Songs & Stories
Backstage Bay Area is an exclusive podcast that explores the local music scene in depth. It features intimate interviews with emerging and established artists in various genres, including jazz, blues, rock, pop, folk, classical, urban, and world music. The program also offers a unique glimpse into the artists' creative processes, inspirations, and upcoming projects.
- Update frequency
- every 2 days
- Average duration
- 26 minutes
- Episodes
- 272
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Lineage, Lift-Off: Sarah Hanahan’s Alto Speaks in the Present Tense
Show Notes:
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby sits down with acclaimed alto saxophonist Sarah Hanahan. Sarah shares her musical upbringing, the influence of jazz legends, and the …
An Evening with Andy Summers: Sound, Vision, and Stories in Real Time
Episode Summary:
Legendary guitarist and multimedia artist Andy Summers (The Police) joins Steve Roby on Backstage Bay Area to discuss his innovative one-man show, which focuses on live guitar, storyt…
Arturo O’Farrill: “The Arts Belong to the People”
Show Notes:
Welcome to Backstage Bay Area! In this episode, host Steve Roby sits down with Grammy Award-winning pianist, composer, and bandleader Arturo O’Farrill for a deep dive into the intersection…
OKAN: Joy as Resistance, Rhythm as Home
Show Notes
Backstage Bay Area welcomes the vibrant Afro-Cuban duo, OKAN—Elizabeth Rodriguez and Magdelys Savigne—for an inspiring discussion about music, identity, and resilience.
In this episode, host…
Dominique Fils-Aimé: Jazz as Freedom, Healing, and Connection
Show Notes
Backstage Bay Area welcomes Montreal-based, award-winning singer-songwriter Dominique Fils-Aimé. In this episode, Dominique shares her creative journey, the healing power of music, and the …
LabRats at SFJAZZ: Groove Experiments and the Mwandishi Connection
Show Notes
On this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby chats with Jacob Swedlow, drummer and band leader of Sacramento’s jazz fusion group, LabRats.
Jacob shares the story of how the band f…
Lady Day Reimagined: Stella Heath’s Jazz Story
Episode Summary:
In this episode, host Steve Roby welcomes singer Stella Heath for an intimate look at the Billie Holiday Project—a heartfelt tribute to Lady Day’s music and legacy. Ahead of her perfo…
ELEW: From Camden to ELEW Plays Sting at SFJAZZ
Episode Summary
Pianist Eric Lewis (ELEW) joins Backstage Bay Area to trace a path from a five-piano childhood in Camden, New Jersey, to the creation of Rockjazz, a career-shaping stint with {{Elvin J…
Anthony Wilson on House of the Singing Blossoms (Live Nonet)
Guest: Anthony Wilson — guitarist, composer, bandleader
Episode focus: Anthony’s new live double LP House of the Singing Blossoms (recorded at Sam First), the return of his nonet, and his upcoming SFJ…
Silverset Shines with New Single 'Akamea' and Upcoming EP Rollout
This week on Backstage Bay Area, Steve Roby sits down with Nikki Fruth and Jon Stenz from Silverset, a rising San Francisco indie rock trio making waves with their dreamy, energetic sound. The band, …
Songs of Solitude and Harmony: The Wildwoods Bring Nebraska to the Bay
Show Notes:
In this special episode of Backstage Bay Area, we head to Lincoln, Nebraska—home of the heartfelt folk-Americana trio The Wildwoods. Host Steve Roby sits down with Noah and Chloe Gose to d…
San Francisco Jazz Festival Coming June 13-15
This year’s revamped San Francisco Jazz Festival, curated by SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard, takes place on June 13-15, 2025. It features 35 concerts over 3 days in various venu…
Lakecia Benjamin: The Jazz Trailblazer Redefining the Live Experience
Show Notes: In this captivating episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with five-time Grammy nominee Lakecia Benjamin, a saxophonist, composer, and trailblazer redefining modern ja…
Jamie Baum: Redefining Jazz with Poetry and Global Sounds
Show Notes:
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, Steven Roby sits down with the extraordinary flutist, composer, and educator Jamie Baum. Known for her trailblazing work blending jazz with classica…
Sam Lucid of Dogs in a Pile Talks New Music, Touring Adventures, and Bay Area Vibes
Episode Overview:
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with Sam Lucid, bassist, vocalist, and songwriter for the genre-defying band Dogs in a Pile. Based out of Asbury Par…
Karen y Los Remedios: Redefining Cumbia with a Modern Twist
Show Notes:
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with Karen Barajas of Karen y Los Remedios, the trailblazing trio redefining the boundaries of cumbia. Karen shares the gr…
Inside the Sonic Apocalypse: Lana Del Rabies Takes Us Beyond the Noise
Show Notes:
In this episode, we sat down with Sam An, the artist behind Lana Del Rabies, to explore the intersection of myth, music, and survival. Known for her genre-defying sound that blends industr…
Mads Tolling: Jazz Collaborations and Classics Reimagined
Show Notes
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby chats with two-time Grammy-winning violinist and composer Mads Tolling to explore the art of collaboration and musical reinvention. …
Derek Gripper and Ballaké Sissoko: Strings in Perfect Harmony
Episode Overview:
In this captivating episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with South African guitarist and composer Derek Gripper to discuss his groundbreaking collaboration with…
Richard Bona: Exploring Roots, Freedom, and Global Sounds
Show Notes
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with Grammy-winning bassist and global music ambassador Richard Bona. Known for his dynamic blend of jazz, Afropop, and th…