Durand Bernarr Pays Tribute To Ella Fitzgerald & Alanis Morissette For Songs Of U.S.

Photo Credit: Kaitlin Mendoza

July 20, 2026 - Today, Durand Bernarr reflects on the importance of creativity and authenticity with his soulful rendition of George Gershwin's "Summertime" - later popularized by Ella Fitzgerald - for Salt Lick Sessions' Songs of U.S. series. His accompanying interview, also out today, highlights the beauty and power of staying true to oneself in modern America, which echoes sentiments that he shared earlier this year in his viral Grammy acceptance speech for Best Progressive R&B Album.

Songs of U.S. is a performance and conversation series that brings together musicians from across genres to reinterpret songs that have shaped the country's cultural identity while exploring what belongs in the American songbook today. Watch Salt Lick Incubator's president Liza Levy discuss the series and America's musical legacy in her interview on MS Now's Morning Joe .

Today, Salt Lick Sessions premiered Durand Bernarr's performance of George Gershwin's "Summertime," which Bernarr selected as belonging to the American songbook as an ode to the great jazz standards. As a long time fan of "Ella [Fitzgerald], Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Big Maybelle, Phyllis Hyman, just all the jazz heavy hitters," Bernarr emphasizes in his interview the importance of respecting the foundation of such monumental songs, while still having the confidence to put one's own twist to it.

Tomorrow (July 21), Bernarr's cover of "Ironic" by Alanis Morissette will go live, which he chose as a song that deserves to be in the American songbook due to its timelessness. Bernarr praises the song's iconic melodies and grit, adding that its versatility allows it to resonate with a wide audience.

On Wednesday (July 22), Bernarr's original track "Undivided" will air, a song about the nuances of gaining fame and what motivates him. In his interview, he reflects on how being unequivocally 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."

Watch Durand Bernarr's cover of George Gershwin's "Summertime" HERE .

Watch Durand Bernarr's Songs of U.S. interview HERE .

Forthcoming sessions featuring Brandy Clark, Swamp Dogg, MARIS, Joy Oladokun, Old Crow Medicine Show, Maggie Rose, Raye Zaragoza, and more will roll out throughout the summer via Salt Lick Sessions' YouTube channel and social platforms. Last week, sessions with Paula Prieto and Raheem DeVaughn went live, and Jordyn Simone's sessionswill begin rolling out this week on July 23.

Across the series, artists reinterpret works by writers including Woody Guthrie, Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Beyoncé, Bill Withers, Roberta Flack and John Denver. Featured performances include Amy Grant 's take on "Carolina in My Mind," Mickey Guyton revisiting "Take Me Home, Country Roads," Tiny Habits reimagining "Blowin' in the Wind," Joy Oladokun performing "Ain't No Sunshine," Brittney Spencer interpreting "Killing Me Softly With His Song," Samara Joy performing Duke Ellington's "Le Sucrier-Velours, Paula Prieto renditioning "God Bless The Child," and Trousdale covering "Amazing Grace."

Variety noted that Songs of U.S. arrives amid renewed conversations about patriotism and American identity, describing the project as offering "a more thoughtful and perhaps meaningfully patriotic approach" to celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary. You can read more about the series in Variety HERE .

About Salt Lick Sessions

Salt Lick Incubator's signature series, Salt Lick Sessions, is known for its artist-first approach to compensation, rights, and creative collaboration. The series takes viewers on a nationwide discovery tour, featuring more than 50 musicians each year through intimate video portraits that invite viewers directly into the artist's realm. Past performers include Jon Batiste, Big Freedia, Sheryl Crow, Lalah Hathaway, Mickey Guyton, Madison Cunningham, Tank and the Bangas, Dawes, and many more.

About Salt Lick Incubator

Salt Lick Incubator is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting innovative musicians at critical stages of their careers. Founded by Roger Brown, former president of Berklee College of Music and Liza Levy, the organization provides grants, mentorship, creative development and media platforms for artists building sustainable careers. Its signature series, Salt Lick Sessions, is known for its artist-first approach.