Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Pittsburgh, PA-based Guitarist Ken Karsh. Ken began playing guitar at age 9 and has spent a lifetime immersed in music, performance, and music education. After attending Berklee College of Music, he earned both a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degree in performance and went on to build an incredibly diverse career across jazz,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Cincinnati-based Acclaimed Jazz Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, Bandleader & Educator Greg Chako. We dive into his new 2026 album, Hard Bop – For the Record , and a remarkable five-decade journey through the world of music that sounds almost like it was written for a movie. Inspired by the hard bop tradition, Hard Bop – For the Rec...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with UK-based Jazz Flutist, Multi-Instrumentalist & Composer Eddie Parker. We dive into his new 2026 album, Airborn , created with acclaimed guitarist Rob Luft, while exploring Eddie's remarkable life and career across the world of music. Eddie Parker has built a career around curiosity, collaboration, experimentation, and an openness...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Ukraine-born, NYC-based Jazz Guitarist George Grydkovets. We take a deep dive into his powerful new 2026 album, Spirit In You , and the remarkable journey that has brought him into the heart of the New York jazz scene. Featuring an all-star band of NYC musicians including John Raymond on trumpet, Ari Hoenig on drums, Ben Tiberio on ba...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Toronto-based Jazz Guitarist Jeremy Green . We dive into his new 2026 album, In Motion , a career that started, stopped, and started again, and the many twists and turns that shaped his life in music. Known for his distinctive blend of jazz, funk, and fusion , Jeremy Green has performed and recorded with acclaimed artists in...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Indianapolis-based Jazz Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, Producer, Educator & Creative Director Rob Dixon . We get into his new 2026 album, Naptown Soul , and a life spent in the world of jazz. Naptown's influence on soul jazz spans generations of musicians and recordings, creating a continuous musical lineage from the legendary I...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz vocalist Denise Donatelli , talking about her powerful new 2026 album Take My Breath Away . On this deeply personal return to Neon Jazz, Denise reunites with Grammy-winning pianist, arranger, and producer Geoffrey Keezer for a project shaped not only by music, but by an extraordinary journey through life, health, resili...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Chicago-based jazz bassist and composer Christopher Dammann . On this episode, we dig into his compelling new 2026 project, Dead Words , and the evolving musical life of an artist deeply connected to the world of jazz and improvised music. Dead Words is a collection of spiritual contrafacts that traces a fascinating path from bebop th...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Nashville-based jazz trombonist Bob McChesney . On this episode, we dig into Bob's brilliant new 2026 album, Wingwalkers , and explore a remarkable jazz career that began in Baltimore , spent decades in Los Angeles , and eventually brought him to Nashville . Bob McChesney began playing trombone in the fourth grade through hi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with author Michael Pronko , talking about his 2026 book A Guide to Jazz in Japan . Michael was back in his old stomping grounds of Kansas City to sit down with Neon Jazz for a wide-ranging conversation about his early memories of KC, his journey to Japan, and how he became deeply woven into the country's extraordinary jazz culture. In A G...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Canadian Jazz Guitarist Mike Murray on his powerful new 2026 album, Convergence . We originally caught up with Mike in 2022, and a great many things have changed for his group since that last project. Now, he has finally created the album he always dreamed of—with a stellar cast of musicians and a deeply personal story behind the musi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Composer, Multi-Instrumentalist & Founder/Owner of Wide Hive Records Gregory Howe . We cover the whole range of this fascinating music man who has made a major impact on the world of jazz from both sides of the equation—as a musician and an entrepreneur . Gregory Howe founded Wide Hive Records in 1996 and has made it his mission t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with GRAMMY and Emmy Award-Winning Trumpeter, Composer & Synthesist Mark Isham . We caught up with this accomplished Los Angeles powerhouse to talk about his new 2026 album, At the Carousel Club , and a life dedicated to making music across jazz, electronic music, orchestral composition and cinema. An Academy Award-nominated composer ,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with New Jersey-based Upright & Electric Jazz Bassist John Pachnos . We dig into John's new self-titled 2026 debut album , his career in music, his development as a bassist, and the many different musical worlds he has explored along the way. The album features seven original compositions and showcases a young bassist and composer with...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Italy-based Jazz Guitarist Simone Basile and Drummer Antonio Cerfeda . We dig into their new 2026 album Perspectives , a remarkable trio project featuring acclaimed bassist John Patitucci . Released by Encore Music, the album brings together three musicians in a deeply conversational setting, exploring composition, improvisation, soun...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Bay Area jazz vocalist Stella Heath . In this conversation, we explore Stella’s debut album, For Billie , and the remarkable story behind her journey into the world of jazz. Nearly seven decades after Billie Holiday died in 1959, the singular voice and uncompromising artistry of Lady Day continue to resonate—and Stella Heath is bringi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Musician, Author & Berklee College of Music Associate Professor Dr. Ray Seol . In this fascinating conversation, we explore The Prison of Language —a deeply personal and unconventional project that exists as both a book and an album . From his career as a musician and educator to his work as one of the most frequently quoted...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the Prince of Soul Jazz, international saxophonist and producer Nick Stefanacci , discussing his powerful new 2026 album Right Here, Right Now . We catch up with Nick from his base in New Jersey to talk about this new project, live performances, independent music production, and what it means to make music in America in 2026. This mar...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with guitarist Giulio Cuppari and drummer Giosuè Consiglio of the Italy-based Psoas Trio. We take a deep dive into the trio's new 2026 album Satori , their beginnings, evolution, individual musical journeys, and the creative chemistry that has shaped their sound. Based in Milan, Psoas Trio also features tenor saxophonist Alessio Dal Checco...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz vocalist Jennifer Madsen , talking about her powerful 2026 album Girl Talk . This female producer-led big band jazz project reimagines the American Songbook through inventive arrangements, seasoned interpretation, big band storytelling and collaborative musical leadership. Jennifer sits at the center of a richly orchest...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Acclaimed Blues Songwriter & Guitar Veteran Fernando Noronha . Originally from Brazil and now living in America, Fernando celebrates an extraordinary 30 years in the blues with his powerful 2026 album Ain't No Hiding From the Blues . Fernando's story is one of international discovery, dedication, and a lifelong love for a uniquely...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Organist Ken Lovern as we explore the remarkable 2026 Blind Boone Project . This ambitious project brings together music, history, a comic book, and a live on-stage production to tell the extraordinary story of John William “Blind” Boone , one of the first African American concert performers to achieve internati...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with International Pianist, Composer & Arranger Roy Mor on Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project's new album, New Day . We get into a deeply evocative musical journey where jazz becomes both vessel and invocation , bringing together Ethiopian Jewish liturgical traditions, pan-African rhythms, and modern improvisational language. Ne...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Munich, Germany-based Vocalist & Composer Kilian Sladek . We get into his upcoming 2026 album Colorblind , set for release on October 9, 2026 , along with his career and evolution as a creative force in contemporary jazz. With Colorblind , Kilian marks a clear shift toward a more song-driven approach . While his music remains root...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Vocalist, Seasoned Actress & 25-year Stanford Lecturer in Business and Theatre Kay Kostopoulos . As the creative force behind Black Olive Jazz , Kay brings together a remarkable mix of music, theatre, storytelling, and emotional expression. We get into her new 2026 album All This Is Possible and a decorated career dedicated t...