Show Notes

Pianist Aaron Diehl joins Backstage Bay Area to discuss the early musical influences that shaped his voice, his deep connection to Mary Lou Williams, and his work bringing her Zodiac Suite back into focus. He also reflects on trio interplay, the role of patience in improvisation, and what makes a room like SFJAZZ Center such a compelling space to perform.

This episode features two tracks: “Scorpio” from Diehl’s recording of Zodiac Suite, and “Polaris” from The Vagabond. Both songs were provided by the artist and are used with permission.

In this episode:

Early influences and musical beginnings in Columbus, Ohio
Discovering the music of Mary Lou Williams
Reconstructing and recording Zodiac Suite with The Knights
The art of listening and empathy in a trio setting
Writing and performing original compositions
What audiences can expect at SFJAZZ

Featured Music:

“Scorpio” — from Zodiac Suite
“Polaris” — from The Vagabond

Live at SFJAZZ
Aaron Diehl performs with bassist David Wong and drummer Aaron Kimmel on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 7:00 PMat the SFJAZZ Center’s Miner Auditorium in San Francisco.

🎟 Tickets and full details: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/