Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  NYC-based Jazz Trumpeter   David Scott  on the Winter 2024 Kansas City Visit of Gigs   .. On one of his bi-yearly visits, one of Kansas City’s most accomplished jazz exports will play a trio of gigs around town. On Thursday Dec 26th at 6pm he will be joining the Multiple Worlds Quintet with Michael Eaton at the Westport Coffeehouse....

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Montreal-based Jazz Pianist & Composer  Thélonius Garcia .. We talked to him about his new 2024 CD Marche Nocturne that happens to be his debut as a leader, along with covering his life in jazz so far. He has always been immersed in artistic creation in all its forms. Trained on classical piano during his conservatoire studies in Fra...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montreal-based Duo Guitarist Simon Angell and Drummer Tommy Crane .. We commenced on a fascinating discussion about their new 2024 CD Self-Titled Album, how their paths intersected, their pasts and so much more. They have been making music with a parade of celebrated band-mates across the jazz, indie rock, and experimental music scene...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  St. Louis-based Jazz Saxophonist, Composer & Educator  Bennett Wood .. We delved into his new 2024 CD Space in Time that serves as his debut as a leader, along with getting into his life as a a freelance musician, composer and clinician. The title track on this new album draws inspiration from the books Only the Ball Was White by Rob...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Colombian-born Jazz Flautist  Daniel Pardo .. We get into his new 2024 CD Ese Momento and a tremendous life in jazz from his base in Houston, Texas. On this solo leader debut, he infuses boleros with jazz, classical and latin influences in collaboration with Pianist/Arranger Sergio Pamies. This veteran musician has graced recordings...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Jazz Virtuoso Viola/Violin Player  Jimbo Ross .. We caught up with him about his long awaited first album as a leader in the 2024 album Jazz Passion & Satin Latin. He returns to his jazz roots with a cast of veteran musicians. He has spent years playing and recording with many of the greats in the industry as a session player and sol...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Acclaimed UK-based Jazz Vocalist, Songwriter & Actress  Jacqui Dankworth .. We caught up with her to talk to her about her 2024 album  Windmills , along with a charmed life in the arts. This powerful new album features Memphis-born pianist Charlie Wood’s arrangements for her trio as well as the BBC Big Band, the Carducci String Quart...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Veteran Jazz Keyboardist & Composer on the New 2024 Album Unity  Dan Siegel .. We get into his 23rd release as a leader in the new 2024 project Unity. He always covers a broad swath of the jazz spectrum over the course of his four-and-a-half decade career, from straight ahead swing to sleek contemporary sounds. This new album   reuni...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Guitarist Ryan T. Bailey & Drummer Luis Briones of the LA-based Jazz Band King Llama .. We primarily talked to them about the release of their newest album Fata Implexis. This prog/fusion band specializes in genre-bending, elastic compositions. This project is produced by multi-platinum and GRAMMY-Award winning producer/engineer Denni...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  French Jazz Drummer, Producer & Composer  Antoine Cara .. We caught up with him from New York City to talk about his new 2024 CD Status Quo, coming to America to further his jazz vernacular and so much more. This new project provides a close and vibrant look at him as player, writer and leader. It brings in heavy cats like guitarist...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  London-based, New Zealand Jazz Pianist & Composer  John-Paul Muir .. We talked to him about his new 2024 CD Home Now, a good life in music and bounding between homes in London and New Zealand. He is a gifted and highly recognized player across both classical and jazz disciplines. He won First Prize at the Kerikeri International Piano...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Italy-born, NYC-based  Jazz Bassist & Composer  Giuseppe Cucchiara .. We caught up with him to talk about his new 2024 CD Music for your Soul, roots in Sicily, NYC dreams and much more. He grew up among countless jazz vinyls and varied musical influences from an early age. His father, who happens to be a classical upright bass player,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Jazz Singer/Songwriter, Composer, Playwright and Actor  Marie-Claire Giraud .. We caught up with her about new music that includes a cover of Duke Ellington’s standard Caravan on Plaid Dog Recordings, along with an esteemed life in jazz. Born on the island of Dominica and raised in The Bronx. She started her operatic training in Rome...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Kansas City-based Jazz Saxophonist & Educator  Matt Otto  on the 2024 CD The Landscape Listens  .. Recorded in Portugal, this new album features Matt on tenor alongside  Xose  ZOH- SAY Miguélez on tenor and Abe - AHHHH BAY- Rábade on the piano. It showcases a collaboration between three renowned musicians bringing about a musical lan...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Veteran KC-based Jazz Trumpeter & Flugelhorn Man  Stan Kessler   on the 2024 Album Two's Company  .. We caught up with a now legendary player, educator and collaborator on the vibrant Kansas City scene. The album features three generations of pianists in Joe Cartwright, Brant Jester, Andrew Ouellette, Brian Ward, Roger Wilder & Charl...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran  Journeyman Saxophonist & Composer  Stan Harrison .. We caught up with him fresh of the road to talk about his new 2024 CD Some Poor Soul Has a Fire and a gloriously good and luck filled life in music. Born in Philadelphia, raised in New Jersey, and a resident of New York City for the last few decades, has traveled the globe p...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Brooklyn-based Jazz Guitarist and Composer  Nico Moreno .. We talked to this native of Columbia about his new 2024 CD Cornerstone, a life in jazz, coming to America and so much more. This new project captures his journey of finding meaning in NYC as it explores modern jazz guitar, blending Latin American sounds and pop-rock elements...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Veteran Jazz Tuba Player  Jim Self & Seasoned Guitarist John Chiodini  on the 2024 Album  Feels So Good .. Even through Jim recently retired from his teaching position at the University of Southern California after nearly 50 years, he has not slowed down at all. We caught up with him and Jon to talk about this 23rd album of Jim’s as...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Veteran Jazz Vocalist  Tania Grubbs .. She opened up about her new 2024 CD The Sound of Love, surviving the pandemic, her career and much more. On this new album, she crafts stories out of well-chosen songs with love and care as she lets the listener feel the spirit of her music. Her voice is an integral instrument in a quintet of eq...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Toronto-based Jazz Guitarist  Dan Pitt  on the 2024 album Horizontal Depths  .. We caught up with this busy musician to talk about his new Quintet release  that stands as a solid  follow-up to the band's 2021 album  Wrongs . This project weaves together elements of avant rock and chamber music into a foundations that spans various ex...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Jazz Pianist  Richard Pellegrin  on the 2024 Album Topography  .. His new album done with saxophonist Neil Welch on Slow & Steady Records features a collection of compositions and improvisations directly inspired by the landscapes of the American West – especially Whidbey Island, located just north of Seattle, WA. Reflecting “an urge...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Percussionist, Educator & Foundation Executive Director of the CNY Jazz Central Orchestra  Larry Luttinger .. We caught up with him to talk about the new 2024 CD If a White Horse from Jerusalem featuring NEA Jazz Master Dave Liebman, the history of the orchestra and his life in music. He has been part of the Syracuse Symphony Orchest...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with U kraine-based Jazz Saxophonist & Composer  Carlo Muscat  on the 2024 Album The Body is Only Light  .. We caught up with this talent to discuss his latest project billed as a testament to the country’s unyielding spirit amidst an invasion. Set against a nation grappling with the harsh realities of war, each track reveals a specific em...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Jazz  Violinist & Composer Jeremy Gignoux .. We caught up with him from his base in Canada to talk about his group Calgaréal and their  new 2024 CD Vanishing Points. The band is a  dynamic new Canadian cross-country collective creating wonderful music. It’s the band’s first full album and we cover the history of their union, as well....

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Acclaimed Bebop Saxophonist  Eric Alexander & Jazz Producer at Flushing Town Hall Clyde Bullard .. We caught up with them to talk about the November 22, 2024 show and recent projects, along with a host of surprises along the way. Flushing Town Hall recently launched an interactive Queens Jazz Trail Map highlighting the homes of the j...