Show Notes

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.

In This Episode:

The Early Days – Simon recalls stepping into BBC studios at 16 with long hair, patchouli oil, and a Ludwig kit, sight-reading charts for string sections while older musicians in ties looked on skeptically. He shares how growing up in his father's band prepared him for high-pressure sessions with session legends like Herbie Flowers and Ray Cooper.

Protocol V & Beyond – Fresh off the acclaimed 2022 release Protocol V, Simon reveals he's already recorded Protocol Six, set to drop this spring alongside a major European tour. He discusses his new approach of road-testing material live before release, following in the footsteps of Tony Williams and his late collaborator Harami.

The Music Breakdown:

"Jagannath" – How a Wednesday morning trash truck inspired an Indian-influenced opener with massive sound

"Undeviginti" – The story of a melody that interrupted breakfast and became a groove in 19/16 that still makes you nod your head

The Band – Meet the Protocol lineup heading to Yoshi's: bassist Ernest Tibbs (since 2013), keyboardist Otmaro Ruiz, guitarist Alex Sill, and new saxophonist Philip Whack, whose Joe Henderson-esque tone brings fresh energy to the group.

The Yoshi's Experience – Why Simon loves the Oakland venue's Meyer sound system, professional crew, and intimate vibe (even if he wishes they'd let him play longer sets).

Gear Talk – Simon debuts a brand new Tama mahogany kit finished in green lacquer—the same kit used to record Protocol VI.

Catch Simon Phillips & Protocol Live:

📅 Monday, January 26th at Yoshi's Oakland

🎟️ Tickets: https://yoshis.com

🌐 More info: https://www.simon-phillips.com

*Doors 7:00 PM | Show 7:30 PM*

Featured Tracks:

"Jagannath" – Protocol Five

"Undeviginti" – Protocol Five

All music used on the show was used with the artist’s permission and is present for promotional purposes.

 Photo: Stephanie Cabral

Backstage Bay Area is hosted by Steve Roby

Five-time Grammy winner Michael League sits down with Steve Roby to discuss his groundbreaking residency at SF Jazz 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 up about why he's never been content being "Mr. Snarky Puppy," his evolution from band leader to curator and "designated hitter," and how his residency format challenges audiences to see musicians as the multidimensional artists they truly are.

Episode Highlights:

The Power of Diversity
League discusses how his residency brings together musicians from Mexico, Cuba, Turkey, Macedonia, the UK, Brooklyn, and North Carolina—a powerful statement in 2026 about the vital role immigrants and people of color play in American music culture.

Ellipsis: The Frankenstein Album
Hear the fascinating story behind "Obbakoso" and the Ellipsis collaboration with Antonio Sánchez and Pedrito Martinez—an album created entirely backwards, where improvisation came first and composition followed.

Looking Back at Lingus
League reflects on Snarky Puppy's breakthrough track with refreshing honesty, comparing it to "looking at college photos" while acknowledging how it opened doors to the deeper, more nuanced work the band creates today.

The Future is Curation
Why League sees his future less as a frontman and more as a facilitator, curator, and bass player at heart—someone who thrives supporting others and creating "unique, bespoke musical experiences."

Breaking Down the Proscenium
The value of listening parties and soundcheck conversations, where artists and audiences meet on equal ground, without the barrier of performance expectations.

Featured Music:

• "Obbakoso" from Ellipsis on GroundUp Music (Michael League, Antonio Sánchez, Pedrito Martínez)
• "Lingus (We Like It Here)" on GroundUp Music, by Snarky Puppy

All songs used with the artist’s permission.

Relevant Links:

SF Jazz Residency Information:
SF Jazz Center – January 29–February 1, 2026

Michael League:

• GroundUP Music
• Snarky Puppy Official

Featured Artists:

• Bill Laurance
• Antonio Sánchez
• Pedrito Martinez
• Corey Henry
• Becca Stevens

Backstage Bay Area is hosted by Steve Roby

Guest: Marcus Machado

Episode Description

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, including Mr. Soul and Apollo. In this episode, he shares stories about his early influences, his approach to blending rock, funk, hip hop, and jazz, and what audiences can expect from his upcoming intimate performances at SF Jazz.

Featured Songs

"Get By" – An instrumental track recorded during the pandemic, offering a message of hope and resilience during difficult times.

"Black Psychedelic Funk" – A spontaneous groove that started in Amsterdam in 2007-2008, featuring Daru Jones on drums and Jermaine Holmes (from D'Angelo and The Vanguard) on backing vocals.

Episode Highlights

Marcus's incredible origin story: picking up a guitar at age 2, playing electric by age 4.

His first musical memory: hearing Jimi Hendrix's "EXP" from Axis: Bold as Love.

Performing "The Wind Cries Mary" at his kindergarten graduation.

The influence of the Band of Gypsys as the first true funk-rock band.

His philosophy of staying hungry and remaining a student of the guitar.

Gear talk: analog pedals, Vox amps, Barons fuzz faces, and keeping it simple

What to expect from his intimate trio performances at SF Jazz

Show Details

Marcus Machado at SFJAZZ Center – Joe Henderson Lab

Date: Thursday, January 22nd

Sets: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM

Featuring: Uriah Duffy (bass) and Damon Jamal Taylor (drums) – all Bay Area musicians

Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/marcus-machado

Limited edition vinyl available at the show, including Aquarius Purple and Blue Diamonds – each with a mystery color variant!

Links

Marcus Machado's Website: https://www.marcusmachado.com

Backstage Bay Area: https://www.backstagebayarea.com

Backstage Bay Area is hosted by Steve Roby

Episode Description:

Alto saxophonist, vocalist, and composer Braxton Cook joins host Steve Roby for an intimate conversation about his latest album Not Everyone Can Go—a deeply personal record that captures the intersection of touring life, fatherhood, and artistic evolution.

In this episode, Braxton discusses:

Growing up in a musically diverse household and his early connection to the saxophone

Navigating the tension between career ambition and family life with two young sons

The collaborative spirit behind Not Everyone Can Go, featuring multiple producers and musicians from his Los Angeles community

The emotional anchor of "My Everything" and the improvised urgency of "Kingdom Come."

Letting go of relationships and habits that no longer serve his journey

The importance of faith, gratitude, and staying true to what 12-year-old Braxton loved

Featured Tracks:

"My Everything"

"Kingdom Come"

Upcoming SFJAZZ Show:

Braxton Cook with Kiefer Trio + Josh Johnson

Smart Bomb Takeover Series

Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 4:00 PM

Miner Auditorium at SFJAZZ Center

201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA

An evening of exploratory jazz, hip-hop-leaning grooves, and soulful improvisation featuring three distinct voices in contemporary music. Tickets and details available at sfjazz.org.

Learn More:

Braxton Cook: braxtoncook.com

Backstage Bay Area: backstagebayarea.com

Keeping Jazz Alive in the 415

All music was provided by the artist and used with permission

In this episode, host Steve Roby sits down with Grammy-winning Brazilian mandolin virtuoso Hamilton de Holanda to discuss his innovative approach to the 10-string bandolim, the deep connections between choro and jazz, and his upcoming SFJAZZ performance.

Episode Highlights:

Hamilton shares his musical upbringing in a family where instruments were his childhood toys, receiving his first mandolin as a Christmas gift at age five in 1981. He discusses the power of the trio format with drummer Big Bel and keyboardist Thiago Alves, calling it the "perfect formation" that allows complete musical freedom.

The conversation explores two featured tracks from Hamilton's Latin Grammy-winning live album, recorded in New York City:

"Afro Choro" – Composed during the 2020 pandemic as part of a prolific period in which Hamilton wrote over 300 songs, this piece celebrates the African roots of choro music and features a stunning improvisation by saxophonist Chris Potter that bridges Brazilian and American jazz traditions.

"o1 Byte 10 Cordas" – Inspired by Hamilton's stepson (a tech genius who also plays the 10-string mandolin) and the classic Afro Sambas album by Baden Powell and Vinicius de Moraes, this composition reflects Hamilton's philosophy of bridging tradition and modernity.

Hamilton describes his artistic mission as finding "the perfect way to play between the modern and the traditional," a philosophy that extends beyond music into his daily life.

Upcoming Performance:

Hamilton de Holanda Trio

SF Jazz Center – Miner Auditorium

Friday, January 16th at 7:30 PM

The trio will perform selections from their Latin Grammy-winning live album plus brand new compositions written during their current U.S. tour. Expect an evening of virtuosic musicianship, deep Brazilian tradition, and fearless improvisation.

Get Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/hamilton-de-holanda-trio/

Keeping Jazz Alive in the 415. We’re Backstage Bay Area!

Brazilian guitarist and composer Chico Pinheiro joins Backstage Bay Area to talk about his musical journey, his duo collaboration with Vinicius Cantuária, and the stories behind his compositions “City of Dreams” and “Estrada Real” ahead of their upcoming SFJAZZ performances.

A DownBeat Rising Star guitarist, Pinheiro reflects on his early start as a working musician in São Paulo, how Jimi Hendrix first pulled him to the guitar, and why “fun” has always been central to his artistic philosophy. He also explores the emotional geography behind “City of Dreams,” written during his move from São Paulo to New York, and the historical resonance of “Estrada Real,” inspired by Brazil’s colonial-era gold route.

Pinheiro also shares how his partnership with Vinicius Cantuária grew from admiration into a deep musical simpático, and what audiences can expect from their intimate duo sets—original music, Brazilian classics, Jobim, and spontaneous interplay shaped by close listening.

🎵 Music featured in this episode was used with permission and provided by the artist.

“City of Dreams”
“Estrada Real”
Music by Chico Pinheiro, from his catalog. Used with permission.

Vinicius Cantuária & Chico Pinheiro
January 16–17
SFJAZZ Center — Joe Henderson Lab
Showtimes: 7:00 p.m. & 8:30 p.m.
Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/vinicius-cantuaria-chico-pinheiro/

Chico Pinheiro's official website:
https://www.chicopinheiro.com/

Backstage Bay Area brings you in-depth conversations with the artists shaping today’s jazz scene—from intimate club performers to global innovators. Hosted by Steven Roby.
Keeping Jazz Alive in the 415.

Episode Summary: In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, we sit down with two-time Grammy Award-winning pianist and composer Taylor Eigsti. A Menlo Park native who released his debut album at age 14, Eigsti has evolved from a local prodigy into one of the most versatile and celebrated voices in modern jazz. Fresh off his 2025 Grammy win for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album (Plot Armor), Eigsti joins us to discuss his deep Bay Area roots, the emotional architecture of his latest compositions, and his upcoming homecoming performance at SFJAZZ.

In This Episode:

·       From Prodigy to Peer: Eigsti reflects on his upbringing in a music-filled household, the profound influence of his late sister and father, and the pivotal mentorship he received from local legends like Dr. Herb Wong and Bud Spangler.

·       The Animation of "Sparky": We dive into the backstory of "Sparky" from the album Tree Falls. Eigsti reveals how the 1987 animated film Sparky’s Magic Piano—a childhood favorite about humility and practice—inspired the track's structure and its complex, 130-track production.

·       Crowdsourcing a Symphony: Eigsti breaks down his massive 2022 commission for the Hewlett Foundation, "Imagine Our Future." He explains the Herculean task of weaving over 100 diverse submissions from Northern California youth—ranging from poetry to visual art—into a cohesive piece for a 12-person ensemble.

·       Turning Grief into Art: In a deeply personal segment, Eigsti opens up about "Fire Within" from his latest album, Plot Armor. He discusses the process of adapting his late mother’s writings on dementia into lyrics, brought to life through a poignant collaboration with vocalist Lisa Fischer and guitarist Julian Lage.

·       SFJAZZ Preview: A look ahead to his January 17th double bill at Miner Auditorium with saxophonist Melissa Aldana. Eigsti introduces his band for the evening—Oscar Seton (drums), Charles Altera (guitar), and Jonathan Marin (bass)—and hints at the unique energy of this specific lineup.

Featured Music:

·       "Sparky" – from Tree Falls (2021) 

·       "Fire Within" – from Plot Armor (2024) 

Key Links:

·       Get Tickets for SFJAZZ show: Taylor Eigsti & Melissa Aldana at SFJAZZ (Jan 17)

·       Stream the Album: Listen to Plot Armor on Spotify

·       Watch: Sparky’s Magic Piano (YouTube)

·       Artist Website: Taylor Eigsti Official Site

The artist granted permission to use the music featured on this podcast.

Show Notes:

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.

Highlights:

•    Melissa discusses her early influences, including her family’s musical legacy and the pivotal moment she switched to tenor sax after hearing Sonny Rollins.

•    Insights into her creative process, the importance of transcribing jazz greats, and learning to embrace her own sound.

•    The story behind her latest Blue Note album, Echoes of the Inner Prophet, and how it honors the late Wayne Shorter.

•    A preview of her upcoming album Filin, produced by Don Was, featuring Central and South American ballads and collaborations with renowned artists.

•    Reflections on music as a tool for personal growth and connection.

•    Details about her upcoming performance at SFJAZZ’s Miner Auditorium as part of the Upswing series, sharing the stage with pianist Taylor Eigsti.

•     

Featured Tracks:

•    “Unconscious Whispers” from Echoes of the Inner Prophet

•    “Echoes of the Inner Prophet” (title track)

Links & Resources:

•    Melissa Aldana Official Website

•    Echoes of the Inner Prophet on Blue Note Records

•    SFJAZZ Tickets & Info

•    DownBeat Magazine

•    Follow Melissa Aldana on Instagram

Upcoming San Francisco Show:

•    Date: Saturday, January 17th

•    Venue: Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center

•    Double Bill: Melissa Aldana & Taylor Eigsti

•    Get Tickets

Episode: Sasha Berliner at SFJAZZ — Recontextualizing the Vibraphone

In this episode, we welcome San Francisco native Sasha Berliner, a vibraphonist, composer, and producer whose work serves as a spectral map of contemporary music. Berliner has emerged as a primary voice in the New York scene by deconstructing the traditional boundaries of her instrument, blending a rigorous jazz foundation with the kinetic, "genre-blurring" spirit of the Bay Area.

We discuss her journey from rock drumming in Oakland to studying harmony with Stefon Harris, and her current trajectory toward a new "electric" aesthetic inspired by the fusion giants of the 1970s.

Sasha Berliner returns home this week for a double bill with vocalist Michael Mayo at SFJAZZ.

Keeping Jazz Alive in the 415.

Episode Summary

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.”

Key Topics & Highlights

A 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 Details

Adam Shulman Trio Plays A Charlie Brown Christmas

Date: Sunday, December 21st

Time: 1:00 PM (Matinee)

Location: SF Jazz’s Miner Auditorium

Tickets & 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 Shulman

Learn more about Adam’s music and upcoming performances on his website: https://www.adamshulmanjazz.com

Thanks 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!