Results for "California"

Alison Shearer In Her Own Words

by Walter Atkins
March 5, 2026

Bandleader Alison Shearer brought her talented Quartet to San Francisco's Black Cat for an expansive four-day residency. Her quartet consisted of keyboardist Kevin Bernstein, bassist Marty Kenny, drummer Diego Joaquin Ramirez and Shearer, saxophone and flute. The set included her compositions “Celestial," “Liberty Market" and “Cycles." After a productive week, she spent an extra day in ...

Michael League Ellipsis at SFJAZZ Center

by Roy Strassman
March 2, 2026

Michael League Ellipsis  SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA January 29, 2026 On an uncharacteristically balmy January evening, Michael League brought Ellipsis to the SFJAZZ Center, featuring Cuban conguero/batalero, singer (akpwón), dancer, and composer Pedrito Martinez. The ensemble also included famed Mexican drummer Antonio Sanchez and Cuban keyboardist and synthesizer player Glenda ...

Delfeayo Marsalis on Street Rhythms and the Spirit of Mardi Gras

by Steven Roby
February 17, 2026

In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby sits down with acclaimed trombonist, producer, and educator Delfeayo Marsalis. A 2011 NEA Jazz Master and a member of New Orleans' legendary musical first family, Marsalis has earned a reputation as a “merchant of joy" and a vital ambassador for the Crescent City's culture.

Teodross Avery & The Kei Akagi Trio Commemorate The Miles Davis and John Coltrane Centennials at Winifred Smith Hall

by Hobart Taylor
February 16, 2026

Kei Akagi Trio with Teodross Avery Winifred Smith HallIrvine, CA Centennial Concert Celebrating Miles Davis and John Coltrane February 12, 2026 How do you cut to the chase when contemplating the work of these determinative demigods of jazz? How do you do it in just four tunes? In ...

Alex Robinson

Born: April 15

Alex Robinson is a vocalist, pianist, composer, and arranger based in Southern California. A versatile musician, she has performed in a variety of settings from solo and duo work to big bands and orchestras. Her warm, smooth timbre, sharp lyricism, and playful improvisational style captivate audiences from her first note. She brings a refreshing modern twist to jazz standards and performs a broad range of styles with jazz-influenced musicality.

Her debut album I Really Oughta Tell You balances elegance, wit, and emotional depth while showcasing her gift for storytelling through song

Greg Osby at SFJAZZ Center

by Harry S. Pariser
February 6, 2026

Greg Osby SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA February 1, 2026 Alto jazz saxophonist Greg Osby has an impressive résumé. A St. Louis, Missouri native, Osby finished his studies at Howard University and the Berklee College of Music before moving to New York City in 1982. Since then he has performed and ...

Simon Phillips on Protocol, Precision, and the Power of the Hang

by Steven Roby
January 30, 2026

Legendary drummer Simon Phillips joins host Steve Roby to discuss five decades of rhythmic mastery, from teenage session work in 1970s London to leading the modern jazz fusion powerhouse Protocol.Fresh off the acclaimed 2022 release Protocol V, Simon reveals he's already recorded Protocol VI, set to drop this spring alongside a major European tour. ...

Michael League's Musical Universe Unleashed

by Steven Roby
January 27, 2026

Five-time Grammy winner Michael League sat down with Steve Roby to discuss his groundbreaking residency at SFJAZZ Center--a five-night exploration that shatters the “one-band" label and reveals the full spectrum of his creative life. Best known as the founder of Snarky Puppy, League has spent his career defying categorization. In this conversation, he opens ...

Braxton Cook Plays SFJAZZ

by Ronald Davis
January 25, 2026

From Hendrix to Henderson: Marcus Machado's Black Psychedelic Funk Journey

by Steven Roby
January 25, 2026

Guitarist Marcus Machado joins host Steve Roby to discuss his journey from childhood prodigy to genre-blurring artist. Dubbed “the next young gun" by Rolling Stone, Machado has toured and recorded with Anderson Paak, Robert Glasper, and Jon Batiste, while his film scores have appeared in award-winning documentaries.Playlist Marcus Machado “Get By" from Aquarius Purple ...