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Songs & StoriesAuthor: Backstage Bay Area
Backstage Bay Area is an exclusive podcast that explores San Franciscos jazz music scene in depth. It features intimate interviews with emerging and established artists. The program also offers a unique glimpse into the artists' creative processes, inspirations, and upcoming projects. Language: en Genres: Music, Music Interviews Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Take 6 Still Spreads the Love After Four Decades
Wednesday, 5 August, 2026
Show Notes:Host Steve Roby sits down with Claude McKnight, founding member of the legendary a cappella group Take 6, ahead of their four-night residency at SFJAZZ. With 10 Grammy Awards, 10 Dove Awards, and a spot in the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Take 6 has spent more than four decades redefining what the human voice can do. Highlights:Origins at Oakwood College — Claude shares how what started as a casual barbershop quartet grew into a septet, unlocking the richer jazz harmonies that would become Take 6's signature sound.The moment they knew it was special — The infamous bathroom rehearsal story: when arranger Mark Kibble walked in and added a fifth part, everything changed."Spread Love" turns 40 — Claude reflects on why their most beloved song still resonates: it was the first thing most fans ever heard from them, and it captured everything Take 6 set out to be.Rhapsody: a new jazz standards album — Claude previews the group's forthcoming record, featuring collaborations with Snarky Puppy, Dirty Loops, drummer J.R. Robinson, and trumpeter Chris Botti, plus an inventive take on Dave Brubeck's Take Five. Expect a single soon, with the full album arriving after the new year.Every night is different — On the joy of unscripted performance and what keeps Take 6 fresh after four-plus decades on stage. All music used in this episode was supplied by the artist or their management and used with their permission.See Take 6 Live at SFJAZZ Miner Auditorium, San Francisco, August 13–16Thu–Sat at 7:30 PM | Sun at 7:00 PM🎟 Tickets and info: sfjazz.org
