Songs & Stories

Backstage Bay Area – Episode with Amaro FreitasGuest: Amaro Freitas, acclaimed Brazilian jazz pianist and composerHost: Steve RobyEpisode Highlights:Introduction to Amaro Freitas, his Afro-Brazilian roots, and his unique approach to jazz piano.Amaro discusses his musical beginnings in Brazil, learning piano in church, and the influence of family and local musicians.Deep dive into Amaro’s rhythmic style, blending African, Brazilian, and jazz traditions.Influences: Amaro shares how Chick Corea and other jazz legends shaped his sound and creative process.Stories from Amaro’s career, including memorable performances and personal encounters with Chick Corea.Discussion of Amaro’s latest album, "Y’Y," inspired by the Amazon, nature, ancestry, and the power of water.Exploration of the track "Encantados," its roots in Afro-Indigenous legends, and the spiritual connection between music, nature, and humanity.Amaro’s approach to live performance, improvisation, and adapting his set for intimate venues like the Joe Henderson Lab at SF Jazz Center.Preview of upcoming shows in San Francisco, including details on setlists, improvisation, and audience interaction.Featured Tracks:"Y’Y" (title track)"Encantados"Upcoming Events:Amaro Freitas performing solo at the Joe Henderson Lab, SF Jazz Center, San Francisco.Four shows: Friday, October 24th & Saturday, October 25th, 7:00 PM and 8:30 PM.Tickets and info: sfjazz.orgLinks:Amaro Freitas Official WebsiteSF Jazz Center TicketsConnect:Follow Backstage Bay Area for more artist interviews and behind-the-scenes stories.Share the episode and join us at SFJAZZ

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:Blending jazz improvisation with electronic productionThe origins and evolution of Dolphin HyperspaceThe influence of Brazilian music and artists like Tom JobimLive performance dynamics and audience engagementUpcoming releases and collaborationsRelevant Links:Nicole McCabe’s website: nicolemccabemusic.comDolphin Hyperspace on Bandcamp: Bandcamp (search "Dolphin Hyperspace" for direct link)SFJAZZ tickets: sfjazz.orgNicole’s music on streaming platforms: Available on all major servicesFollow Nicole on Instagram: (Check her website for the latest social links)Upcoming Show:Dolphin Hyperspace at the Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ CenterFriday, October 17th — Shows at 7:00 PM & 8:30 PMTickets: sfjazz.orgThanks 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:The current Dumpstaphunk touring lineup and each member’s contribution.The story and spirit behind the single “Let’s Do It,” including the late Nick Daniels II’s influence.The collaborative songwriting and performance process within the band.The significance of “United Nations Stomp” and its message of unity, featuring Marcus King.Balancing danceable grooves with meaningful, socially conscious lyrics.Teasers for the upcoming show at SF Jazz Center’s Miner Auditorium, including a special Bay Area tribute.How the band shapes their setlist to keep the New Orleans energy alive.Songs Featured:“Let’s Do It” by Dumpstaphunk“United Nations Stomp” (Buddy Miles cover, featuring Marcus King)Links & Resources:Dumpstaphunk Official Website: https://dumpstaphunk.comSF Jazz Center (Tickets & Info): https://www.sfjazz.orgUpcoming Show:Dumpstaphunk performs Saturday, October 11th at 7:30 PM at Miner Auditorium, SF Jazz Center, San Francisco.Get your tickets: https://www.sfjazz.orgConnect with the Show:For more episodes and updates, follow Backstage Bay Area.

Episode SummaryOn 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 HearMartha 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.GuestGuest: 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.LinksTickets — 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 ActionEnjoy 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

SummaryTrumpeter 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 HERVEYAlbum — Words From My Horn (includes “Du-Rag”): Outside In Music / Bandcamp. Outside in MusicSean Mason — official site: seanmasonofficial.com. The Sean Mason StoreAlbum — The Southern Suite (Blue Engine Records): album page. Jazz at Lincoln Center+1Single — “Open Your Heart” (official studio video): YouTube. YouTubeAnthony Hervey & Sean Mason — Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ (Monk & Originals): tickets/info at SFJAZZ.org. sfjazz.orgThe duo’s “living-room” approach at the Joe Henderson LabThe roots of “Du-Rag”: ragtime strains, gospel color, and Hervey/Mason’s dialogueWhy “Open Your Heart” pivots from ballad glow to spontaneous double-timeSet-to-set variety, audience conversation, and letting the music choose the pathWebsite & archives: BackstageBayArea.com. Backstage Bay AreaYouTube channel (full episodes & clips): @BackstageBayArea. YouTubeHost/Producer: Steven Roby (Backstage Bay Area)Music featured with permission of the artists and labels.#BackstageBayArea #AnthonyHervey #SeanMason #SFJAZZ #JoeHendersonLab #TheloniousMonk #WordsFromMyHorn #TheSouthernSuite #JazzPodcastPhoto credit: EBAR

Episode summaryGRAMMY-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:https://beccastevens.com 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:https://www.sfjazz.org/ CreditsHosted and produced by Steve Roby for Backstage Bay Area.Audio clips used with artist/label permission. Tags/SEOBecca Stevens, Maple to Paper, jazz folk, open tunings, Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ, touring mothers, songwriter interview.

Episode SummarySaxophonist, 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 compositionsThe 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 testimonyAfrofuturism as compass: studies and travels that shaped his sound and stagecraftProtest music built for the body and the mind—clarity, groove, and human perspective (“Police Dem”)Set design like cinema: seamless transitions, projection, and audience participationLegacy 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 AreaGuest: Idris AckamoorEditing/Mix: Steve RobyArtist: Idris Ackamoor / The Pyramids – official site, socials, and music streamingCultural Odyssey – background on Ackamoor’s performing arts workLabel: Strut Records – catalogue and archivesPhoto: Pat Mazzera

Episode summaryViolinist–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.GuestYilian 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.”LinksArtist website: yiliancanizares.comTickets: SFJAZZ.org → Joe Henderson Lab, Yilian Cañizares (Sept 25–26; 7:00 & 8:30 p.m.)Backstage Bay Area: BackstageBayArea.comCreditsHost & producer: Steven RobyAudio editing & post: Backstage Bay AreaArtwork/Photography: Frank SochaHashtags#YilianCañizares #VitaminaY #BackstageBayArea #AfroCubanJazz #JazzViolin #SFJAZZ #JoeHendersonLab #HabanaBahia #Ore #BayAreaMusicCall to actionIf 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:Tickets for Paquito D'Rivera at SFJAZZ: sfjazz.orgPaquito D'Rivera’s official website: paquitodrivera.comMore about the album: Jazz Meets the ClassicsDon’t miss:The story behind "Fantasia Impromptu" and its journey from Chopin to HavanaWhy every live jazz show is a new adventureWhat makes performing in the Bay Area special for PaquitoSubscribe, 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.orgLearn more about Sarah Hanahan and her music: https://www.sarahhan.comSubscribe to Backstage Bay Area for more exclusive interviews and insights from the vibrant music scene!