Welcome to Backstage Bay Area — an independent jazz journalism platform dedicated to spotlighting the artists, venues, and live-music culture of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Backstage Bay Area was created to document, preserve, and amplify the region’s vibrant jazz ecosystem through in-depth interviews, concert reviews, and long-form features. The site exists to support musicians, inform audiences, and strengthen the connection between artists and the communities they serve.

At its core, Backstage Bay Area is an editorial project rooted in live performance, musical context, and cultural continuity — with a focus on keeping jazz visible, vital, and accessible in the Bay Area.

About the Editor

Steve Roby is a veteran music journalist, broadcaster, and member of the Jazz Journalists Association with over two decades of experience. A regular contributor to All About Jazz, he has interviewed hundreds of artists across the jazz and blues spectrum. As the founder of Backstage Bay Area, Roby provides independent, photo-supported journalism dedicated to documenting the live music culture and creative processes of the San Francisco Bay Area.

Backstage Bay Area

Backstage Bay Area launched in response to a simple need: sustained, thoughtful coverage of the Bay Area’s jazz community. The site features:

• Concert reviews and performance criticism
• Long-form interviews with local, national, and international artists
• Podcast conversations exploring creative process and musical lineage
• Event previews spotlighting upcoming shows and series
• Photo-supported reporting focused on live music culture

Our Mission

Backstage Bay Area exists to:

• Support live jazz and creative music in the Bay Area
• Provide informed, consistent editorial coverage
• Amplify the voices and stories of working musicians
• Encourage audiences to attend performances and engage with the scene
• Contribute to the cultural record of the region’s music life

The most meaningful way to support jazz is simple: show up, buy a ticket, and experience the music live.

For professional updates and industry connections, follow us on LinkedIn or connect with Steve here.

For media inquiries, interview opportunities, or coverage suggestions, please visit the Contact page.