Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montreal-based Jazz Bassist & Composer  Philippe Massé . We talk about his brand-new 2025 album  La Vent  and his evolving career in music. Philippe’s unique sound blends influences from Middle Eastern, Latin, and even metal traditions, creating a bold and distinctive voice on the jazz scene. Inspired by greats like Avishai Cohen and...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with France-based Jazz Pianist, Guitarist, Composer & Improviser  Rob Clearfield . Originally from Oak Park, IL, Rob’s music journey began with garage bands, gospel choirs, and South American guitar ensembles before studying at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He went on to spend 15 years immersed in Chicago’...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based Educator, Composer & Multi-Instrumentalist  Zohar Amar Mokady . Splitting his time between New York and Israel, we discuss his new 2025 EP  Zohart  and a life dedicated to music. A gifted saxophonist and pianist, Zohar is known for blending jazz with indie folk, Brazilian, and medieval influences. With degrees from The New S...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Jazz Pianist, Singer & Composer Jackie Myers  about the  2025 Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival. A transplant from  Austin, Texas , Jackie spent nearly a decade on the  indie touring circuit  before making her mark in  Kansas City’s thriving jazz scene.  Now a veteran KC-based artist, she is promoting her...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Blues Harmonica & Guitar Virtuoso Harrell Davenport  on the  2025 Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival. Known as  “Young Rell,”  this  18-year-old phenom from Vicksburg, Mississippi  played his first gig in Chicago—earning over  165,000 views and 4,000 shares  of his performance on Facebook. He picked up the...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Kansas City-based Blues/Rock Virtuoso Brody Buster. On the heels of his  award-nominated 2025 album  Redemption,  Brody is busier than ever—delighting fans with his powerhouse performances. A  former harmonica child prodigy,  he has been featured on  The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dateline, Crook & Chase,  and  The Jon Stewart Sho...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist  Karl Denson of Tiny Universe  on the upcoming  2025 Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival . We caught up with this decorated artist and lifelong  Kansas City Chiefs fan  to talk about his October 3–4 performance at  Legends Field , home of the Kansas City Monarchs. Kansas City is more than a stop on the to...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Dutch Jazz Pianist, Composer, Producer & Cultural Entrepreneur  Edgar van Asselt . We dive into his brand-new 2025 live album  Song for Lost Friends  featuring the legendary Ack van Rooyen and explore his remarkable life in music. Known for his versatility and collaborative spirit, Edgar has led projects, organized concert series and...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Atlanta-based Jazz Vocalist  Karla Harris . We talk about her brand new 2025 album  Merge  and her long, decorated life in jazz. With over four decades of performing across the globe, from Portland to Provence, Karla reflects on her journey from her St. Louis roots to becoming a celebrated voice in jazz. A rich conversation on music,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with LA-based Jazz Tenor Saxophonist, Composer & Educator  Jeff Walton . We talk about his long-awaited 2025 debut album  Pack Animals , recorded at The Bunker in Brooklyn with pianist Santiago Leibson, bassist Eli Heath, and drummer Chase Elodia. A Massachusetts native and longtime Brooklyn educator, Jeff took an unconventional path to th...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Joanna Massey, Director of Learning & Engagement at Carnegie Hall , speaking on behalf of  NYO Jazz . We dive into their new 2025 CD  Life in Johannesburg  and explore how this remarkable ensemble of young musicians (ages 16–19) is shaping the future of American jazz. Led by Artistic Director  Sean Jones , NYO Jazz brings together to...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Vermont-based Jazz Trumpeter & Composer Tom Gershwin . We explore his new 2025 CD  Wellspring  and his life in jazz. On this album, Tom draws inspiration from the ever-present reminder that energy and life flow all around us, waiting to be tapped into and transformed into vibrant creation. His music lives at the intersection of cha...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Jazz Saxophonist & Bandleader Jeff Coffin  of the  Wild Iris Brass Band . We dive into his brand-new 2025 CD  Way Up  and life in today’s music world. Based in Nashville but deeply informed by the New Orleans tradition, Wild Iris Brass Band—co-founded with trombonist  Ray Mason —blends  compositional sophistication  with the raw en...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  NYC-based Jazz Trumpeter & Educator Dave Douglas . We dive into his  new 2025 CD  Alloy , his life in jazz, and his passion for teaching and community. This new release is a  warm, lyrical album  of original compositions showcasing the rich shades of brass. Designed to bring musicians together as one organic unit, it speaks to the...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with acclaimed Mexico City–based  Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Bandleader & Educator Erik Deutsch . We explore his brand-new 2025 release  This Was Then  and a storied, eclectic journey in music. This is his ninth full-length album, featuring his long-running NYC sextet with Tony Mason (drums), Jeff Hill (bass), Avi Bortnick (guitar), Mi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Raleigh-based Jazz Guitarist, Percussionist & Educator  Doug Sours . We talk about his brand new 2025 CD  Dream World , a project blending jazz guitar influences with old-world rhythms, frame drums, and African percussion. Doug shares insights into his beginnings, creative process, musical influences, and what’s ahead on his journey....

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  with veteran journalist and author  Larry Tye . A longtime journalist with experience at the  Boston Globe ,  Anniston Star , and  Louisville Courier-Journal , Larry is also a Nieman Fellow at Harvard. His acclaimed books have covered everything from PR pioneer Edward L. Bernays and Negro Leagues legend Satchel Paige to Superman, the Jew...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  with Japanese-born, Chicago-based jazz pianist  Hana Fujisaki  of  Entre Amigos . We talk about the band’s brand-new 2025 album  Magpie – The Music of Joe Clark , her journey from Japan to the U.S., and her role in Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene. Entre Amigos  is a Chicago supergroup featuring saxophonist Roy McGrath, pianist Hana Fujisaki...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  with NYC-based jazz singer  Anaïs Reno . We talk about her brand-new 2025 album  Lady of the Lavender Mist  — a project that reflects her deep love of Duke Ellington, her evolution as an artist, and her unwavering connection to the jazz tradition. We first interviewed Anaïs back in 2021 during her high school years in the COVID era. Now,...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with pianist  Chris Grasso , vocalist  Lauren Scales , and saxophonist  Mike Flanagan . We caught up with this dynamic trio to discuss their brand-new 2025 debut album  Many Rivers  on  Truth Revolution Recording Collective  and the story behind their creative union. These three acclaimed artists, each from diverse musical backgrounds, a...

🎙  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  Denver-based jazz pianist and composer Bob Schlesinger  about his much-anticipated  debut album as a leader,  Falling From Earth , and his charmed life in music. Conceived in 2018, this project weathered the pandemic’s delays and has now emerged as a fully realized artistic statement. The album features...

🎙  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  New York City-based multi-genre vocalist, composer, and arranger Kieran Brown  about her  debut 2025 album  Loving You  and her journey through the jazz world. With a foundation in  jazz, R&B, and the American Songbook , Kieran brings a  fresh yet deeply rooted approach  to her music, blending a profound...

🎤  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  LA-based jazz vocalist and songwriter Susan Krebs  about her  2025 album  Little Did I Dream . Known as  The Jazz Gardener , Susan delivers her 10th album — a captivating blend of  jazz standards and original compositions  — performed with her  top-shelf Los Angeles band, The Local Outfit . With a caree...

🎷  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  acclaimed jazz saxophonist Eric Alexander  about his  new 2025 album  with Vincent Herring,  Split Decision , and his  upcoming run of shows  at  New York City’s #1 jazz club — SMOKE Jazz Club . From  Wednesday to Sunday, August 13–17, 2025 , Eric and Vincent will headline a powerhouse band with  Mike L...

🎷  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  legendary percussionist Bill Summers  of  The Headhunters  about their  2025 Kansas City trip —a monumental weekend of  jazz, funk, and soul . Bill, an  Afro-Cuban and Latin jazz percussionist  and multi-instrumentalist, has traveled the globe and spent  over 50 years with The Headhunters , shaping the...