Between Soul and Swing: Nicolas Bearde’s Jarreau, Alive and In Motion

Podcast: Backstage Bay Area
Host: Steve Roby
Guests: Nicolas Bearde (vocals) with special guest Tammy L. Hall (piano)

Bay Area vocalist Nicolas Bearde joins Backstage Bay Area to talk about his Al Jarreau celebration at the Joe Henderson Lab. We trace his path from early R&B roots and Motown radio to a mature jazz voice shaped onstage with Bobby McFerrin—and how that journey informs a show that treats Jarreau’s music as a living language. Nicolas shares insights on two signature tracks from his catalog, the art of collaboration, and what listeners can expect from this intimate, groove-forward tribute.

· Finding the seam between soul storytelling and jazz improvisation

· Lessons from performing with Bobby McFerrin and Voicestra

· The singers who shaped Nicolas’s sound (Lou Rawls, Sarah Vaughan, Ella, Johnny Mathis—and, of course, Al Jarreau)

· Song spotlight #1: “Can We Pretend” (*Crossing the Line*)—why it remains a fan favorite worldwide

· Song spotlight #2: “Falling in Love Again” (*Visions*)—seven years in the making and finished with producer Larry Batiste

· Building the Jarreau set with Tammy L. Hall and band (Kevin Goldberg, Deszon Claiborne, Charles McNeal, Roberta Laurel)

· The emotional core of the show: “Not Like This” into “More Love,” plus the ongoing challenge and joy of “Spain”

· What’s next: a new studio album in progress for early 2026 (working title: SEVYNI)

· Nicolas Bearde — vocals

· Tammy L. Hall — piano (music director)

· Kevin Goldberg — bass

· Deszon Claiborne — drums

· Charles McNeal — saxophone

· Roberta Laurel — vocals (harmonies/duets)

Venue: Joe Henderson Lab at the SFJAZZ Center

Dates & Times:

· Sat, Nov 8, 2025 — 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM

· Sun, Nov 9, 2025 — 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org

Artist Website: https://www.nicolasbearde.com

Backstage Bay Area: https://www.backstagebayarea.com

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Produced and edited by Steve Roby for Backstage Bay Area.

Music excerpts used with respect for the artists and venues featured.