" data-original-title="" title="">Jamie Baum steps onto the stage, flute in hand, she transforms into a storyteller, weaving melodies and rhythms that feel like a conversation with the world. Her latest album, What Times Are These, is more than music; it's an exploration of poetry, culture, and the human condition. As a guest on the Backstage Bay Area podcast, Baum shared her creative process, career highlights, and the upcoming performances that have jazz fans buzzing.

Baum is no stranger to the Bay Area, where her music has resonated with audiences for years. This January, she'll bring her world-class Septet+ and quartet to venues like Kuumbwa Jazz Center, SFJAZZ, and Half Moon Bay's Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society. But in this candid interview, it's the stories behind the music that steal the show.

"COVID changed everything," Baum shared, recalling the pandemic's sudden halt to live performances. Sequestered in her New York City apartment, she turned to Bill Moyers' A Poet a Day series for inspiration. "I was never a huge poetry person," she admitted. "But something about seeing the poets read their work spoke to me in a new way." The result? A groundbreaking album pairing the words of poets like Adrienne Rich and Lucille Clifton with Baum's signature harmonic depth and orchestral textures. What Times Are These tackles themes of isolation, resilience, and renewal. "I wanted to try something different—something that felt like a reflection of everything going on," Baum said.

The album's standout track, "Sorrow Song," transforms Clifton's poem into a stirring collaboration featuring rapper Kokayi. "It was so fun working with Kokayi," Baum said. "His rhythm and approach brought the piece to life in ways I hadn't imagined."

Baum's ability to reinvent her sound has been a hallmark of her career, and she attributes much of it to her time spent traveling. From her earliest tours in South Asia as a U.S. Jazz Ambassador to her recent visits to Nepal and India, Baum has always sought to blend global influences into her music. "South Asian music is like a candy store for jazz musicians," she explained, her voice lighting up with excitement. "The way they develop rhythm and melody is so highly evolved—it's inspiring."

Her upcoming Bay Area performances promise to showcase her musical versatility. Fans can expect a mix of intimate quartet arrangements and the larger-than-life energy of the Septet+. "It's all about balance," Baum said. "With the quartet, I focus on improvisation and connecting with the musicians. The Septet+ is where I can experiment with more intricate compositions and layers of sound."

These live shows will also introduce audiences to an ensemble of top-tier musicians, including