Bay Area keyboardist, composer, and bandleader Greg Rahn joins host Steve Roby to discuss his fascinating musical journey and his new album Side Hustle—a deeply personal project that brings together jazz, blues, fusion, New Orleans piano traditions, Cuban rhythms, and rock.

Episode Highlights:

• The Chick Corea Moment: At age 17, Greg received life-changing advice from jazz legend Chick Corea, who encouraged him not to limit himself to one musical lane but to study with teachers who could teach him what he wanted to learn.
• 25 Years in Video Games: Greg spent over two decades composing and producing audio for the video game industry in Silicon Valley, honing his craft across diverse musical styles while raising a family.
• The Long Road to Side Hustle: Started in 2017, shelved in 2018, and finally completed in 2025, the album took an unexpected detour when Greg recorded his solo piano album Rent Party (2021) to gain a fresh perspective.
• Honoring Lost Friends: The passing of guitarist Drew Zingg and bassist Steve Evans gave Greg renewed urgency to complete the project, making their performances on the album even more precious.
• Musical Diversity: From Snarky Puppy-inspired compositions to Steely Dan harmonies, the album showcases Greg's eclectic influences and collaborative spirit.

Songs Featured (provided by the artist and used with permission):

• "Brand New Bad Idea" (featuring Drew Zingg on guitar and Steve Evans on bass)
• "Jam Night" (featuring Drew Zingg and Steve Evans)

Upcoming Show: Greg Rahn celebrates the release of Side Hustle with an all-star lineup at the Empress Theater in Vallejo on Friday, February 6th at 8:00 PM. The show features Frank Acosta (guitar), Darrell Landers (bass), Randy Hayes (drums), Chris Kane (blues guitar), Juan Escavido (percussion), and Luke Curley (tuba/trombone).

Get Tickets: https://empresstheatre.org/event/greg-rahn/

Learn More:

• Greg Rahn's website: https://gregrahn.net
• Backstage Bay Area: https://www.backstagebayarea.com

Photo credit: Phil Hawkins

Keeping Jazz Alive in the 415

Episode Highlights:

• From St. Louis to the World Stage: Greg Osby shares how growing up surrounded by live music in St. Louis bars and his mother's record distribution job shaped his non-biased appreciation for all genres of music
• The "Mad Clown Music" Revelation: A candid conversation with his sister led Osby to completely rethink his compositional approach, resulting in his 2023 album Minimalism
• Bridging the Gap: Osby discusses his intentional shift toward accessibility—removing excess information to reach beyond the "jazz intelligentsia" and connect with everyday listeners
• Andrew Hill's Legacy: The saxophonist pays tribute to his mentor Andrew Hill, who called him "the son he never had," and explains how Hill's stutter influenced the composition "Thank You for Your Time."
• The Post-Hip-Hop Generation: Osby's optimistic view of young musicians today, who are developing faster than ever, thanks to digital access, while still needing real-world apprenticeship
• Upcoming SF Jazz Performance: Details on his intimate shows at the Joe Henderson Lab with pianist Tal Cohen and Bay Area musicians Jemele Ramirez (drums) and David Ewell (bass)

Songs Played

1. "Minimalism" – Greg Osby (from Minimalism, 2023)

2. "Thank You for Your Time" – Greg Osby (from Minimalism, 2023)

Music supplied by and used with permission from Greg Osby.

Show Information:

Greg Osby at SF Jazz
Joe Henderson Lab
Sunday, February 1, 2026
Showtimes: 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM
Tickets: sfjazz.org

Links:

• Greg Osby Official Website: gregosby.com
• Backstage Bay Area: backstagebayarea.com

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