Ep 113: Toni Jannotta: Jazz, Justice, and the Voice of the Homeless

🎧 Episode Summary:In this soulful and inspiring episode, Damien Swaby sits down with jazz vocalist, composer, and storyteller Toni Jannotta, whose artistry has spanned decades across dance, acting, music, and multimedia storytelling. From her early years on stage as a dancer and actress to becoming a jazz musician with international acclaim, Toni shares the rich tapestry of her creative life—and how jazz became her truest voice.Critically praised for crafting original jazz works that "keep things moving forward and interesting" (Chris Spector) and for offering "an interesting perspective" in her compositions (Sarah Ellen Hughes), Toni dives into the projects that have defined her career, including her transformative performance piece Voices of the Homeless and her latest passion project, My Little Heart, Ruthie.🗣️ What We Talk About:

• Toni’s early start in dance and acting in Los Angeles
• Her unexpected pivot from theater to jazz
• The life-changing improv performance at a maximum-security prison
• Stories behind her three albums: Just Jazz, Jazz at the Ranch, and Is It Magic?
• Her community-driven work and arts activism
• The making of My Little Heart, Ruthie—a children’s story for adults, filled with jazz and healing
• What it means to blend art, social justice, and music into a unified message

🎶 Featured Projects:

• Voices of the Homeless – A live theater/jazz improvisation project with real voices from the homeless community
• My Little Heart, Ruthie – A musical picture book and album exploring inner healing and emotional resilience

📽️ Watch the Documentary:
Voice of the Homeless
https://www.tonijannotta.com/documentary🎼 Buy Toni's Music:
www.cdbaby.com/cd/tonijannotta📚 Explore Ruthie:
https://www.tonijannotta.com/Ruthie📨 Contact Toni:
[email protected]
Website: https://www.tonijannotta.com🎥 BONUS: Learn Cinematography with ASC MentorWant to level up your cinematography skills? Join veteran ASC cinematographer Suki Medencevic as he teaches low-budget lighting techniques used on top studio sets.🎓 Free Training with Suki Medencevic, A.S.C.
Register here📲 Stay Connected with Damien Swaby:📸 Instagram: @filmmaker_damien_swaby
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