The Eremita Exchange

Episode 20 - Phyllis Chapell

Phyllis Chapell is one of a kind. With a repertoire that includes songs sung in 13 languages, her style of international music and "world songs" has been developed and honed over many years.  And the result is a singular musical experience for the audience.  She is comfortable in so many genres, including American folk, jazz and popular music, and then add in a dose of her originals to round it all out.  She has recently been named as one of the top 500 jazz vocalist of all time by renowned music writer Scott Yanow.  And if that wasn't enough, the video for her song "Howling Wolf" has recently been awarded the Bronze Medal in the 2025 Global Music Awards.  It was a pleasure to talk to her about her unique musical journey. 

Episode 19 - Lizanne Knott

Lizanne Knott has been writing songs as long as she can remember.  And those songs have subsequently reached an international audience and resulted in multiple tours of the UK, Ireland, Spain and here in the US.  Her style has been described as "Badass rocker meets wounded bird, with a heavy dose of unapologetic lust thrown into the mix."  Combine that with her talent as a painter and her long connection with animal rescue and it makes for a compelling conversation with one of the most artistic, empathetic, caring human beings out there.  

Episode 18 - Dan Kauffman

Dan Kauffman is a one-man band.  Or at least he could be if there were four or five more of him.  He's an accomplished singer, songwriter, bassist, drummer, guitarist and also plays keyboards.  Since his return from the West Coast in 2008, Dan has performed live on the East Coast and touring on a regular basis, as well as steady studio work.  And for the last decade, he has been organizing and performing in "A Night of Stardust," a David Bowie tribute which has become a Philly favorite.  And then throw hosting his own podcast into the mix and we were surprised he even had time to be our guest.  But here he is, another interesting journey.

Episode 17 - Craig White

Craig White has over 40 years of recording and sound engineering under his belt, and none of it came as a result of formal training.  As he says, he learned it all from the school of RTFM, "Read the F***iing Manual." And it paid off in a big way.  He has engineering credits on multiple Grammy Nominated and Grammy Winning Projects and has worked with the likes of Patti Labelle, Celine Dion, Tito Puente, Lou Rawls, The O'Jays, Billy Paul, Kool and The Gang and many others.  Join fellow engineers Glenn Barratt and Craig as they share the journey of a curious five-year-old who asked for a tape recorder for Christmas so he could record "sounds," to the respected sound engineer and recording professional that has left his indelible mark on the music industry.  And the stories in between.

Episode 16 - Emily Drinker and Josh Steingard

Singer-songwriter Emily Drinker and drummer Josh Steingard make up a dynamic duo, both in life and in music.  Two of Philly's most active musicians, they discuss their individual upbringings in music, their paths to becoming professionals, their recent experience performing onboard a cruise of the Mediterranean, and their upcoming cruise performing on a Caribbean cruise. It's a Bon Voyage episode of the Eremita Exchange as Emily and Josh throw us a musical lifeline.  

Episode 15 - Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise

Take a seasoned rapper, a classically-trained harpist with an angel's voice and put them together and you get one of the most unique and original sounds in music.  Kuf Knotz and Christine Elise take this unlikely pairing and unconventional style and deliver it all in positive message that promises the possibility.  And the power of hope.  Hip Hop meets Soul meets New Age.  And they all live happily ever after.   

Episode 14 - Gina Kaz

Singer-songwriter Gina Kaz is a music therapist at heart. And if there's one thing she has plenty of, it's heart. After a 17-year career of teaching music to children through her engaging and entertaining children's songs, Gina has just made the challenging transition from being Gina of "Music with Gina" to becoming Gina Kaz, full-time singer songwriter. Join us on her musical journey from where she started to where she's headed from here.  Her energy and positivity are contagious.  And therapeutic.  

Episode 13 - Lisa Schaffer

Lisa Schaffer is an entrepreneur in the true sense of the word.  As one of Philadelphia's most respected and sought-after photographers for the better part of two decades, specializing in capturing musicians in their natural environment, she is a benchmark for professionalism and excellence.  And throw being a DJ into the mix, spinning strictly vinyl, her long-time connection to music has led her to recently opening her own record store, a new direction for a businesswoman and artist who's not afraid to venture down a new path on her journey.  Join us for the trip.

Episode 12- Jay Davidson

Jay Davidson is one of Philadelphia's premier saxophonists, but he's so much more than that. As a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer and promoter, he's been involved in the music industry for most of his life, both onstage and in the studio. Having toured nationally and internationally with the likes of Whitney Houston, Steve Winwood, Cinderella and so many other artists.  And he's always brought his best game to any project he's been involved with, including his own. Starting at a young age, he's studied music at every level and he has no intention of stopping any time soon.  Glenn and Jay take a look back at a remarkable career and a look forward to what's still to come.

Episode 11 - Gretchen Schultz

Besides being an accomplished singer songwriter in her own right, Gretchen Schultz has been an integral part of Christine Havrilla’s music over the years as well as a member of Gypsy Fuzz. Gretchen shares her own story and also pays tribute to Christine’s legacy and how their relationship shaped her as a person and as a musician.