About Backstage Bay Area

Backstage Bay Area covers the San Francisco jazz and performing arts scene through intimate artist interviews and on-the-ground concert reviews. From the Miner Auditorium at SFJAZZ to intimate neighborhood rooms, we tell the stories behind the music with historical context, setlists, and exclusive voices from the stage.

With over 300 episodes across four years, the Backstage Bay Area podcast has hosted Grammy winners and rising artists alike—among them Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo O’Farrill, Anat Cohen, and Ben Folds. The show is consistently recognized as a top resource for contemporary music and jazz enthusiasts.

Where to Find Us

Beyond this site, our jazz features appear on All About Jazz, and our San Francisco rock coverage runs on SF Sonic. You can listen to the podcast on all major platforms, including Spotify and YouTube.

Join the Community

• Locally: As a verified Nextdoor News Publisher, we share show previews and reviews directly with the San Francisco neighborhoods that make our arts scene so vibrant. Follow us on Nextdoor.

• Globally: For real-time updates, archival deep-dives, and conversation with the wider jazz community, join us on Bluesky. It is our primary home for micro-journalism and breaking arts news. Follow us on Bluesky

  Explore the Archives

Meet the Host

Steve Roby is a veteran music journalist, radio host, and best-selling author. His concert photography and writing have appeared in outlets including Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World. His feature story on The Cookers can be found in SFJAZZ’s On The Corner magazine.

Pitch a Story: Have an upcoming San Francisco jazz show? Visit the Contact page to pitch an interview or concert coverage opportunity.