Coatesville Arson Update and VENISSA SANTI

At least twenty-six fires from Arson have been reported in Coatesville, PA since last year. A state of emergency has been declared and many people are homeless in the already economically challenged town of less than 12,000 people. Two alleged arsonists were arrested last week. We speak to Philadelphia Inquirer writer KATHLEEN BRADY SHEA for an update on the town. Then, local singer and composer, VENISSA SANTI, comes into the studio to explain how she integrates her Cuban background into original songs and creative arrangements of jazz and Cuban standards. In 2008, she received the prestigious Pew Fellowship in folk and traditional arts. We’ll listen to a few songs from her upcoming release, “Bienvenida,” a bilingual album of Afro Cuban, jazz and pop soul songs. It will be released April 21st on Sunnyside Records. Listen to the mp3