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Artwork for Songs & Stories

Songs & Stories

Backstage Bay Area
Tom Rigney
Sweetwater Music Hall
Achilles Wheel
Sundogs
Flambeau
Cajun Music
European Tour
After the Party
Diggable Planets
Rebirth Of Slick, Cool Like Dat
Kanekoa
Queen Ida and Her Bon Temps Zydeco Band
The Ballad Of Madelyne & Therese
Color Green
Lo Moon
Hawaii
Soul
Spike Sikes
Jazz
Poetry

Backstage Bay Area is an exclusive podcast that explores San Francisco’s jazz music scene in depth. It features intimate interviews with emerging and established artists. The program also offers a unique glimpse into the artists' creative processes, inspirations, and upcoming projects.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes318Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
MusicMusic Interviews

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Artwork for Songs & Stories

Latest Episodes

Show Notes:

On this episode of Backstage Bay Area, Steve Roby talks with acclaimed alto saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Lakecia Benjamin about her upcoming album We Dream and the energy behind her new single “Flamekeeper.”

Lakecia discusses th... more

Show Notes

Drummer Lenny White experienced the Miles Davis story firsthand. As a teenager, Miles selected him to record Bitches Brew — not because Davis had heard him play, but based solely on word of mouth. That decision reveals a lot about how Mil... more

In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby interviews Dr. Eddie Henderson — a trumpet master, bandleader, and one of the few remaining links to Miles Davis's world. Born in San Francisco, Henderson's musical career started at 17 when Mile... more

Show Notes:

Host Steve Roby sits down with celebrated saxophonist Javon Jackson to explore two landmark projects: his new album Jackson Plays Dylan — a jazz reimagining of Bob Dylan's songbook — and his upcoming live tribute to Miles Davis's Kind of... more

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Recent Guests

Jack West
Musician and inventor known for his acoustic guitar work and numerous patents
Episode: Jack West on Innovation, Invention, and the “Acoustic Spank"
Lisa Mezzacappa
A bassist and composer who has spent over two decades crafting experimental jazz music
Episode: Lisa Mezzacappa and the Art of "Tight Looseness"
Sarah McKenzie
Australian jazz pianist, composer, and vocalist known for her breezy technical style and lyrical sense of swing.
Independent Artist
Episode: Sarah McKenzie: A Love Letter to San Francisco
Oscar Peñas
Guitarist, composer, and band leader based in New York
Episode: Omar Sosa: "SFJAZZ is the Best Place on the Planet to Play Jazz"
Cleo Reed
Brooklyn-based songwriter, sculptor, and instrument builder
Episode: Cleo Reed on Ancestry, Hustlin', and Reimagining Black Folk Tradition
Greg Rahn
Bay Area keyboardist, composer and band leader
Episode: Greg Rahn: From Silicon Valley to Side Hustle
Greg Osby
Notable saxophonist, composer, and educator with over four decades of experience in modern jazz
Blue Note Records
Episode: Greg Osby on Minimalism, Mentorship, and the Evolution of Modern Jazz
Simon Phillips
A drummer, composer, and producer with a legendary career in music.
Protocol
Episode: Simon Phillips on Protocol, Precision, and the Power of the Hang
Michael League
Founder of Snarky Puppy and Resident Artistic Director at SF Jazz
Snarky Puppy
Episode: Michael League's Musical Universe Unleashed

Host

Steve Roby
Host of Backstage Bay Area, a podcast focusing on the jazz scene, featuring interviews with artists and insights into their creative processes.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 12 ratings
  • Great Interviews. Wide Range of Music.

    No matter where he lands—Hawaii, Denver, San Francisco—Steve Roby brings his deep knowledge of music and in-depth interview skills to the music scene. Always a delight to listen to this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    logelson
    United States2 years ago
  • Good yet lacking

    This podcast is excellent for info on the music scene on Big Island… Unfortunately the host absolutely needs to go and bring in someone with energy and character… Listening to the host reminds me of listening to my phone talk to me…

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    THCbuddy
    United States5 years ago
  • A great 30-minute show that features talented entertainers from the "Big" island of Hawaii.

    Podchaser
    5
    BigIslandMusicMagazine
    6 years ago
  • Queen of the Universe

    Steve is a great interviewer. I love hearing the diverse talent on The Big Island. The interviews aer engrossing and give a rare look into the artists.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    laurenbroido
    United States6 years ago
  • Great show!

    The best place to find out about everything happening in music on the Big Island of Hawaii and beyond. Steve Roby is a great host with a real passion for music, he has a great array of artists on the show from various genres, and his radio voice is easy to listen to. Highly recommend Songs and Stories!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    erikkarma
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some feedback indicates that while the music and guests are engaging, there are calls for a more vibrant hosting style.
Listeners appreciate the depth of interviews that provide insights into the artists' lives and creative processes.
The diversity of musical talent showcased is frequently highlighted as a major strength of the show.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

From Sideman to Spotlight: Roger Glenn's 50-Year Journey to "My Latin Heart"
Q: How does your experience as a pilot and a sailor influence your approach to music?
Roger explains that his love for aviation and sailing inspires his creativity, serving as his own form of motivation instead of relying on drugs or alcohol.
From Sideman to Spotlight: Roger Glenn's 50-Year Journey to "My Latin Heart"
Q: What inspired you to capture these original compositions after so many years?
Roger mentions the influence of COVID-19 and the challenges posed by the economy, which delayed his solo project, making 2025 a culmination of pressures that pushed him to finally release his music.
Omar Sosa: "SFJAZZ is the Best Place on the Planet to Play Jazz"
Q: Can you talk about why you often tour unreleased material first and then record it later?
Oscar explains that the traditional music industry model has flipped, with many independent artists now touring new pieces before recording them.
Omar Sosa: "SFJAZZ is the Best Place on the Planet to Play Jazz"
Q: What was your musical world like growing up in Barcelona?
Oscar describes his early musical influences, picking up the guitar at a young age and being drawn to both classical and jazz music.
Sarah McKenzie: A Love Letter to San Francisco
Q: How does finding a vibrant and deeply connected community in Hayes Valley connect to the American dream you found when you were living here?
McKenzie describes becoming part of a supportive community as a new mom, emphasizing the importance of connection and collective experiences in shaping her perspective on the American dream.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Songs & Stories

What is Songs & Stories about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focused on the vibrant jazz music scene of San Francisco, this podcast features engaging interviews with both emerging and established artists, providing listeners with a rich insight into their creative processes, inspirations, and upcoming projects. Each episode showcases a unique blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights that highlight the dynamic talent present in the city. By covering a diverse range of genres and artistic backgrounds, it likely attracts music enthusiasts looking for deeper understandings of the artists behind the music and the evolution of jazz in contemporary settings.

Where can I find podcast stats for Songs & Stories?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Songs & Stories. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Songs & Stories and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Songs & Stories get?

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What are the audience demographics for Songs & Stories?

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How many subscribers and views does Songs & Stories have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Songs & Stories has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Songs & Stories?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Songs & Stories:

1. Talking Feds

How many episodes of Songs & Stories are there?

Songs & Stories launched 6 years ago and published 318 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Songs & Stories?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Songs & Stories?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Songs & Stories from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Songs & Stories?

Recent guests on Songs & Stories include:

1. Jack West
2. Lisa Mezzacappa
3. Sarah McKenzie
4. Oscar Peñas
5. Cleo Reed
6. Greg Rahn
7. Greg Osby
8. Simon Phillips

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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