With several past episodes recorded from Seattle, we return to a previously unreleased conversation (2018) with saxophonist, improviser, and band leader, Levi Gillis. Originally from Northern California, you could now find Gillis based in Los Angeles after having continued on his developmental journey from the University of Washington Jazz and Impr…

A document of our time, as well as an exploration into a celebrated career, Venezuelan pianist and composer, Edward Simon joins us. Now based in the San Francisco Bay Area, but long associated through his work with the all-star SF JAZZ Collective, Simon is celebrating over 30 years in music with his Ridgeway Records release, 25 Years. His work has …

Another archived discussion, this time with a jet lagged (at the time of meeting in March of 2018) Romain Pilon. The french guitarist began his journey in Southeastern France at the base of the Rhone Alps; now Paris based. A Parisian in New York for a short while, he preceded his big apple residency with matriculation through Berklee College of Mus…

While much has changed in society since this archived discussion from 2018 with [Lauren] Elizabeth Baba, we still manage to cull through some of the more universal aspects of creative and musical development, philosophical themes, and the deeply inspiring sources of Baba’s imaginative compositions and arrangements. As you may have learned from Part…

At first listen, theBABAorchestra works immediately to enlighten the percipient that LA Jazz is not all studio polish, R&B, and smooth. In fact there are many examples that disavow that notion, but [Lauren] Elizabeth Baba’s 17-Piece experimental big band is particularly visceral and thematic in its through-composed and improvised moments. The condu…

March 2020 What unusual times we all find ourselves in. With what started as a world away (COVID-19), now at everyone’s doorstep, the music community faces uncertainties similar to many other service-oriented vocations. While live in-person performance to audiences of size are curtailed, we can still learn about the different ways our creative sist…

By OTS SFO

Singer and creativity enthusiast, Moorea Dickason, is one half of the San Francisco/East Bay original art-rock super group, MoeTar, along with amazing musician and artist husband, Tarik Ragab. Striving to always serve the music, she shows up passionately and professionally in all that she participates in; to the extent of fearlessly baring her soul…

As a complement to our two part conversation with New York Based, Bassist, Composer, Recording Artist, and Educator, Ben Allison, with his permission, we are providing a special peek into a portion of a discussion held at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, California. This preceded a performance of material from his new recording with th…

We continue with Part two of our discussion with New York Based, Bassist, Composer, Recording Artist, and Educator, Ben Allison. In Part one we discussed the process leading up to the recording of the new album, stylistic choices made, curators of taste, the Salsa scene of Newhaven Connecticut, Production techniques, the visceral experience of musi…

New York Based, Bassist, Composer, Recording Artist, and Educator, Ben Allison has a career that spans several decades. Ben has established himself at the forefront of modern jazz and creative music. A disciple of the jazz canon, rock, folk, 20th Century Classical music, and improvisational music from around the world, he firmly believes in the not…

Matthew Szlachetka, guitarist, singer-songwriter, and producer. Originally from the state of Massachusets, Matthew is now Nashville based after being a long-time resident of Los Angeles. His roots rock and Americana style is familiar with audiences all around the U.S. through his various songwriting partnerships, and ultimately as a diligent tourin…

We continue Part Two of our conversation with Bulgarian born guitarist and composer, Hristo Vitchev. While in Part One we highlighted his acclaimed 2 Disc release, “In Search of Wonders”, not to mention a foray into Hristo’s love of metal guitar and music in his youth, in Part Two, we continue the discussion into how he channeled his business acume…

What happens when you transport a Bulgarian born, metal loving guitar player to San Jose, CA by way of Venezuela and "small-town" Utah? You get impressionistic jazz composer, bandleader, and guitarist, Hristo Vitchev. Making the San Francisco Bay Area his home, Hristo can be found producing a prodigious amount of recordings with longtime collaborat…

Vocalist and Composer Tammy Scheffer visited On The Scene SF/O in Berkeley, CA. One of the foremost creative voices on New York City’s vibrant jazz scene, Scheffer is an increasingly difficult musician to classify. She has found equal cohorts in modern jazz, progressive rock, acoustic music, and solo, duo, or trio vocals and looping projects. Born …

We continue on with Part 2 of our discussion with original Santana drummer, Michael Shrieve. As we discussed in Part 1, Shrieve is documented on the studio album, Santana IV, released in March of 2016, featuring members of the original Santana band from that Woodstock era group- Guitarist, Carlos Santana, Guitarist, Neal Schon, Vocalist and Keyboar…

Legendary Drummer, Michael Shrieve spends time with On The Scene SF/O for a 2-Part conversation. Shrieve is often hailed as one of the highlights for his fiery drum solo during Santana’s “Soul Sacrifice”, as captured in the 1969 Festival’s film, Woodstock. He seeks out interesting people, and artists to embolden his creative output. Considered a mu…

Trumpeter, Composer and Educator, Cuong Vu joins the conversation for Episode #007. Originally born in Vietnam and having grown up largely in Seattle, WA, Cuong went on to attend the New England Conservatory of Music, and experienced more than a decade on the New York City jazz and avant garde scene. Now a Professor of Jazz Studies back in his home…

Warren Wolf took a break from a week long series of classes, workshops, and performances with the SF Jazz Collective in Sonoma to speak with OTS SFO. Best known for his work on Vibraphone, he has also performed or recorded with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Ron Carter, Kenny Barron, Bobby Watson, Nicholas Payton, Tia Fuller, Terri Ly…

For Episode #005, we lean towards the Pop and Rock side of the fence. Our guest is Singer/Songwriter and Performer, Megan Slankard. She has been a steady presence as a touring solo artist nationwide, and in top San Francisco venues with her highly polished band, amusing stage banter, and melodic hooks. Her songs have its roots in Americana, Album O…

Vadim Neselovskyi joins us this time. The Ukrainian pianist reveals his process as composer, solo performer, and bandleader, to arrive at dazzling displays of virtuosity and memorable melodicism. His skills as an improvisor and composer continues the thread of his own mentors, and collaborators, in the field: Vibraphonist, Gary Burton, and Pianist,…

We speak with Composer, Arranger and Bassist, Marcus Shelby. His Marcus Shelby Orchestra is a long time San Francisco Bay Area Institution with numerous appearances, commissions and recordings. In a special two part series of episodes, we start with a 2016 discussion surrounding his work with 'Beyond the Blues: A Prison Oratorio' that highlights mu…

A tireless performer, educator, and beloved figure throughout the jazz community, Saxophonist, Dayna Stephens, has established himself as a distinct voice amongst his generation. His stage and studio experiences span across contemporaries and legends, including Taylor Eigsti, Julian Lage, Gerald Clayton, Linda Oh, Aaron Parks, Gretchen Parlato, Bec…