Guest: Jack West

In this episode, host Steve Roby welcomes guitarist, composer, and inventor Jack West, whose unique sound NPR once described as "a whole new sub-genre of jazz." After more than two decades away from the recording studio, Jack returns with two major projects: the stunning new album Guitars on Life (a duet collaboration with Walter Strauss) and Essential Curvature, a retrospective compilation of his best work from the 1990s and 2000s.

Episode Highlights:

Jack discusses his musical roots in rural Alabama and his decision in 1993 to leave rock bands and focus exclusively on acoustic guitar

The story behind his collaboration with Walter Strauss and how they wrote most of Guitars on Life in just one week

Jack's innovative "acoustic spank" technique, which allows him to simultaneously play guitar, bass, and percussion

His invention of a specialized thumb pick that enables rapid-fire triplet strikes in both directions

The eco-friendly PET plastic vinyl alternative used for the Guitars on Life release

A preview of his upcoming Gliss Guitar - a revolutionary acoustic guitar with motorized pitch control on every string

Music Featured:

"More Guitar" from Guitars on Life

"Double Bounce" from Guitars on Life

All music featured in this episode was supplied by Jack West and used with his permission.

Upcoming Show:

Catch Jack West live at the Freight & Salvage in Berkeley on Thursday, February 26th at 8:00 PM for a special double bill featuring:

The Jack West Slide Guitar Ensemble (featuring Josh Jones on drums, Gary Brown on bass, and Lalo Crane on marimba)

The Walter Strauss & Jack West acoustic guitar duo

Tickets and more information: https://secure.thefreight.org/15495/15496-jack-west-walter-strauss-260226

Learn More:

Visit Jack West's official website: https://www.jackwestguitar.com

Show Notes:

Bassist and composer Lisa Mezzacappa joins host Steve Roby to discuss her latest project, the flexible ensemble Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish, and their new album Otherworldly. For over two decades, Lisa has been a cornerstone of the Bay Area's experimental jazz scene, crafting adventurous music inspired by speculative fiction, cosmic landscapes, and the art of spontaneous collaboration.

In this episode, Lisa reveals how her sextet (yes, it's called Five-ish) came together, blending longtime collaborators such as saxophonist Aaron Bennett and drummer Jordan Glenn with newer voices, including oboist Kyle Bruckman and vibraphonist Mark Clifford. She discusses her unique compositional approach—writing for improvisers as individuals rather than as a uniform ensemble—and how she translates literary and ecological concepts into sonic terrain.

Lisa also shares insights into the album's standout tracks, including the urgent opener "Life is Running Out" and the expansive closer "The Dream, the Reality." She explains the concept of "tight looseness"—the sweet spot where precision meets spontaneity—and what audiences can expect from her upcoming performances at SF Jazz's intimate Joe Henderson Lab.

Plus, Lisa reveals she's just completed an ambitious project: 12 album releases in 12 months on her own Queen Bee Records label.

Featured Music:

"Life is Running Out" by Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish

"The Dream, the Reality" by Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish

All music was supplied by the artist and used with their permission.

Show Info & Links:

Upcoming Performance:

Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish at the Joe Henderson Lab, SF Jazz

Sunday, February 22nd | Two shows: 6:00 PM & 7:30 PM

Doors open 30 minutes before showtime (arrive early for best seating—general admission)

Tickets: sfjazz.org

More Information:

Lisa Mezzacappa's website: lisamezzacappa.com

Queen Bee Records on Bandcamp: queenbeerecords.bandcamp.com

Album: Otherworldly by Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish (available now)

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The "breezy technical style" and "lyrical sense of swing" that have made Sarah McKenzie a global jazz fixture are returning to Northern California this March. Although her upcoming tour dates stay just outside the San Francisco city limits, the "Paris of the West" remains the emotional anchor of her latest creative chapter.

Sarah McKenzie will be performing live this March, and the tour includes March 18th at Kuumbwa Jazz Center in Santa Cruz, March 20th at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, and March 22nd at the Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society in Half Moon Bay.

For more on Sarah’s music, recordings, and tour dates, visit https://www.sarahmckenzie.info

The visionary pianist and SFJAZZ Resident Artistic Director returns for a multi-night residency that fuses Afro-Cuban roots with global sounds, which he calls the ultimate "Temple of Jazz."

Show Highlights: A Week of Musical Evolution

Sosa’s residency at SFJAZZ offers an insight into his diverse musical pursuits across four distinct nights.

• Thursday, Mar 5: Sosa joins the Stanford Jazz Orchestra to perform music from the album Es:Sensual.

• Friday, Mar 6: Following an Open Soundcheck, Sosa performs with the Aguas Trio, featuring Yilian Cañizares, a collaboration that previously earned him a Premios LUCAS for Best Song Video.

• Saturday, Mar 7: The focus shifts to the Omar Sosa Quarteto Americanos.

• Sunday, Mar 8: The residency closes with the Suba Trio, showcasing material from their 2021 album SUBA—a "hymn to hope" for a post-pandemic world.

If You Go

• Who: Resident Artistic Director Omar Sosa
• Dates: Thursday, March 5 – Sunday, March 8, 2026
• Times: 7:30 PM (Thu-Sat); 7:00 PM (Sun); 4:30 PM (Fri Soundcheck)
• Venue: SFJAZZ Center, Miner Auditorium
• Address: 201 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102
• Tickets: https://www.sfjazz.org

Episode Description:

Guitarist, composer, and bandleader Oscar Peñas joins host Steve Roby to discuss his musical journey from classical guitar in Barcelona to the vibrant jazz scene of Brooklyn. Originally from Spain and based in New York since 2007, Peñas brings a unique voice to contemporary jazz—one that blends American jazz language with Spanish heritage and classical roots.

In this intimate conversation, Oscar shares stories about discovering jazz through cassette tapes in the late '80s, the magic of recording with the legendary Ron Carter, and what it means to be truly locked in with his trio on stage. He also discusses the evolving landscape for independent jazz artists, his upcoming suite "Remote Hoods" (a tribute to New York's diverse neighborhoods), and what audiences can expect from his return to SFJAZZ's Joe Henderson Lab.

Songs Featured:

"Ballad of the Fishermen" (from Almadraba, 2022) – featuring Ron Carter

"Traveling Through Waters" (from Almadraba, 2022) – featuring Ron Carter

All music supplied by and used with permission from Oscar Peñas.

Show Details:

Oscar Peñas Trio

Venue: Joe Henderson Lab at SFJAZZ

Date: Saturday, February 21st

Showtimes: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM

Tickets: sfjazz.org

For more about Oscar's music, recordings, and tour dates, visit oscarpeñas.com

Photo: Jimmy Katz

SHOW NOTES:

In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steve Roby sits down with Haitian American jazz vocalist Tyreek McDole to discuss his meteoric rise in the jazz world, his chart-topping debut album, and his philosophy that music is a tool for healing and collective dreaming.

In This Episode:

• Early Recognition: How winning the Outstanding Vocalist Award from Wynton Marsalis at age 18 and the 2023 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition launched Tyreek's career

• "Open Up Your Senses": The story behind his 2025 debut album that hit #1 on JazzWeek and earned four stars from DownBeat Magazine

• Music as Healing: Tyreek shares how "The Sun Song" transformed his own life and why he's committed to singing it for the rest of his career

• Bridging Traditions: How Tyreek connects Louis Armstrong's romantic tradition with avant-garde influences like Pharaoh Sanders and Nicholas Payton

• The Power of Listening: Why opening up our senses—especially in today's turbulent times—is more important than ever

• Multi-Generational Collaboration: Working with jazz legends like Kenny Barron, Rodney Whitaker, and Sullivan Fortner alongside rising stars

• Live at SFJAZZ: What to expect from his intimate performances at the Joe Henderson Lab with his touring quintet

• What's Next: A sneak peek at his sophomore album and upcoming world tour

Featured Tracks:

"The Sun Song"

"Won't You Open Up Your Senses" (title track)

Catch Tyreek McDole Live:

SFJAZZ Center's Joe Henderson Lab

February 12-13, 2025

Two shows nightly: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM

Tickets: sfjazz.org

Brooklyn-based songwriter, sculptor, and instrument builder Cleo Reed joins host Steve Roby to discuss their ambitious double album Cuntry, a project that blurs the lines between American folk traditions and dystopian electronic soundscapes. Named one of Pitchfork's 21 breakout artists to watch, Reed explores themes of ancestry, labor, capitalism, and black history through a deeply personal lens.

In This Episode

Roots and Origins: How Cleo Reed honors their great-grandmother and blues bassist grandfather through their artistic practice

The Making of Cuntry: Why the double album splits between organic folk and electronic dystopia—and what that division reveals about modern American life

"I've Been Out Here Hustling": A field song for the digital age that connects historical labor exploitation to contemporary capitalism and phone culture

"No Borders": The story behind this collaborative track, recorded with international artists following a residency and created in response to global conflict

Performance as Ritual: How Reed translates large-scale installations and custom instruments into intimate live settings

SF Jazz Debut: What to expect from Reed's upcoming performance at the Joe Henderson Lab

Featured Tracks:

"I've Been Out Here Hustling"

"No Borders"

All music and photos featured on this episode were supplied by the musician and used with permission.

Upcoming Show:

Cleo Reed performs at SF Jazz Center's Joe Henderson Lab

Wednesday, February 25th | 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM

Tickets: sfjazz.org

In this episode, 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 as a vital ambassador for the Crescent City's culture.

Delfeayo shares stories from his childhood in Kendall, Louisiana, where he shared a room with his father, Ellis, while his brothers, Branford and Wynton, shared another. He explains how his parents shaped his approach to the bandstand and his belief that music is not only what is on the page but also what you hear and experience. We also dive into the origins of the Uptown Jazz Orchestra (UJO)—a 14-piece ensemble founded in 2008 to preserve and advance the city’s street rhythms, swing tradition, and brass-band energy.

In this episode, we discuss:

The 10-Course Meal: Why Marsalis views his live performances as a diverse culinary journey, moving from high-energy funk to soulful ballads.

The Spirit of Mingus: The coincidental and "hip" origins of "Raid on the Mingus House Party," including its accidental connection to a famous superhero theme.

Sidewalk Sizzle: How a fan at a local gig provided the perfect title for a funky anthem that captures the heat of a New Orleans street.

Authentic Swing: Why the tradition of swinging is an essential, yet often overlooked, component of the modern big band sound.

Show Details & Tickets

Don't miss Delfeayo Marsalis & the Uptown Jazz Orchestra performing "Uptown On Mardi Gras Day" at the SFJAZZ Center!

Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Venue: Miner Auditorium, SFJAZZ Center

Tickets: Available at SFJAZZ.org

Official Website: www.dmarsalis.com

Uptown Jazz Orchestra: www.uptownjazzorchestra.com