music and church harmonies to building a career that took her all the way to New York City. She reflects on the artists and sounds that shaped her—from jazz legends and R&B greats to gospel icons—and how those influences continue to live in her voice today. The conversation dives into the realities of life as a working musician, including her early days in New York with just $100, navigating the highs and lows of the industry, and eventually finding her way back to St. Louis. Anita also shares unforgettable stories from her career, including performing with Cissy Houston and learning what it truly means to be a professional artist. More than anything, this episode explores a powerful idea: that music isn’t just about performance or success—it’s about service. Anita opens up about using art as a way to heal, connect, and give something meaningful to others, while Neil reflects on his own evolving relationship with music. They discuss:  - Growing up with jazz, R&B, and gospel influences  - Discovering harmony and singing in church  - The difference between lead singing and background vocals  - Finding purpose and identity as an artist  - Moving to New York with no plan (and $100)  - Early career struggles and breakthrough moments  - Performing and working with Cissy Houston  - The role of faith and spirituality in music  - Music as therapy, healing, and service  - Navigating the modern music industry and social media  - Returning to St. Louis and building a career locally 🎙 New episodes of Meet Me in Music every other Friday 🔗 CONNECT WITH STL BUCKET LIST:  Instagram ▶ https://www.instagram.com/stlbucketlist/?utm_source=Instagram  Website ▶ stlbucketlist.com 🤝 WORK WITH STL BUCKET LIST  Interested in partnering or sponsoring an episode?  Email ▶ show@stlbucketlist.com  Website ▶ https://www.bucketlistcreative.com/about-us This episode is brought to you by our amazing sponsors — Swade Dispensary, Brick City Yoga, and Kuva Coffee, 4 Hands Brewing Co.