Songs & Stories

Episode SummaryIn this festive episode, Steve Roby chats with acclaimed pianist, composer, and educator Adam Shulman, a key figure in the San Francisco jazz scene since 2002. Known for his work as a sideman with artists like Paula West, Stefon Harris, and Miguel Zenón, as well as for his own original albums, Adam shares insights into his musical journey and the timeless magic of Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Key Topics & HighlightsA Holiday Tradition: Adam shares his yearly tribute to Vince Guaraldi’s “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” performed with his trio at SF Jazz’s Miner Auditorium. He reflects on why the music connects across generations and how it has become a family tradition for many in the Bay Area. Musical Roots: Adam explains how his classical piano training at UC Santa Cruz and mentorship under Smith Dobson influenced his approach to jazz improvisation and composition.Compositional Process: The episode features tracks from Adam’s catalog, including “The Little Ones” and “Mingus Dreams of Billy Strayhorn.” Adam explains his creative process, often starting with harmony and drawing inspiration from jazz greats.The Art of Adaptation: Adam discusses balancing his roles as a bandleader and a sought-after sideman, and how collaborating with different artists shapes his unique sound. Behind the Scenes: Listeners get a preview of the upcoming Charlie Brown Christmas show, including the setlist featuring music from both the original album and Guaraldi’s “A Boy Named Charlie Brown,” along with introductions to his longtime bandmates John Tala (bass) and James Gallagher (drums).Family-Friendly Jazz: Adam and Steve discuss the importance of introducing young audiences to live jazz and how the Charlie Brown Christmas show serves as a gateway for many to discover jazz.Event DetailsAdam Shulman Trio Plays A Charlie Brown ChristmasDate: Sunday, December 21stTime: 1:00 PM (Matinee)Location: SF Jazz’s Miner AuditoriumTickets & Info: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/adam-shulman-trio-charlie-brown-christmas/Bring the whole family for an afternoon of timeless holiday music and jazz improvisation!Connect with Adam ShulmanLearn more about Adam’s music and upcoming performances on his website: https://www.adamshulmanjazz.comThanks for Listening!If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Backstage Bay Area. Stay tuned for more conversations with the jazz artists shaping the Bay Area’s vibrant music scene. We’re keeping Jazz Alive in the 415!

Episode Summary: In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby sits down with vocalist and composer Michael Mayo to discuss his whirlwind year. Fresh off two Grammy nominations—Best Jazz Vocal Album for Fly and Best Jazz Performance for "Four"—Michael opens up about the surreal moment he got the news in Paris. We dive into his viral NPR Tiny Desk Concert, his philosophy on using looper pedals versus acoustic arrangements,and his deep musical lineage. Michael also previews his upcoming year-end show at SFJAZZ, part of the Terence Blanchard-curated "UpSwing" series.In This Episode:The Grammy Moment: Michael shares his reaction to receiving two nominations while soundchecking in Paris.NPR Tiny Desk: How he turned the audience into a choir and the importance of community in his performances.Song Breakdown - "Four": Reimagining a Miles Davis classic by adding "mischief" and a new rhythmic feel without changing the harmony.Song Breakdown - "Just Friends": Finding the universal heartbreak in a Great American Songbook standard.Tech vs. Tradition: How Michael balances his signature looper pedal techniques with a traditional jazz quartet setup.Musical Roots: Growing up with parents who worked with Earth, Wind & Fire and Diana Ross, and knowing from age three that music was his path.Featured Music:"Four" - Fly (Deluxe Edition)"Just Friends" - Fly (Deluxe Edition)Show Links & Tickets:Live at SFJAZZ: Michael Mayo & Sasha Berliner (UpSwing Double Bill)Date: Saturday, December 27, 2025Venue: Miner Auditorium, San FranciscoTickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/upswing-sasha-berliner-michael-mayo/Connect with Michael Mayo:Website: michaelmayomusic.comInstagram: @themichaelmayoFacebook: Michael Mayo MusicYouTube: Michael Mayo

Episode Description: In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with vocalist and songwriter Sachal Vasandani. Known for a voice that critics call "transfixing," Sachal has collaborated with everyone from Wynton Marsalis to Bobby McFerrin.Sachal discusses his latest project, Best Life Now, and the surprising journey of taking that album—originally produced with deep grooves by drummer Nate Smith—and stripping it back to its raw, acoustic essentials. We dive into his philosophy on jazz improvisation, his "brush your teeth" approach to vocal discipline, and how he navigates the confusing headspace of post-pandemic life through song.In This Episode, We Cover:·       The Ella Effect: How listening to Ella Fitzgerald taught him to find new "nooks and crannies" in songs he has sung thousands of times.·       The Acoustic Pivot: Why a logistical travel snag turned into a creative breakthrough for his Acoustic Sessions EP.·       Lyrical Tension: The story behind the title track "Best Life Now" and why living your "best life" isn't always as simple as it sounds.·       Teaching Jazz: Sachal’s unique philosophy on balancing technical discipline with the freedom to break the rules.·       Live at Joe Henderson Lab: Previewing his intimate reunion with Bay Area natives Dayna Stephens and Charles Altura.Featured Music:·       "Best Life Now" (Acoustic Version)·       "Too Easy"Links & Resources:·       Tickets: Sachal Vasandani at SFJAZZ (Dec 12)·       Album: Best Life Now & Acoustic Sessions EP (Available on all streaming platforms)Connect with Backstage Bay Area:·       Website: Backstagebayarea.com·       Host: Steven Roby

Episode Description: In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with Frank London, trumpeter and founding member of the Grammy Award-winning band The Klezmatics.For four decades, The Klezmatics have been the world’s leading voice in blending traditional Yiddish roots with the energy of punk, jazz, and gospel. Frank shares stories from the band’s origins in New York’s gritty East Village scene of the 1980s and discusses their landmark collaboration with the Woody Guthrie estate—a project that unearthed lost Hanukkah lyrics by the American folk icon.We also get an exclusive preview of their upcoming album, We Were Made for These Times, and discuss why bringing "happy, joyous" energy to the stage is a necessary form of activism today.In This Episode, We Cover:·       The East Village Spark: How the 1980s avant-garde and punk scenes helped launch a global klezmer revival.·       Woody Guthrie’s Lost Lyrics: The incredible story of how Nora Guthrie discovered her father's Jewish-themed writings and tapped The Klezmatics to bring them to life.·       40 Years of Music: How the band has kept its core lineup together and evolved its sound over four decades.·       New Music Preview: Frank discusses the socially conscious themes behind their upcoming 2026 album, We Were Made for These Times.·       Live at SFJAZZ: Why the band goes "full throttle" on improvisation when they play the Miner Auditorium.Featured Music:·       "Spin Dreydl Spin"·       "(Do The) Latke Flip-Flip"Links & Resources:·       Tickets: The Klezmatics at SFJAZZ (Dec 15)·       Website: The Klezmatics Official Site·       Album: Woody Guthrie's Happy Joyous Hanukkah (Vinyl Reissue out now)Connect with Backstage Bay Area:·       Website: Backstagebayarea.com·       Instagram: @BackstageBayArea·       Host: Steven Roby

Episode Summary: In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, Steven Roby sits down with Grammy-nominated clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen. Known for her expressive virtuosity and infectious charisma, Anat is bringing a massive milestone celebration to San Francisco.We discuss her upcoming "50th Birthday Celebration" at SFJAZZ (December 11-12), a career-spanning residency featuring her intimate "Quartetinho" ensemble and her expansive 10-piece "Tentet." Anat opens up about growing up in a musical household in Tel Aviv, her "student for life" philosophy while pursuing a master’s degree in Rio de Janeiro, and the creative visualization behind her latest album, Bloom.In This Episode, We Cover:The Cohen Family House: Growing up in Tel Aviv with brothers Yuval and Avishai and fighting for sonic space.Defining "Quartetinho": How her "little quartet" creates a massive sound through multi-instrumentalism (accordion, vibes, guitar, and electronics).Visualizing the Music: The fascinating story of how a solo clarinet practice session evolved into the track "The Night Owl."The Eternal Student: Why Anat returned to university to study Brazilian music in the middle of a successful touring career.Big Band Energy: Recording Interaction Live with the WDR Big Band and her brothers.Show Preview: What audiences can expect at the SFJAZZ Birthday Celebration, from intimate duos to "wild party moments".Featured Music:"The Night Owl" – From the album Bloom (2024, Anzic Records)."Footsteps and Smiles" – From the album Interaction Live (2025, Anzic Records).Links & Resources:TICKETS: Anat Cohen 50th Birthday Celebration at SFJAZZ (Dec 11-12, Miner Auditorium).Official Website: AnatCohen.comRecord Label: Anzic RecordsLatest Album: BloomConnect with Backstage Bay Area:Website: BackstageBayArea.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/backstagesfbay/Host: Steven RobyIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review!