Grammy-winning singer Durand Bernarr is putting his signature spin on two beloved classics while reflecting on the artists and moments that shaped him.
The progressive R&B star is the latest featured performer in Salt Lick Sessions’ ongoing Songs of U.S. series, a project that invites musicians to revisit songs woven into America’s cultural fabric while exploring what deserves a place in today’s American songbook. Bernarr’s three-part appearance blends performance with candid conversation, offering a look at the music that influenced his artistry and the personal philosophy that’s guided his career.
His first installment, available now, features a soulful rendition of George Gershwin’s “Summertime,” a standard immortalized by jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald. Bernarr selected the song as a tribute to the great American jazz tradition and the performers who paved the way.
Paying Homage To The Greats
During his accompanying interview, Bernarr speaks about the lasting impact of jazz icons who shaped his musical identity.
As he explains, he’s long admired “Ella [Fitzgerald], Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Big Maybelle, Phyllis Hyman, just all the jazz heavy hitters.”
Rather than reinventing the standard beyond recognition, Bernarr says the challenge is finding the balance between honoring its legacy and bringing his own perspective to the performance. It’s an approach that reflects the larger mission behind Songs of U.S., which pairs timeless music with conversations about identity, culture and creativity.
Why ‘Ironic’ Still Resonates
Bernarr’s second performance arrives July 21 with a cover of Alanis Morissette’s enduring hit “Ironic.”
While the song might seem like an unexpected companion to a jazz standard, Bernarr believes it has earned its place in the American songbook because of its staying power. In his interview, he praises its unforgettable melodies, emotional grit and versatility, qualities that have allowed the song to connect with listeners across generations.
The pairing highlights Bernarr’s broad musical influences while reinforcing the series’ central idea that America’s musical legacy stretches across genres and decades.
A Message About Authenticity
The final installment of Bernarr’s appearance premieres July 22 with his original song “Undivided,” a track that explores the complexities of success, purpose and public visibility.
The performance is accompanied by a conversation about authenticity, a theme that has become closely associated with the singer following his widely celebrated Grammy acceptance speech earlier this year for Best Progressive R&B Album.
Reflecting on his journey, Bernarr says being unapologetically himself “has been inspiring people [and] giving them the permission to have audacity, to tap into whatever it is that they have inside of them.”
That perspective runs throughout his Songs of U.S. appearance, connecting classic compositions with his own lived experience.
A Growing Celebration Of American Music
Bernarr joins a diverse lineup of artists participating in the series throughout the summer, including Brandy Clark, Swamp Dogg, MARIS, Joy Oladokun, Old Crow Medicine Show, Maggie Rose, Raye Zaragoza and Jordyn Simone.
Across the project, musicians reinterpret works associated with artists and songwriters including Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, Roberta Flack and John Denver. Other featured performances include Amy Grant singing “Carolina in My Mind,” Mickey Guyton revisiting “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Tiny Habits performing “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Joy Oladokun covering “Ain’t No Sunshine” and Brittney Spencer’s take on “Killing Me Softly With His Song.”
The series arrives as conversations surrounding American identity continue ahead of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary. Variety previously described Songs of U.S. as offering “a more thoughtful and perhaps meaningfully patriotic approach” to celebrating the milestone.
Produced by nonprofit organization Salt Lick Incubator, the series is part of a broader effort to support musicians through grants, mentorship and creative opportunities while giving audiences an intimate look at the artists behind the performances.
For Bernarr, the project ultimately becomes more than a collection of covers. It’s a reminder that the American songbook is still evolving, shaped not only by legendary voices of the past but also by artists willing to honor that history while confidently adding their own chapter.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source gayety.com ’
