Episode Summary
Executive Director and co‑founder of SFCM’s Roots, Jazz & American Music (RJAM) program, Jason Hainsworth, joins Steve to talk about how the Side‑By‑Side model turns the Joe Henderson Lab into a working classroom. We explore mentorship in real time, why original student music matters, and what audiences can expect from RJAM’s *Side‑By‑Side: New Visions* performance at the Lab.
Guest
Jason Hainsworth — Executive Director & Co‑Founder, RJAM (San Francisco Conservatory of Music)
What You’ll Hear
· How RJAM prepares young improvisers for a professional life on and off the bandstand.
· How the SFCM–SFJAZZ partnership gives students meaningful access to world‑class artists and stages.
· What the *Side‑By‑Side* format looks like on stage: mixed student–faculty ensembles, quick turnarounds, and plenty of room for improvisation.
· Two original student works discussed on the show: “Rebecca” by Xitlalli Estrella and “Warlike” by Alan Jones.
· Where and when to catch free SFCM concerts across the academic year.
Suggested Timestamps (approx.)
· 00:00 | Intro and episode setup
· 01:10 | What RJAM offers promising students
· 05:30 | SFCM × SFJAZZ partnership and Lab culture
· 10:10 | Inside the *Side‑By‑Side* format
· 14:00 | Student track spotlight: “Rebecca” (Xitlalli Estrella)
· 18:30 | Student track spotlight: “Warlike” (Alan Jones)
· 23:00 | SFCM concerts open to the public
· 26:00 | What to expect on show night
· 27:30 | Closing thoughts
Pull Quote
“Performing alongside mentors is unmatched for learning— from preparing rehearsals to shaping ideas with the band you’re in.” — Jason Hainsworth.
Music Notes
If excerpts of “Rebecca” (Xitlalli Estrella) and “Warlike” (Alan Jones) are used, they appear courtesy of the artists and the RJAM program. All rights are reserved by the respective creators.
Links & Info
Tickets: RJAM *Side‑By‑Side: New Visions* — Friday, November 14, 7:30 p.m., Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ Center.
https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/rjam-side-by-side-new-visions/
Venue Notes
Joe Henderson Lab is located within the SFJAZZ Center (San Francisco). Please check the ticket page for updated door times and policies.
More from SFCM
RJAM and SFCM present hundreds of concerts during the academic year—many free and open to the public—including chamber music, jazz combos, and student recitals across SFCM venues.
Credits
Host & Producer: Steve Roby
Show: Backstage Bay Area — your all‑access pass to the local music scene.
Interview guest: Jason Hainsworth
Production: BackstageBayArea.com
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Episode summary
Music Director and saxophonist Chris Potter joins Backstage Bay Area to preview the SFJAZZ Collective’s tribute to Wayne Shorter’s Native Dancer. We talk about why this album matters, how the Collective reimagined its songs for today’s band, Potter’s personal encounter with Shorter, and what new music is on deck.
What you’ll hear
• Why Native Dancer remains a living blueprint for jazz–Brazilian exchange
• How the Collective divided up arrangements and found fresh angles on classics like “Ponta de Areia”
• A rehearsal-room story that captures Shorter’s mix of imagination and precision
• What to expect across the three Miner Auditorium shows (setlist variety, originals, and ensemble chemistry)
• Potter’s upcoming projects and where the Collective heads next
Guest
Chris Potter — saxophonist, composer, and Music Director of the SFJAZZ Collective.
Selected quotes
• “The SFJAZZ Collective comes together every year to workshop new music, and this season we wanted to make a real statement with Native Dancer.”
• “We each brought in arrangements. The original album is so perfectly realized that the challenge was to find our own way through it.”
• “Wayne could ask you to imagine Superman flying over the mountain—and in the next breath correct a single B-flat. That balance guided us.”
• “The feeling on stage is, ‘This is a band.’ Mutual respect, shared history, and material we truly love.”
About the music
• Wayne Shorter’s 1975 collaboration with Milton Nascimento braided Brazilian songcraft with jazz harmony and studio-era rhythm—music built for reinvention.
• The Collective’s program features the full Native Dancer songbook alongside new originals that extend its spirit.
Credits
Host/Producer: Steve Roby — Backstage Bay Area
Guest: Chris Potter
Music: Excerpts as permitted by rights holders
Recording: SFJAZZ Collective sessions & interview
Links & tickets
Event: SFJAZZ Collective — Tribute to Wayne Shorter’s Native Dancer
Venue: Miner Auditorium (SFJAZZ Center, San Francisco)
Dates/Times:
• Saturday, Nov. 1 – 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 2 – 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Nov. 2 – 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/sfjazz-collective/
More info: SFJAZZ.org
Episode logline:
Saxophonist—and bassist—Gerald Albright talks origin stories, the punch and polish behind “Living My Best Life,” why the title cut “Full Throttle” opens up onstage, and what listeners can expect when his band hits Oakland.
About our guest
A pillar of contemporary jazz with decades of touring and studio work, Gerald Albright writes and produces with a rhythm-section mindset. He came up on saxophone in South Central Los Angeles, later added bass guitar, and now releases music independently on Bright Music Records. That hybrid vantage shapes sets built on pulse, melody, and forward motion.
What we cover
· Origins & influences. How a church-lesson pivot put a sax in his hands—“I immediately fell in love with the saxophone”—and why Maceo Parker’s clarity and percussive bite became a lifelong model.
· Hearing from two chairs. The bass guitar changed how he writes and locks the pocket: “Now I’m in the rhythm section, where there’s the meat and potatoes of the groove… I combine the two to create the best music I can.”
· Studio craft → stage energy. The gleam and stacked-horn sound of “Living My Best Life” grew from pandemic-era time in the studio: “I learned how to mix my own records… I like to put the horns right up front.”
· Why “Full Throttle” stretches live. “I wanted the freedom to really stretch out and play… When we play it live, we really get to go full throttle.”
· What fans can look forward to. A high-energy, audience-involved night that blends burners and love songs, drawn from a catalog spanning 20-plus projects.
· What’s next. A new, as-yet-untitled EP in the mixing stage—“the music is coming out phenomenal”—with touring to follow.
Featured tracks (discussed in this episode)
· “Living My Best Life” — stacked horn writing, sleek rhythm bed, and the producer’s ear for space.
· “Full Throttle” — title track from G-Stream 3 – Full Throttle, built for improvisation when the band opens it up on stage.
The band on these dates
Anthony Brown, Jr. (bass), Colin “CC” Clawson (keyboards), and James “JRob” Roberson (musical director, drums).
Memorable quotes
· “I immediately fell in love with the saxophone.”
· “The bass chair put me where the meat and potatoes of the groove live.”
· “I like the horns right up front—that’s the sound!”
Listen for
· How Albright connects Maceo Parker’s articulation to his own attack.
· The way a bassist’s perspective shapes phrasing, form, and set flow.
· Why new independent releases keep his horn stacks, mixes, and repertoire exactly as he envisions them.
Links & info
Tickets: Yoshi’s Oakland — https://yoshis.com/events/buy-tickets/gerald-albright-10/detail
Gerald Albright — Official site: https://geraldalbright.com/
Credits
Host: Steve Roby — Backstage Bay Area.
Production: Backstage Bay Area Audio.
Canadian vocalist-composer Caity Gyorgy joins Steve for a conversation about craft, collaboration, and why swing still feels newly minted when the writing is sharp and the band listens hard. Known for quicksilver phrasing and original tunes that travel between club intimacy and orchestral sheen, Gyorgy traces the path from early influences to her new string-driven project and previews her San Francisco debut at the Joe Henderson Lab.
What you’ll hear
• How Caity discovered jazz and shaped her sound through singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Abbey Lincoln, Blossom Dearie, Betty Carter, and June Christy.
• Inside Caity Gyorgy with Strings: writing with pianist-arranger Mark Limacher, assembling an all-Canadian orchestra, and channeling arranging touchstones (Don Costa, Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins, Henry Mancini).
• Song stories: “That Doesn’t Matter” (a cheeky portrait of friendship and creative trust) and “You’ll Learn” (a cinematic, voice-memo-to-lyric journey).
• What Bay Area audiences can expect at the Joe Henderson Lab: standards from Loesser, Styne, Porter, and Kern alongside Gyorgy’s originals, charted with wit and swing.
Band for the Joe Henderson Lab
Caity Gyorgy — vocals
Mark Limacher — piano
Thomas Heinbach — bass
Aroma Jr. — drums
About the guest
A three-time JUNO winner (pronounced “George”), Caity Gyorgy writes and sings with a composer’s clarity and a bebop musician’s reflexes. Recent releases include the orchestral album Caity Gyorgy with Strings and duo projects with Mark Limacher that showcase her ear for melody and narrative.
Credits
Host & production: Steve Roby / Backstage Bay Area
Editing & mix: Backstage Bay Area
Music excerpts: courtesy of the artist
---
Show Info & Links
Event: Caity Gyorgy — Joe Henderson Lab (SFJAZZ Center), San Francisco
Dates: Nov 7–9, 2025
Set times: Two sets Friday (7:00 PM & 8:30 PM); additional performances across the weekend—see event page for current times and availability.
Tickets & info: SFJAZZ event page
Artist website: CaityGyorgy.com
Episode Summary
Hector Flores of Las Cafeteras joins Steve to talk about Hasta La Muerte, the group’s Day of the Dead production arriving at SFJAZZ. He traces the band’s East L.A. activist roots, how son jarocho meets hip-hop and spoken word, and why participation—dancing, singing, dressing up—turns a concert into a communal ritual. Hector shares how Cocosparked a new wave of writing, why La Catrina becomes “La Santa de los Muertos,” and how a reimagined La Llorona story reframes grief as love.
Hector Flores — vocalist, writer/poet, co-founder of Las Cafeteras (East L.A.). Community organizer turned bandleader; bridges traditional son jarocho with hip-hop cadence, dance, and poetry.
Activist beginnings in East L.A. and how a collective became a band
The sonic palette: jarana, requinto, leona, Afro-Colombian percussion, Indigenous drums, and tasteful electronics
Writing from lived experience: poems that become songs and stage narratives
Hasta La Muerte onstage: five dancers, four musicians, vivid visuals, and storytelling through music and movement
Reimagining icons: La Catrina as La Santa de los Muertos; a compassionate retelling of La Llorona
Why audience participation matters: “come in costume,” sing, and dance—treat the hall like a plaza
Limited-run vinyl at the merch table (cast and crew-signed)
What’s next for the production beyond the West Coast
Hasta La Muerte — Las Cafeteras
Date: Friday, October 31
Venue: Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center, 201 Franklin St., San Francisco
Showtime: 7:30 PM PT • Tickets via SFJAZZ. sfjazz.org
Las Cafeteras (official): https://lascafeteras.com
Hasta La Muerte (about): https://lascafeteras.com/hasta-la-muerte
Las Cafeteras on Instagram: https://instagram.com/lascafeteras
Tickets (SFJAZZ): https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/las-cafeteras-hasta-la-muerte/ sfjazz.org
Backstage Bay Area: https://www.backstagebayarea.com
“Hasta la Muerte” (official performance clip) — embed or link from Las Cafeteras’ channel
“Esta Noche” — sample the group’s energy and instrumentation
Host & Producer: Steve Roby — Backstage Bay Area
Guest: Hector Flores (Las Cafeteras)
Editing/Mix: Backstage Bay Area
Music used with permission of the artist.
If you enjoyed this episode, follow and rate Backstage Bay Area on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Share the episode and tag @lascafeteras and @sfjazz to spread the word.
#LasCafeteras #HastaLaMuerte #DiaDeLosMuertos #SFJAZZ #BackstageBayArea #BayAreaMusic #SonJarocho #EastLA
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
Subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen.
Share this episode with a friend who loves Al Jarreau’s music.
Produced and edited by Steve Roby for Backstage Bay Area.
Music excerpts used with respect for the artists and venues featured.
Episode overview
KCSM 91.1 FM has been a lifeline for Bay Area jazz for six decades. Station Manager Dr. Robert Franklin joins Steve to talk about the station’s live-curated sound, its massive library and preservation work, and the new documentary celebrating KCSM’s history and community impact.
Dr. Robert “Bob” Franklin — Station Manager, KCSM 91.1 FM; Executive Producer of KCSM: 60 Years of Broadcasting and Jazz.
KCSM is one of the nation’s last full-time jazz stations. Its curator-driven programming, archival footprint, and education mission make it a cornerstone of Bay Area music culture.
· How KCSM’s “live curator” model builds a real-time bond with listeners.
· Inside the library: scope, preservation, and digitization efforts.
· The documentary’s purpose—putting faces to the voices and placing KCSM within Bay Area cultural history.
· Student pathways via College of San Mateo and Studio 91.
· KCSM’s community compact: listener support, local artist visibility, and freedom on the air.
· What “keeping jazz alive on Bay Area radio” looks like over the next decade.
Host & Producer: Steve Roby
Show: Backstage Bay Area
Contact: backstagebayarea.com
Screening Information
Event: KCSM: 60 Years of Broadcasting and Jazz (documentary screening)
Venue: Alameda Cinema, 2317 Central Ave., Alameda
Date & Time: Friday, November 1, 2:00 PM
Extras: Post-film reception with refreshments; live DJ set by KCSM’s Harry Duncan; tours of the California Historical Radio Society’s vintage radios, historic studios, and hands-on broadcasting exhibits.
Tickets & info: https://californiahistoricalradio.com/event/kcsm-documentary-screening-at-alameda-theater/
Listen & support KCSM: https://www.kcsm.org
Backstage Bay Area – Episode with Amaro Freitas
Guest: Amaro Freitas, acclaimed Brazilian jazz pianist and composer
Host: Steve Roby
Episode Highlights:
Featured Tracks:
Upcoming Events:
Links:
Connect:
In this episode, host Steve Roby sits down with saxophonist and composer Nicole McCabe, co-leader of the genre-blending project Dolphin Hyperspace. Nicole shares her journey from growing up in Marin County, where she was inspired by both jazz and electronic music, to collaborating with bassist/producer Logan Kane. The conversation covers her musical influences (from Cannonball Adderley to Skrillex), the creative process behind Dolphin Hyperspace, and the stories behind tracks like "Minuscule Minnow" and "Mini Giraffe."
Nicole also discusses her upcoming acoustic solo album "Color Theory" (produced by Jason Moran), the next Dolphin Hyperspace record "Echo Location," and her approach to live performance—especially in intimate venues like the Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ.
Featured topics:
Relevant Links:
Upcoming Show:
Thanks for listening to Backstage Bay Area!
Episode Summary:
In this episode, host Steve Roby sits down with Ivan Neville of Dumpstaphunk for a deep dive into the band’s New Orleans roots, their message of unity, and the making of their latest music. Ivan shares stories about the band’s evolving lineup, the inspiration behind their single “Let’s Do It,” and the enduring power of collaboration. The conversation also covers their take on Buddy Miles’ “United Nations Stomp,” the importance of social messages in their music, and what fans can expect at their upcoming San Francisco show at Miner Auditorium.
Key Topics & Highlights:
Songs Featured:
Links & Resources:
Upcoming Show:
Dumpstaphunk performs Saturday, October 11th at 7:30 PM at Miner Auditorium, SF Jazz Center, San Francisco.
Get your tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org
Connect with the Show:
For more episodes and updates, follow Backstage Bay Area.
Episode Summary
On this Backstage Bay Area episode, host Steven Roby sits down with Afro‑Indigenous singer and composer Martha Redbone to talk about her Harlan County roots, Brooklyn upbringing, and the call‑and‑response spirit she brings to the stage. We cover the stories behind her blend of Appalachian folk, gospel‑soul, blues, and jazz; the community‑minded ethos she calls “congregational music”; and what San Francisco can expect when she and her sextet turn Miner Auditorium into a Sunday‑night revival.
What You’ll Hear
Martha shares how family traditions, elders’ stories, and a lifetime of listening shape her songwriting and live shows. She discusses collaborations with her husband and musical director Aaron Whitby, honors the often‑overlooked legacy of Black coal miners in Appalachia, and reflects on music as a tool for healing and togetherness. Expect singing, call‑and‑response, and a band built for groove and communion.
Guest
Guest: Martha Redbone is an award‑winning vocalist, songwriter, and composer of Cherokee/Choctaw and African American heritage. Her acclaimed projects include The Garden of Love: Songs of William Blake and original music (with Aaron Whitby) for the Broadway revival of For colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. She tours nationally, leads workshops, and advocates for the preservation of culture.
Links
Tickets — SFJAZZ: Martha Redbone at Miner Auditorium: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/martha-redbone/
Artist — Martha Redbone (official site): https://martharedbone.com/
Venue — SFJAZZ Center: https://www.sfjazz.org/
Podcast — Backstage Bay Area: https://backstagebayarea.com/
Call to Action
Enjoy the episode? Please follow/subscribe and share with a friend. If you’re in the Bay Area, grab tickets and join us at Miner Auditorium.
Hashtags
#MarthaRedbone #SFJAZZ #MinerAuditorium #BackstageBayArea #AmericanRoots #IndigenousPeoplesDay #LiveMusicSF #GospelSoul #Appalachia #Brooklyn
Summary
Trumpeter Anthony Hervey and pianist Sean Mason unpack the soul-and-blues core behind their duo chemistry—why a Monk program belongs in an intimate room, how Hervey’s “Du-Rag” reframes ragtime language for now, and why Mason’s “Open Your Heart” asks players and listeners to lead with emotion. We talk repertoire choices for the Joe Henderson Lab, the living-room vibe they aim for, and how spontaneity shapes their sets.
Anthony Hervey — official site: anthonyherveymusic.com. ANTHONY HERVEY
Album — Words From My Horn (includes “Du-Rag”): Outside In Music / Bandcamp. Outside in Music
Sean Mason — official site: seanmasonofficial.com. The Sean Mason Store
Album — The Southern Suite (Blue Engine Records): album page. Jazz at Lincoln Center+1
Single — “Open Your Heart” (official studio video): YouTube. YouTube
Anthony Hervey & Sean Mason — Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ (Monk & Originals): tickets/info at SFJAZZ.org. sfjazz.org
The duo’s “living-room” approach at the Joe Henderson Lab
The roots of “Du-Rag”: ragtime strains, gospel color, and Hervey/Mason’s dialogue
Why “Open Your Heart” pivots from ballad glow to spontaneous double-time
Set-to-set variety, audience conversation, and letting the music choose the path
Website & archives: BackstageBayArea.com. Backstage Bay Area
YouTube channel (full episodes & clips): @BackstageBayArea. YouTube
Host/Producer: Steven Roby (Backstage Bay Area)
Music featured with permission of the artists and labels.
#BackstageBayArea #AnthonyHervey #SeanMason #SFJAZZ #JoeHendersonLab #TheloniousMonk #WordsFromMyHorn #TheSouthernSuite #JazzPodcast
Photo credit: EBAR
Episode summary
GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Becca Stevens joins us to explore the craft of writing and arranging for intimate settings, how open tunings and guitar shapes influence her harmony, and the emotional core behind Maple to Paper — a voice-and-guitar project that values vulnerability, presence, and truth. She also speaks openly about motherhood on the road and the real-world adjustments venues and presenters can make to better support touring parents.
What we cover
· Early influences spanning folk, jazz, and chamber music—and how those genres converge in her songs.
· Why open tunings invite fresh harmonic colors and lyric–melody interplay.
· Arranging for duo/small ensemble: leaving space, shaping counter-melodies, and pacing dynamics.
· Motherhood on tour: barriers artists face and practical changes the industry can implement now.
· What listeners can expect from these intimate performances: storytelling, reimagined favorites, and new material.
Music in this episode
· “Now Feels Bigger Than The Past” from the album Maple to Paper (GroundUP Music, 2024)
· “I’m Not Her” from the album Maple to Paper (GroundUP Music, 2024)
Links
• Artist website:
Show details (Bay Area)
• Event: Becca Stevens
• Where: Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ Center
• When: October 14–15 (four shows, two nightly)
• Showtimes: 7:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
• Tickets:
Credits
Hosted and produced by Steve Roby for Backstage Bay Area.
Audio clips used with artist/label permission.
Tags/SEO
Becca Stevens, Maple to Paper, jazz folk, open tunings, Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ, touring mothers, songwriter interview.
Episode Summary
Saxophonist, composer, and theater-maker Idris Ackamoor joins us to talk about Afrofuturism, ensemble storytelling, and why his performances are designed as communal happenings—part ritual, part dance-floor communion. We get into the craft behind his “artistic being” approach, the power of spoken word in jazz contexts, and how rhythm, memory, and movement drive his music.
Idris Ackamoor is a Chicago-born, Bay Area–based bandleader and co-founder of Cultural Odyssey and The Pyramids. A pioneering voice in Afrofuturist jazz, his work blends West African rhythmic foundations with improvisation, theater, and multimedia staging.
How he defines an “artistic being” and turns daily practice into finished compositions
The Pyramids as an ensemble for theater, dance, and groove—music that moves people (literally)
Collaborating with spoken-word icons Danny Glover and Rhodessa Jones and writing for distinctive voices
“The Grandma Cole Story”: turning family memory into melody, rhythm, and testimony
Afrofuturism as compass: studies and travels that shaped his sound and stagecraft
Protest music built for the body and the mind—clarity, groove, and human perspective (“Police Dem”)
Set design like cinema: seamless transitions, projection, and audience participation
Legacy and ownership: why preserving masters and publishing matters to the art
“I call myself an artistic being… sometimes a melody appears on the piano, sometimes on the horn—I follow it until it grows.”
“When you hear me play, I want you to know it’s me and no one else.”
“This is about participation—breaking down the wall—so the audience becomes part of the experience.”
“I get to the meat of it through the human perspective. The groove invites you in; the words ask you to stay awake.”
Host & Producer: Steve Roby — Backstage Bay Area
Guest: Idris Ackamoor
Editing/Mix: Steve Roby
Artist: Idris Ackamoor / The Pyramids – official site, socials, and music streaming
Cultural Odyssey – background on Ackamoor’s performing arts work
Label: Strut Records – catalogue and archives
Photo: Pat Mazzera
Episode summary
Violinist–vocalist Yilian Cañizares joins Backstage Bay Area to talk about the musical DNA that powers her work—classical discipline, Afro-Cuban tradition, and the open-ended spirit of jazz. She reflects on the new single “Ore,” the cross-Atlantic pulse of “Habana-Bahia,” and the next chapters: a fall EP and her full-length album Vitamina Y. Along the way, Yilian opens up about freedom, ritual, collaboration, and how she wants audiences to feel when the trio takes the stage.
Guest
Yilian Cañizares is a Havana-born, Switzerland-based artist known for fusing conservatory-level violin with Afro-diasporic rhythm and improvisation. A Montreux Jazz Festival awardee, she tours internationally with a trio featuring Childo Thomas (bass) and Inor Sotolongo (percussion).
Highlights (no timestamps)
The meaning of “freedom” in her music: composing, improvising, and singing from an honest place.
The backstory of “Ore”: a gift from childhood friend Yasser “El Gozo” that reconnects her to Cuban roots and the diaspora.
Crafting “Habana-Bahia” in Salvador, Brazil: sisterhood, women’s empowerment, and the Cuba–Bahia link through Africa.
Why the trio format (violin/voice, bass, percussion) is the perfect vehicle for spontaneity and audience connection.
Vitamina Y: the “vitamin people” who nourish her life and the album’s goal to uplift listeners.
The rollout plan: “Vamos Florescer!” and more singles leading to the full album release.
What to expect live at SFJAZZ’s Joe Henderson Lab: intimate room, evolving setlists, and early previews of new material.
Music referenced in this episode (with permission)
“Ore” (single)
“Habana-Bahia” (title track from the 2023 project)
“Vamos Florescer!” (from the forthcoming Vitamina Y rollout)
Quotes
“Jazz, for me, is freedom—the freedom to express how I feel in the moment and to share my vision of the world.”
“Every song has to come from a place of honesty, where people can know my heart a little better.”
“We want to deliver something unique every time we play.”
Links
Artist website: yiliancanizares.com
Tickets: SFJAZZ.org → Joe Henderson Lab, Yilian Cañizares (Sept 25–26; 7:00 & 8:30 p.m.)
Backstage Bay Area: BackstageBayArea.com
Credits
Host & producer: Steven Roby
Audio editing & post: Backstage Bay Area
Artwork/Photography: Frank Socha
Hashtags
#YilianCañizares #VitaminaY #BackstageBayArea #AfroCubanJazz #JazzViolin #SFJAZZ #JoeHendersonLab #HabanaBahia #Ore #BayAreaMusic
Call to action
If you enjoyed this conversation, follow Backstage Bay Area on your favorite podcast platform and leave a rating or short review—it helps more listeners discover the show.
Show Notes:
On this episode of the Backstage Bay Area Podcast, host Steve Roby sits down with the legendary Paquito D'Rivera—multi-Grammy-winning saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer—for a lively conversation that bridges continents, genres, and generations.
Paquito shares the inspiration behind his acclaimed album, Jazz Meets the Classics, revealing how his father’s classical roots and his own love for improvisation shaped a project that reimagines European and New World composers through a jazz lens. Hear how Chopin’s "Fantasia Impromptu" gets a Cuban and Brazilian twist, and why Bach might just be the original bebopper.
The episode features insights into the creative process, the art of improvisation, and the unique chemistry of Paquito’s quintet—featuring Diego Urcola (trumpet), Oscar Stagnaro (bass), Mark Walker (drums), and Alex Brown (piano). Paquito also previews his upcoming performances at the SFJAZZ Center’s Miner Auditorium, promising two nights of surprises, spontaneity, and musical magic.
Links & Resources:
Don’t miss:
Subscribe, share, and join us backstage for a masterclass in musical fusion!
Photo by: Geandy Pabon
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 story behind her debut album, "Among Giants." The conversation explores her approach to honoring jazz tradition, building stamina as a performer, and the creative process behind her original compositions.
You’ll also hear about Sarah’s upcoming performances at the Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ, her dynamic quartet, and what audiences can expect from her live shows. The episode features tracks from "Among Giants," including “Resonance” and “Stardust,” and offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sarah’s passion for music and history.
Links Mentioned:
Tickets & info for Sarah Hanahan at SFJAZZ: https://www.sfjazz.org
Learn more about Sarah Hanahan and her music: https://www.sarahhan.com
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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, storytelling, and evocative photography. Andy shares insights into his creative process, the evolution of his performance, and the threads connecting his music, visual art, and writing.
Highlights:
Event Info:
An Evening with Andy Summers
Saturday, September 27th, 7:30 PM
Presidio Theater, San Francisco
Tickets: presidiotheater.org
More info: andysummers.com
Thanks for listening to Backstage Bay Area!
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 intersections of music, activism, and community.
About the Guest:
Arturo O’Farrill is a celebrated figure in the world of Afro-Latin jazz, founder of the nonprofit Lango, and a passionate advocate for social change through music. From his early days with the Carla Bley Band to his leadership of the Afro Latin Jazz Ensemble, Arturo’s career is a testament to curiosity, integrity, and fearless creativity.
In This Episode:
Key Moments:
Don’t Miss:
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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 Steve Roby dives deep with OKAN as they share:
Their humble start at making music in a Toronto basement and finding their creative voices.
The meaning behind the name "OKAN" and how honoring their roots and heart shapes their sound.
Balancing life as musicians, partners, and parents on the road—including stories of their young son joining them on stage.
Collaborating with Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Munir Hossn on their new single "PomPom" and exploring the unique process of blending Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian influences.
Their songwriting process, the importance of supporting women composers, and how spiritual well-being and self-love fuel their art.
The making of their Juno-winning album "OKAN Tumi," and a sneak peek at their upcoming, more digitally influenced fourth album.
What to expect at their upcoming SF Jazz shows—featuring new music, dance floor energy, and a family affair on stage.
Tune in for exclusive tracks, behind-the-scenes stories, and a celebration of music that unites cultures and generations.
Featured Music:
"Pompom" (with Munir Hossn)
"OKAN Tumi"
“Me Merezco” – Exclusive preview
Upcoming Shows:
Catch OKAN at SF Jazz’s Joe Henderson Lab for four shows over two nights—details and tickets are available at sfjazz.org. For more music and tour dates, visit okanmusica.com.
Listen now for a journey of heart, rhythm, and the power of believing in your own voice.
