Michael League's Musical Universe Unleashed

Five-time Grammy winner Michael League sits down with Steve Roby to discuss his groundbreaking residency at SF Jazz Center—a five-night exploration that shatters the "one-band" label and reveals the full spectrum of his creative life.

Best known as the founder of Snarky Puppy, League has spent his career defying categorization. In this conversation, he opens up about why he's never been content being "Mr. Snarky Puppy," his evolution from band leader to curator and "designated hitter," and how his residency format challenges audiences to see musicians as the multidimensional artists they truly are.

Episode Highlights:

The Power of Diversity
League discusses how his residency brings together musicians from Mexico, Cuba, Turkey, Macedonia, the UK, Brooklyn, and North Carolina—a powerful statement in 2026 about the vital role immigrants and people of color play in American music culture.

Ellipsis: The Frankenstein Album
Hear the fascinating story behind "Obbakoso" and the Ellipsis collaboration with Antonio Sánchez and Pedrito Martinez—an album created entirely backwards, where improvisation came first and composition followed.

Looking Back at Lingus
League reflects on Snarky Puppy's breakthrough track with refreshing honesty, comparing it to "looking at college photos" while acknowledging how it opened doors to the deeper, more nuanced work the band creates today.

The Future is Curation
Why League sees his future less as a frontman and more as a facilitator, curator, and bass player at heart—someone who thrives supporting others and creating "unique, bespoke musical experiences."

Breaking Down the Proscenium
The value of listening parties and soundcheck conversations, where artists and audiences meet on equal ground, without the barrier of performance expectations.

Featured Music:

• "Obbakoso" from Ellipsis on GroundUp Music (Michael League, Antonio Sánchez, Pedrito Martínez)
• "Lingus (We Like It Here)" on GroundUp Music, by Snarky Puppy

All songs used with the artist’s permission.

Relevant Links:

SF Jazz Residency Information:
SF Jazz Center – January 29–February 1, 2026

Michael League:

• GroundUP Music
• Snarky Puppy Official

Featured Artists:

• Bill Laurance
• Antonio Sánchez
• Pedrito Martinez
• Corey Henry
• Becca Stevens

Backstage Bay Area is hosted by Steve Roby