LabRats at SFJAZZ: Groove Experiments and the Mwandishi Connection
Show NotesOn 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 fo...
26 Aug 202526min
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 perfor...
23 Aug 202525min
ELEW: From Camden to ELEW Plays Sting at SFJAZZ
Episode SummaryPianist 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 Jo...
21 Aug 202532min
Anthony Wilson on House of the Singing Blossoms (Live Nonet)
Guest: Anthony Wilson — guitarist, composer, bandleaderEpisode focus: Anthony’s new live double LP House of the Singing Blossoms (recorded at Sam First), the return of his nonet, and his upcoming SFJA...
14 Aug 202544min
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, r...
5 Aug 202517min
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 di...
30 Jul 202524min
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 venue...
7 Jun 202512min
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 jaz...
17 Jan 202528min
