ADI BRAUN is a singer/songwriter with a long list of cabaret, concert and theatre successes to her credit. She has performed in major jazz and concert venues in Canada, the United States, and Europe. In the fall of 2023 Adi released her sixth critically-acclaimed CD, “Night and Day – The Cole Porter Songbook”, which which had its premiere with full orchestra at the Rose Theatre, Brampton in February, 2025. Her other recordings include “Moderne Frau (Modern Woman)”, a tribute to the music of Weimar Berlin; “Canadian Scenes I”, featuring some of her own compositions; “Live at the Metropolitan Room” from New York City; “The Rules of the Game”, and “Delishious”.
After beginning her career in classical music, Adi started “singing sideways” in the late ‘90s and returned to her first love, which she calls “cabarazz”, drawing on aspects from both cabaret and jazz. Adi has received andbeen nominated for numerous awards, including “Best Major Jazz Vocalist of the Year” by New York’s Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs, and two Juno album short-lists. Her repertoire ranges from the Great American songbook, to European cabaret, to contemporary songs by Canadian legend’s Shirley Eikhard and Gordon Lightfoot, among others.
In addition to performing, Adi is a sought-after German Diction and Lieder coach, has co-hosted “Classical Mornings” on the New Classical FM, and frequently speaks on topics related to Weimar Cabaret.
ISABEL FRYSZBERG is a strong advocate for bringing arts to everyday life. She inspires others to reach theirpotential by combining training as an occupational therapist with a passion for arts-based programming. Isabel received the 2020 University of Toronto Alumni Achievement Award for Occupational Therapy and serves as Adjunct Lecturer forthe University of Toronto Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy.
Creative Works Studio, a community program for adults living with mental health or addiction issues, was Isabel’sbrain-child. She ran the program for over twenty years at Toronto’s St. Michael’s Hospital, where she directed the documentary What’s Art Got to Do with It? (2013) and co-created Coming Out of Darkness, an album of originalmusic by members of the Studio. She has since developed the Arts-Based Well-Being Toolbox, an online training courseon art as a tool for everyday wellness Isabel collaborates with Dr Janet Parsons (University of Toronto) on arts-basedresearch, helping to develop the Creative Collaboratory for Research, Education and Practice.
As a visual artist, Isabel takes solace in representing subjects where she feels an emotional connection. She loves tocapture aspects of her neighbourhood and community that she fears will be lost to gentrification and high cost. Isabelmaintains a studio at Toronto’s 401 Richmond and recently participated in the Riverdale Artwalk 2025.
As a singer-songwriter, Isabel creates songs about connection, relationships, love, loss, family, aging and nature. She co-founded the Sisters of Sheynville, a six-woman klezmer swing band whose album Sheynville Express garnered the 2007 Canadian Folk Music award asVocal Group of the Year. Following her 2014 solo debut album Hearts and Arrows, Isabel has released three singles and three award-winning music videos. Her band Isabel& the Uncommons has a monthly residency at Toronto’s Tranzac Club. Her music can be found on Spotify, Bandcamp and Apple under Isabel & the Uncommons. https://www.youtube.com/@isabelfryszberg8135.
Isabel's playlist:
"Stuck In The Middle With You" performed by Jaylee Roberts
"Today Will be A Good Day" performed by Diane Reeves
"Katie Bar The Door" performed by Rayna Gellert & Sue Goehring
"Everybody's Talkin' " performed by Harry Nilsson
"Yidl Mitn Fidl" performed by "The Sisters Of Sheynville"
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MUSIC FOR THIS EPISODE:
AMBE (Chronos Vocal Ensemble / Jordan Van Biert, cond.)
Composer: Andrew Balfour /www.instagram.com/andrewbalfour_
PIXABAY Royalty Free Music