November 23rd SZALON!

1. "Recollection: Through Eyes and Emotion" presented as a video experience combining shamanic illustrations  by Mia Bosna with an original piano composition by Stephen Dijoseph that draws upon romantic/impressionistic influences

2.Gabriel Feldt (tenor), Megnot Toggia (soprano) and Sira Jittapirom (piano) perform French duets by Ernest Chausson and Gabriel Fauré

3. Phyllis Chapell & Ken Ulansey perform two originals that offer gratitude and an Eastern European song celebrating the love of community

4. Hailey Brinnel & Andrew Carson perform jazz standards and non-traditional repertoire arranged in a jazz style for the unique instrumentation of voice and trumpet

5. Erica Peel (flute), Paul Demers (bass clarinet) and Aaron Stewart (tenor saxophone) conducted by John Conahan perform “YIP and AL”, Part One of a multi-media musical theatre work Don’t Be Depressed by Larry Weaner

6. Slowey and the Boats: (Isaac “Slowey” Stanford, steel guitar; Mike Hlatky, bass; David Streim, piano; Brennen Ernst, guitar; and Fred Berman, drums) perform steel guitar instrumental music incorporating melodies from the Hawaiian islands and around the world

7. Tom Begich and Sarah Sledge return to the Salon from Anchorage, Alaska with their original singer/songwriter sound to bring a little musical balance to a swirling and changing world

8. Erin Frances and Lonnie Jack Davis perform Erin’s original works on voice and guitar

9. Martha Anne Toll reads from her new novel, Duet for One, and pianist Stephanie Ben-Salem performs Courante, from J. S. Bach’s French Suite No. 2 in C minor

10. Madisun Bailey performs solo, singing 2 original songs, “Aint That Strange” and “Feel Dont Dwell”

Mia Bosna and Stephen DiJoseph

Mia Bosna is an illustrator and Shamanic Practitioner based in Lancaster, PA. Mia has combined her talents as a Visionary Artist and Shamanic Practitioner to create a healing story for the individual that also reflect universal issues of the heart. Her latest project: “We Are Nature” is a dynamic collection of paintings that explore the interconnectedness of all living beings and invites viewers to consider humanity’s place within the natural world. The concept of humans being separate from other living beings is like leaves of a tree believing they have no relationship to the roots.

Mia’s “Journey to Rewilding Oracle Cards” featuring threatened species will be reissued in 2026! Her work is currently being shown at The VanDusen Botanical Gardens in Vancouver, BC.  Information about commissioned illustrations, Shamanic Portraits and shamanic couseling can be found on her website.

Links:
MiaBosna.com
Instagram: @journey2rewilding
Etsy: etsy.com/shop/Bosnart

Anything can happen when musician, composer, and filmmaker Stephen DiJoseph enters a studio or takes the stage. Whether it’s the percussive groves of his solo guitar and vocals, the quirk and funk of his trademark Jazz/Classical “Pianopoetry”, the Treance-Electronica of his “Whirld Music Trio” Project or the east and flow of his ambient orchestral productions. DiJoseph is an artist of many skills. He writes, “It’s always first about what I feel. Creativity and humor are central to performing and making music for me. It’s what inspires me and in turn, what I hope to inspire in others”. What also makes DiJoseph unique is another very “Outspoken Collaborator” as he refers to his experience of living with Tourette’s Syndrom. “Tourette’s showed up for me around the same time as my passion for music, around 6. So, it’s always been the ‘Art in the Syndrome’ for me.” Stephen’s autobiographical movie A SynapTic Adventure: Tourette’s And Beyond won best emerging documentary in the Bucks Fever Film Festival. In it, DiJoseph tells the story of growing up in “The Dark” as he explains…trying to understand the cause of the strange urges, movements and compulsions that filled his childhood. Conditions, that to this day, both challenge and propel his mission to create and inspire. He has created 9 CD’s, multiple music video productions and has performed widely in the US and abroad.

Links:

www.stephendijoseph.com
www.stephendijoseph.bandcamp.com/music

Videos:

Gabriel Feldt, Megnot Toggia, and Sirapat Jittapirom

Based in Philadelphia, tenor Gabriel Feldt, soprano Megnot Toggia and pianist Sirapat Jittapirom started their musical partnership at the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University in 2019. After college years, the trio created the Not So Opera recital series in 2023. Nestled within the larger Not So Latin initiative, which has been described as “The Tiny Desk of South Philly”, these intimate, relaxed and entertaining cabaret-style performances offer a fresh perspective on classical music for knowledgeable patrons and newcomers alike. The programs created at Not So Latin have had encore performances in venues across the city as well as across the ocean. At the end of 2024, the trio made their African debut in the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa. 

Individually, each member serves as active performers. Gabriel has made appearances with Opera Philadelphia, Raylynmor Opera, Temple University and the Curtis Institute of Music. Megnot has performed in roles with Raylynmor Opera, Opera Ithaca, the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and Temple University. And Sirapat has worked with Opera Delaware, Opera Montana as well as numerous choral ensembles throughout Philadelphia. She currently serves as a collaborative pianist at University of Delaware and Philadelphia Youth Choral Ensembles, and coaches the undergraduate Opera Workshop at Temple University. 

Links:

@notsolatin
@gabrielfeldt
@megnot
@sirapatj

Video:

Phyllis Chappell and Ken Ulansey

Vocalist/guitarist Phyllis Chapell has been named one of the top 500 jazz vocalists of all time. She has recorded multiple CDs and videos and has performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Latin America.

Ken Ulansey, Penn Council for the Arts winner, plays sax, clarinet and pennywhistle. Besides leading his own wedding band (Philadelphia Magazine's Best of Philly!) that specializes in Swing, Motown, Klezmer, Latin, Pop, Zydeco and Oldies, Ken has toured extensively in Europe, Asia and the States, and has played on nearly 200 recordings.

Links:
www.phyllischapell.com
www.kenulansey.com

Videos:

Hailey Brinnel and Andrew Carson

For over a decade, trombonist/vocalist Hailey Brinnel and trumpeter Andrew Carson have been recording and performing together, bringing their wide-ranging experiences and shared love of jazz to stages around the world. Both based in Philadelphia, their collaboration highlights Hailey’s internationally recognized artistry—praised by GRAMMY.com and DownBeat Magazine—and Andrew’s versatility as a sought-after multi-instrumentalist and arranger. Together, they have appeared at premier venues and festivals such as Dizzy’s Club, B.B. King Blues Club, The Kimmel Center, Birdland, and The North Sea Jazz Festival, sharing the stage with a diverse roster of renowned artists from Wycliffe Gordon and Ingrid Jensen to Cory Henry and Victor Wooten. Their musical partnership blends deep respect for jazz traditions with a fresh, unique voice that resonates across audiences and styles.

Links:

https://www.haileybrinnel.com/
https://www.carsonsmusic.com/

Videos:

Larry Weaner and Friends

Larry Weaner is a self-taught composer and librettist. He has received musical guidance over many years from acclaimed composer Andrea Clearfield. Larry's quirky compositions cut across multiple genres and have a unique personal quality. His musical theatre work, Yip and Al, was performed at the Philly Fringe Festival. Larry is also an internationally recognized landscape designer who authored the book Garden Revolution: How Our Landscapes Can Be a Source of Environmental Change, which won The Book Award from the American Horticultural Society. Weaner also developed a multimedia lecture that illustrates the relationship between garden design and musical composition. It was presented at the New York Botanic Garden’s Winter Lecture Series in 2021.


Conductor:

John Conahan is composer, conductor, pianist and vocalist who has performed worldwide.

Musicians:

Erica Peel is a versatile flutist and piccoloist, praised for her effortless and authentic performances. She plays in the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Bass clarinetist Paul Demers has been a member of The Philadelphia Orchestra since 2006

Born in Paris, France, Saxophonist Aaron Stewart has performed with the Delaware Symphony Orchestra, the Allentown Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Ballet in venues from the Kimmel Center to Carnegie Hall.

Slowey and The Boats

Set sail with Slowey and The Boats! The Philadelphia-based quintet has been bringing their breezy and evocative sound to audiences since the group came together behind steel guitarist Isaac Stanford in early 2012. Specializing in obscure and overlooked melodies from far and wide, the group can transition seamlessly from a traditional Hawaiian melody to an Argentinian tango followed by a classic of the American Song book. The band has a long-running residency at Dawson St Pub in Philadelphia where they host an afternoon barbecue one Sunday every month. The band is also featured regularly at Longwood Gardens as part of their beer garden performance series. In addition to Stanford on the steel guitar, the quintet is currently comprised of David Streim on the Wurlitzer or Fender Rhodes, Mike Hlatky on upright bass, Fred Berman on drums, and Brennen Ernst on guitar.

Links:

Band Website: https://www.sloweyandtheboats.com/
Instagram: @sloweyandtheboats
Venmo Tips: https://venmo.com/u/Isaac-Stanford-1
YouTube Channel
Venmo

Videos:

Tom Begich and Sarah Sledge

When singer/songwriters Tom Begich and Sarah Sledge aren’t working for their community, they are on-tour performing original music around the country. Tom has released 5 solo CDs, a compilation music/poetry CD with acclaimed poet Tim Mason, and has published “Six Truths” a book of  50 sonnets. Tom and Sarah have been coming to the Salon for over a decade and are working on their newest music compilation now, “Stories Told” – a tapestry of love, life, and the human condition.

Links:

Website: www.tombegich.com has our music and tour schedule
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TSBAnchorage     Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/56oXaK1q8XIJPtd56mOtXk

Erin Frances

Erin Frances is a Philadelphia-based singer, songwriter, and actor. She is originally from Woodland, California and graduated from Temple University with her BFA In Musical Theatre. Most recently, she has performed at the Arden Theatre Company in “Spelling Bee”and has worked with new-musical writers in New York for the upcoming “The Mountains Are Burning.” In addition to her theatre work, Erin has been working with producer Lonnie Davis on her upcoming album, inspired by genres of indie rock, singer/songwriter, folk, and musical theatre. She currently has four singles out on streaming services in promotion of this album. Erin is also a music educator at New Groove Music Studio, teaching all ages in voice and beginner piano. 

Links:

Website: https://erinfrances.com 
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@erinfrances?si=nZR5wmY2WgO4_VdF 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4ND0GdVnESQ7s0znmgFvCg?si=AHaFjuSSTRyJNRCTel6qwA

Lonnie Jack Davis is a Philadelphia composer, multi-insturmentalist, and audio engineer. He is primarily a percussionist, but also spends considerable time playing guitar and other stringed instruments. As a composer, he specializes in contemporary classical percussion music and singer/songwriter style music. As an audio engineer, he records and mixes for various artists, and will often contribute as a producer or songwriter. Notably, he is the co-producer and musical partner of Grace Gardner, indie folk singer from Texas, now based in Philadelphia. 

Video:

Stephanie Ben-Salem and Martha Anne Toll

Stephanie Ben-Salem is a distinguished pianist and educator with over 46 years of teaching and performance experience. She holds degrees in Piano Performance from the Manhattan School of Music (BM) and Temple University’s Boyer College of Music and Dance (MM), as well as a Master of Arts in Education from LaSalle University, and is currently pursuing an EdD in Executive Leadership at Temple. A student of renowned teachers including Gaby Casadesus, Aldo Ciccolini, Eugene List, Karl Ulrich Schnabel, and Charles Abramovic, she has performed across the U.S. and Europe. Her teaching career spans Settlement Music School, the Main Line Conservatory of Music, Mt. Airy Learning Tree, and her private studio, where she offers performance and advanced theory instruction. She emphasizes artistry, technique, and theoretical grounding in her pedagogy. In addition to solo and orchestral appearances, she has performed in international festivals, participated in masterclasses with world-renowned pianists, and served as a competition adjudicator. Beyond performance and teaching, she contributes to academic research and consulting in psychiatric studies.

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-ben-salem-3a399954/

Martha Anne Toll grew up in Philadelphia and studied viola with Max Aronoff, co-founder of the Curtis String Quartet. Her second novel, Duet for One, set in Philadelphia, came out May 6, 2025 with generous pre-publication praise. Duet for One is a love story that follows the journey from grief to love within the world of classical music. Toll's debut novel, Three Muses, won the Petrichor Prize for Finely Crafted Fiction and was shortlisted for the Gotham Book Prize. Three Muses is a tale of Holocaust survival venturing through love, memory, trauma, and identity, while raising the curtain on the unforgiving discipline of ballet. Toll serves on the Board of Directors of the PEN/Faulkner Foundation and is a recipient of numerous artist residency fellowships. A graduate of Yale, Toll holds a B.A. Degree in music and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law. She comes to writing professionally after a career in social justice. Toll lives in Washington, DC.

Martha writes a free, weekly newsletter on Substack about music, books, Judaica, ballet, and politics. Please subscribe here.

You can buy her books anywhere you purchase books and also here:

Duet for One - Amazon
Three Muses - Amazon
Duet for One - Bookshop
Three Muses - Bookshop 

Links:

Website: www.marthaannetoll.com/
Facebook: Martha Ann Toll
Instagram: @marthatoll

Madisun Bailey

Madisun Bailey, a queer musician from the Baltimore/Annapolis area, creates a unique sound that blends soul, alt rock, and jazz, drawing inspiration from artists like Erykah Badu, Lianne La Havas, Citizen Cope, Radiohead, and Willow Smith. 

Having embarked on her musical journey three years ago, Madisun has been performing full-time at various venues, restaurants, festivals, and wineries throughout the DMV area. She feels both excited and honored to have opportunities to showcase her original music. 

At the age of 16, Madisun self-produced an album titled "Big Fun in The Sun" along with three singles recorded in her bedroom, all of which are available on streaming platforms. Now, at 23, she is currently working on a new album called "Forest Green," and the two songs she will perform tonight will be featured on this upcoming album.

 Linktree-  https://linktr.ee/madisunbailey 

Videos: