Articles by Steven Roby
Echoes & Inspirations: Melissa Aldana’s Jazz Journey
by Steven Roby
In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby sits down with Grammy-nominated saxophonist and composer Melissa Aldana. As the first female instrumentalist and first South American to win the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition, Melissa shares her remarkable journey from Santiago, Chile, to the global jazz stage.Playlist Melissa Aldana “Unconscious Whispers" from Echoes of the Inner Prophet (Blue Note Records) Melissa Aldana “Echoes of the Inner Prophet" from Echoes of the Inner Prophet (Blue Note ...
Continue ReadingSasha Berliner: A Homecoming That Charts the Future of the Vibraphone
by Steven Roby
In this episode, Steve Roby sits down with acclaimed vibraphonist, composer, and producer Sasha Berliner. A San Francisco native, Sasha discusses her genre-defying approach to jazz, her journey from rock drummer to jazz innovator, and the influence of the Bay Area's vibrant music scene on her sound. She shares insights into her latest album, Fantôme, her upcoming electric band project, and her experiences collaborating with top artists.Playlist Sasha Berliner “Jade" from Onyx (J.M.I. Recordings) Sasha Berliner “Zenith" from ...
Continue ReadingArturo Sandoval at Miner Auditorium
by Steven Roby
Arturo Sandoval Miner Auditorium San Francisco, CA December 18, 2025 At 76, Arturo Sandoval still walks onstage with the authority of someone who knows exactly what he offers--and how to deliver it. Thursday night at SFJAZZ's Miner Auditorium, his Swinging Holiday program unfolded as something more enduring than a festive detour. It was a living survey of bebop lineage, Afro-Cuban rhythms, and the hard-earned wisdom of a musician who has outlasted eras without dulling his edge. ...
Continue ReadingAdam Shulman: A Charlie Brown Christmas & Beyond
by Steven Roby
In 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."Adam explains how his classical piano training at UC Santa ...
Continue ReadingMichael Mayo: A Voice Taking Flight
by Steven Roby
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.Playlist Michael Mayo “Four" from ...
Continue ReadingBen Folds at Miner Auditorium
by Steven Roby
Ben Folds Miner Auditorium San Francisco, CA December 8, 2025 The holiday season often feels like a cultural rhyme--an annual cycle where the visuals, smells, and sounds are intentionally, comfortingly, and sometimes maddeningly similar to those of previous years. This was the perspective that pianist and singer-songwriter Ben Folds explored last Monday night at SFJAZZ's Miner Auditorium. Touring in support of his 2024 Christmas album Sleigher (New West Records), Folds delivered a performance that was far ...
Continue ReadingThe Klezmatics at Miner Auditorium
by Steven Roby
The Klezmatics Happier Joyous Hanukkah Miner AuditoriumSan Francisco, CA December 15, 2025 As they near their 40th anniversary in 2026, The Klezmatics delivered a jazz-infused Hanukkah program to SFJAZZ that balanced groove, grief, and collective resilience while keeping the dance floor in mind. Drawing on material from Happier Joyous Hanukkah, recently reissued on vinyl, the band framed the evening around a central idea: joy gains force when it is shared, sustained, and responsive to the ...
Continue ReadingAnat Cohen at Miner Auditorium
by Steven Roby
Anat Cohen Miner Auditorium San Francisco, CA December 11, 2025 The lobby of the SFJAZZ Center on Thursday night buzzed with the warm, affectionate energy of a family reunion. People of all ages embraced and caught up in the aisles, creating a communal atmosphere for a sold-out night that celebrated a major milestone: Anat Cohen's 50th Birthday Celebration. She delivered a master class in musical architecture, guiding the audience through a study of how an ...
Continue ReadingMs. Lisa Fischer And The Orrin Evans Trio at Miner Auditorium
by Steven Roby
Lisa Fischer and The Orrin Evans Trio Miner Auditorium San Francisco, CA December 7, 2025 This partnership combines Lisa Fischer's soaring, acrobatic vocal power with Orrin Evans' refined, inventive jazz arrangements. It is a meeting of two worlds: the grounded, “barefoot" vulnerability of a singer who has spent forty years backing rock and r&b icons, and the sophisticated structure of a pianist who approaches every chord as a question. At a public listening ...
Continue ReadingSachal Vasandani: Best Life Now, Stripped Back
by Steven Roby
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 ...
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