Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  legendary jazz multi-instrumentalist Eddie Daniels  on his  2025 Resonance Records release  To Milton with Love . This  master clarinetist & saxophonist  pays homage to Brazilian great  Milton Nascimento  with a bold re-creation of his 1969 CTI Records classic  Courage .  To Milton with Love  marks Eddie’s  third tribute album  to...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Toronto-based Drummer Joe Bowden  on his powerful new  2025 album  Music is Life . Joe began composing, producing, and recording in 2010, releasing his first critically acclaimed album  Voices In My Head  in 2012. Over a decade later, his artistic voice has fully blossomed with his  sixth album,  Music is Life . The project feature...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Acclaimed New Jersey-based Jazz Singer Carrie Jackson . We talk in depth about her brand-new  2025 CD  Jersey Bounce  and her remarkable life in the jazz world. For over 30 years, Carrie has built her reputation performing with greats like  Houston Person, Stanley Jordan, Barry Harris , and many more. Known for her  multifaceted si...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Chicago-based Jazz Trumpeter, Author & Artist Joe Clark . We explore his bold new  2025 project  Deep Cuts  — a collaboration with  Radiant Black  writers Kyle Higgins and Joe Clark, joined by an all-star lineup of bestselling artists. The  Deep Cuts  miniseries will feature  six double-length issues from Image Comics , paired with...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  NYC-based Composer Rich Shemaria . We catch up with this prolific creative to discuss his  new blog series  and several  upcoming albums  on the horizon. Long encouraged to start a blog, Rich is now sharing layered, personal, and revealing insights into his creative journey and inner workings. This summer, he recorded fresh arrange...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz vocalist  Jonathan Karrant . We talk about his brand new 2025 CD  Live in Concert  and his career in music. For this project, Jonathan teams up with longtime collaborator and pianist  Joe Alterman  to capture the energy and spontaneity of their live performances. Together, they deliver an intimate, high-spirited set tha...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Regina Bain , Executive Director of the  Louis Armstrong House Museum  in Queens, New York. An artist, educator, and leader, Regina has built a remarkable career dedicated to preserving and expanding the legacy of America’s first Black popular music icon,  Louis Armstrong . As Executive Director of the largest jazz musician archive i...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Guitarist, Composer, Arranger & Educator  Shawn Purcell . We caught up with him about his new 2025 CD  Oblivity  and his life in music. Based in Washington, D.C., Shawn blends a wide range of influences with refined ensemble cohesion to craft the unique journey  Oblivity  offers. Featuring acclaimed saxophonist  Walt Weiskopf  on...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Vocalist  Kelly Green  on her 2025 CD  Corner of My Dreams . We first caught up with her in 2024, and now revisit her powerful new project—a heartfelt collection of original music and orchestrations dedicated to her late mother,  Kathie Green . The album chronicles her journey from deep grief to uplifting remembrance, a process t...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Grammy Award Winning Vocalist, Pianist & Songwriter Nicole Zuraitis  .. From her base in Connecticut, we talk about her new 2025 CD  Live at Vic’s  and her celebrated journey in the world of music. This album is a thrilling, unedited snapshot of her artistry at its peak, featuring an  exceptional ensemble  that brings improvisatory...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Acclaimed Jazz Vocalist Michelle Lordi  on her 2025 CD  Live at Dirty Dog  .. She teams up with veteran bassist/producer  Matthew Parrish  for their debut as co-leaders and first release as a couple. Recorded live at the storied  Dirty Dog Jazz Café  in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan, the album captures a swinging, intimate partners...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  married music power couple Premik Russell Tubbs & Margee Minier-Tubbs . We connected with them from their home in Connecticut to talk about their brand-new 2025 release  Oneness-World , how they met, and their remarkable journeys in music. Described as  “a sonic journey into the heart of our oneness through its complex musical expl...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Chicago-based Jazz Trumpeter Markus Rutz  .. We talk about his brand-new 2025 CD  Many Moons  and his fascinating life in the jazz world. On this ninth album as a leader, Markus follows his recent projects  Storybook  (2023) and  Penumbra  (2024), delivering a collection of small group recordings with top contemporaries from the Ch...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Scotland-based Jazz Vocalist, Saxophonist & Flautist Kimberley Tessa . She joins us to talk about her debut 2025 release  Feel Alright / How It Feels  and her journey in music so far. Winner of the  Scottish Jazz Awards Rising Star , Kimberley wrote much of this album at the piano during her late teens. The record is a jazz explora...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Jazz Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, Vocalist & Songwriter Joel Harrison . We dive into his brand-new 2025 release  Guitar Talk Vol. 2 – Jazz Duos  and his fascinating journey in the jazz world. This latest project is a bold collection of improvisations built around Harrison’s far-ranging compositions. A Washington D.C. native and ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Brooklyn-based Jazz Pianist & Composer Esteban Castro . We caught up with this rising jazz star to discuss his journey in music and his recognition as the recipient of  The Gilmore’s inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Young Jazz Artist Award . This honor comes with a $25,000 stipend to further his musical career and educational developme...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Blues Pedal Steel Guitarist Roosevelt Collier  on the  2025 Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival . Rooted in the  sacred steel tradition , Roosevelt first made his mark with  The Lee Boys  and has since become known for his legendary  “get-downs” —soul-shaking live shows blending church, blues, and Hendrix-inspired fire. From his home...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with decorated Jazz Multi-Instrumentalist & Composer  Roger Glenn  .. We dig into his brand-new 2025 album  My Latin Heart  and explore the many flavors, inspirations, and artistic vision behind it. Known as “ingredient X,” “the secret sauce,” and “the cat behind the cat,” Roger has spent decades elevating the music of jazz, Latin jazz,...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Educator, Conductor/Performer & Clinician  Mike Parkinson  .. We dive into the upcoming  Brookmeyer Tribute  happening  Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at The Blue Room off 18th & Vine . This free event closes out the 2024-25 Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors–Jamey Aebersold Concert/Clinic Seri...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with veteran  singer, songwriter & guitarist Jamie James . From his base in Los Angeles, we dive into his new 2025 album  Straight Up  and his very cool life in music. Jamie is a true  rock & roll lifer  — best known as the founder of early-’80s rockabilly trio  The Kingbees , longtime guitarist for the late  Harry Dean Stanton , and co-...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with New York-based  Jazz Saxophonist Jason Rigby  on his 2025 album  Mayhem . After nearly a decade away from recording as a leader, Jason returns with a groundbreaking duo album featuring acclaimed drummer  Mark Guiliana . He describes it as his  “official re-emergence as a leader” —a sonic and emotional departure blending conventional...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Toronto-based  Trombonist & Composer William Carn  on his 2025 album  The Unburdening . On this powerful new project, William explores both the negatives and positives of the human condition. It begins with  “No Peace” —a brief, otherworldly soundscape that feels like a trip through the heart of a nebula—and closes with  “Peace Be,”...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Veteran Jazz Saxophonist Michael Zilber  on the new 2025 album  Standard Deviations . We dig into this new duo CD with  drummer Mike Clark  and how Michael navigated the challenges of the COVID era. The last time we caught up was in 2020, and now we explore all the new activity, growth, and inspiration leading up to this release. T...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Acclaimed Jazz Guitarist & Composer Kevin Brunkhorst . Speaking from his base in Canada, Kevin shares insights into his new 2025 CD,  After the Fire , and his esteemed journey in music. This new project features seven original compositions reflecting on recent global and personal challenges—yet filled with warmth and optimism. His...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Acclaimed Jazz Percussionist, Composer & Educator Lloyd Haber  of  Freedom Art Quartet . We caught up with Lloyd to talk about their new 2025 album,  First Dance , and his long career in education and performance. Together with multi-wind player  Omar Kabir , Lloyd co-founded Freedom Art Quartet in 1991. The group’s diverse ethnic...