This year’s revamped San Francisco Jazz Festival, curated by SFJAZZ Executive Artistic Director Terence Blanchard, takes place on June 13-15, 2025. It features 35 concerts over 3 days in various venues in San Francisco's Hayes Valley art district. Performances include Stanley Clarke, Charles Lloyd, Patrice Rushen, Cimafunk, The Soul Rebels, Lakecia Benjamin, Ambrose Akinmusire, Dave Holland, Lisa Fischer, Theo Croker, Brandon Woody's Upendo, Tyreek McDole, Idris Ackamoor, and many more. This three-day bash will also include DJs, food trucks, a beer garden, local wine vendors, art, and a vinyl record swap. 3-Day and Daily Ticket Passes are now available.

Show Notes: In this captivating episode of Backstage Bay Area, host Steven Roby sits down with five-time Grammy nominee Lakecia Benjamin, a saxophonist, composer, and trailblazer redefining modern jazz. Lakecia shares insights into her latest album, Phoenix Reimagined (Live), a vibrant celebration of resilience featuring collaborations with legends like John Scofield and Randy Brecker. Recorded live at Brooklyn's The Bunker, this Grammy-nominated album brings her electric stage energy to life, offering listeners a genuinely immersive jazz experience.

Dive into Lakecia’s journey, from her Washington Heights roots and early work with icons like Stevie Wonder and Prince to her heartfelt tributes to John and Alice Coltrane. She discusses the evolving artistry that has shaped her career, the power of live music as a communal experience, and her upcoming performance at Yoshi’s Oakland on February 8. Don't miss this rich exploration of music, creativity, and the human connection.

Guest Information:

• Name: Lakecia Benjamin
• Bio: Lakecia Benjamin is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist and composer blending jazz with funk, R&B, and hip-hop. A five-time Grammy nominee, she is celebrated for her electrifying live performances and groundbreaking albums.
• Website: lakeciabenjamin.com
• Social Media:
• • X: @LakeciaB
  • Facebook: Lakecia Benjamin
  • Instagram: @lakeciab

Call-To-Action:
Love what you hear? Make sure to:

• Subscribe to Backstage Bay Area on YouTube and Apple Podcasts.
• Get your tickets to see Lakecia Benjamin live at Yoshi’s Oakland on Saturday, February 8. Doors open at 7:00 PM, and the show starts at 7:30 PM. Buy tickets here.

Podcast Playlist:

• “Mercy”
• “Trane”
• “Phoenix Reimagined”

Essential Takeaways:

1. Phoenix Reimagined (Live) captures Lakecia’s electrifying stage presence and communal energy, emphasizing the importance of live jazz performances.
2. Her musical journey is a testament to creativity, resilience, and collaboration with legends like John Scofield and Randy Brecker.
3. As Lakecia described, live music is a conversation between the artist and the audience, embodying shared human experiences.

Hashtags:
#BackstageBayArea #LakeciaBenjamin #JazzMusic #PhoenixReimagined #LiveMusic #GrammyNominee #YoshisOakland

Show Notes:

In this episode of Backstage Bay Area, Steven Roby sits down with the extraordinary flutist, composer, and educator Jamie Baum. Known for her trailblazing work blending jazz with classical, South Asian, and spoken-word influences, Jamie discusses her latest album, What Times Are These. She reflects on her inspirations, her creative process of setting modern poetry to music, and her enduring passion for musical exploration.

The conversation also highlights Jamie’s upcoming West Coast performances, including her shows in Santa Cruz, San Francisco, and Half Moon Bay. Listeners will gain insights into Jamie’s unique Septet+ and her quartet and the challenges and triumphs of composing during the pandemic.

Guest Information:

Jamie Baum
Flutist, composer, Sunnyside Records artist, and educator. Explore her work and stay updated:

• Website: jamiebaum.com
• Social Media:
• • X: @JamieBaumFlute
  • Facebook: Jamie Baum

Upcoming Performances:

1. Santa Cruz
2. • Date: January 23, 2025
   • Venue: Kuumbwa Jazz Center
   • Time: 7:00 PM
   • Tickets
3. San Francisco
4. • Date: January 24, 2025
   • Venue: SFJAZZ
   • Two Sets: 7:00 PM & 8:30 PM
   • Tickets
5. Half Moon Bay
6. • Date: January 26, 2025
   • Venue: Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society
   • Tickets

Essential Episode Takeaways:

• Jamie Baum’s genre-defying approach to jazz integrates modern poetry, South Asian influences, and classical techniques.
• The Septet+ allows her to explore rich orchestral colors, while her quartet offers a more intimate, improvisational experience.
• Her latest album, What Times Are These, was deeply influenced by the pandemic and features a unique collaboration with poets and vocalists.
• Jamie will bring a talented ensemble, including Leo Genovese, Matt Penman, and Rob Garcia, to her West Coast performances.

Call-to-Action:

Subscribe to Backstage Bay Area for more intimate conversations with trailblazing artists. Follow us on YouTube at youtube.com/@BackstageBayArea and listen on Apple Podcasts.

Podcast Playlist:

• “Song Without Words”
• “Dreams”
• “Sorrow Song”

Hashtags:

#JamieBaum #WhatTimesAreThese #Jazz #ModernJazz #BackstageBayArea #SFJazz #FluteMusic #SantaCruzJazz #HalfMoonBayMusic

Photo: Erika Kapln