Miss Rhythm – The Legend of Ruth Brown explores the life and times of R&B legend Ruth Brown through story and song, accompanied by a five-piece jazz band and created by and featuring Sheryl McCallum (Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway; Xanadu, Oklahoma, and The Wild Party at the Denver Center) and featuring David Nehls (The Great American Trailer Park Musical, composer/lyricist; Xanadu and The Other Josh Cohen at the Denver Center). Ruth Brown is a pioneer in developing rock, blues, and jazz, a Tony and Grammy award-winner, and an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A true original who showed grace and strength with a great sense of humor, Ruth Brown took the stage with as much talent as she did warmth.

This episode of Backstage Jazz features an interview with MaryLynn Gillaspie, a founding member of the Grammy-nominated vocal jazz group Rare Silk.

Rare Silk started in Boulder, CO. Their very first album, New Weave, flew to the top of the Billboard Jazz charts and received 2 Grammy nominations. MaryLynn and the group toured the world singing in the US, Europe, and Japan. MaryLynn’s return to singing began about 11 years ago. She performs locally at Suter Du Bose’s Caffe Sole and in Denver with different musical configurations. Her self-produced CD ‘Starlight’ received solid airplay on Denver’s Jazz station KUVO-FM. 

On this episode of Backstage Jazz, you'll also hear selections from Grover Washington Jr., Curtis Mayfield, and Grant Greet. The two-hour program features music from legends to the latest releases, along with musician interviews,

Host Steve Roby interviews jazz pianist Spencer Zweifel about his residency and tribute to Burt Bacharach at Nocturne Jazz Cub in Denver. Since forming his first jazz group at age 16, Spencer Zweifel has become a regular member of the Colorado music scene. An accomplished jazz pianist, Zweifel has performed professionally in various genres across Colorado and on tours around the US. 

Spencer graduated in 2019 with a degree in jazz studies from the University of Northern Colorado and won ‘Best Pop/Rock Soloist’ in the 2018 Downbeat Magazine student awards.

Bandleader Gabriel Mervine is deeply rooted in the traditions of Jazz and Classical and is an active contributor to the modern music scene both in Colorado and nationally. Born in Bridgewater, New Jersey, Gabriel began his professional playing career at the age of thirteen.

Every week on Backstage Jazz, you’ll hear a blend of contemporary and classic jazz and a touch of soul, funk, and blues, all selected by music journalist and host Steven Roby.

On This episode of Backstage Jazz, we're featuring an interview with jazz drummer Harold Summey. Summey has been a drummer/percussionist for over thirty years. The individuals he has performed with as either drummer or percussionist include Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Buck Hill, Harold Mabern, Eric Alexander, Gunther Schuller, Wynton Marsalis, Geri Allen, Pat Metheny, Whitney Houston. In 1992, Mr. Summey was the first-prize winner of the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition.

Every week on Backstage Jazz, you’ll hear a blend of contemporary and classic jazz and a touch of soul, funk, and blues, all selected by music journalist and host Steven Roby.

This episode features an exclusive interview with jazz bassist Seth Lewis.

Every week on Backstage Jazz, you’ll hear a blend of contemporary and classic jazz and a touch of soul, funk, and world music, all selected by music journalist and host Steven Roby.

Our guests on today’s show are BB King’s youngest daughter Claudette King, smooth jazz guitarist Gregory Goodloe, Tower of Power’s keyboardist Roger Smith, and pianist Ben Markley.

This show features an interview with Johnny Burroughs and Briana Harris of the funk/jazz band The Burroughs and a tribute to Tony Bennet. 

On Backstage Jazz, you’ll hear a blend of contemporary and classic jazz and a touch of soul, funk, and world music, all selected by music journalist and host Steven Roby.

On this episode of Backstage Jazz, host Steven Roby interviews Trance Blues musician Otis Taylor, musicians Daniel Steigleder and Sarah Mount, and neo-soul singer Wellington Bullings.

Best-selling music author and respected photojournalist Steven Roby brings his Backstage Jazz radio show to the TAVN Jazz Network. Join him on The Backstage Jazz show as he crafts unique musical sets and interviews Denver’s top musicians and those on tour here.

This episode features an interview with Al Chesis from The Delta Sonics.