Lisa Mezzacappa and the Art of "Tight Looseness"

What this episode covers

Show Notes:Bassist and composer Lisa Mezzacappa joins host Steve Roby to discuss her latest project, the flexible ensemble Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish, and their new album Otherworldly. For over two decades, Lisa has been a cornerstone of the Bay Area's experimental jazz scene, crafting adventurous music inspired by speculative fiction, cosmic landscapes, and the art of spontaneous collaboration. In this episode, Lisa reveals how her sextet (yes, it's called Five-ish) came together, blending longtime collaborators such as saxophonist Aaron Bennett and drummer Jordan Glenn with newer voices, including oboist Kyle Bruckman and vibraphonist Mark Clifford. She discusses her unique compositional approach—writing for improvisers as individuals rather than as a uniform ensemble—and how she translates literary and ecological concepts into sonic terrain.Lisa also shares insights into the album's standout tracks, including the urgent opener "Life is Running Out" and the expansive closer "The Dream, the Reality." She explains the concept of "tight looseness"—the sweet spot where precision meets spontaneity—and what audiences can expect from her upcoming performances at SF Jazz's intimate Joe Henderson Lab.Plus, Lisa reveals she's just completed an ambitious project: 12 album releases in 12 months on her own Queen Bee Records label.Featured Music:"Life is Running Out" by Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish"The Dream, the Reality" by Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ishAll music was supplied by the artist and used with their permission. Show Info & Links:Upcoming Performance:Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish at the Joe Henderson Lab, SF JazzSunday, February 22nd | Two shows: 6:00 PM & 7:30 PMDoors open 30 minutes before showtime (arrive early for best seating—general admission)Tickets: sfjazz.org More Information:Lisa Mezzacappa's website: lisamezzacappa.comQueen Bee Records on Bandcamp: queenbeerecords.bandcamp.comAlbum: Otherworldly by Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish (available now) Backstage Bay Area is your window into the vibrant arts and music scene of the San Francisco Bay Area. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

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How long is this episode of Songs & Stories?

This episode is 34 minutes long.

When was this Songs & Stories episode published?

This episode was published on February 18, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Show Notes:Bassist and composer Lisa Mezzacappa joins host Steve Roby to discuss her latest project, the flexible ensemble Lisa Mezzacappa Five-ish, and their new album Otherworldly. For over two decades, Lisa has been a cornerstone of the Bay...

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