Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Brooklyn-based jazz saxophonist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Barry . We dig into his compelling new 2026 album If I Did Not Speak Out and the artistic world behind it. This is an album that captures Ryan at a defining moment — bringing together lyrical tenor saxophone playing, original compositions and a close-working quin...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz trombonist and composer Ryan Keberle , discussing his new 2026 album Here Is Donato! . We first caught up with Ryan back in 2020, and now we're back together to explore his latest project, a flurry of activity in his musical world, and his ongoing connection to Brazilian music. Alongside his São Paulo-based band Collect...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based Swedish jazz artist, composer, vocalist, and visual artist Sophie Dunér . In this conversation, Sophie Dunér joins us to talk about her bold and fearless new collaborative project with legendary New York pianist Anthony Coleman , Messed-Up Stride . We get into the making of this exciting new album, Sophie's history in music...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Ohio-based in-demand jazz hornist, composer and educator Will Schneider . On this episode, we dig into his new 2026 album Convergence and the fascinating career trajectory that brought him to this point. Will has built a reputation as a versatile and highly respected voice in the horn community, performing modern jazz as both a bandle...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Luxembourg-based jazz pianist Michel Reis . In this wide-ranging conversation, we dive into the 2026 album from Reis Demuth Wiltgen , the renowned Luxembourg jazz trio featuring pianist Michel Reis, bassist Marc Demuth and drummer Paul Wiltgen. This latest project represents the most ambitious musical statement the trio has...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Arranger, Orchestrator & Bandleader Russ Anixter on his 2026 project What’s Next? On this new release, Russ Anixter’s Hippie Big Band transforms familiar rock, funk, fusion and jam-band repertoire into something entirely new — music driven by orchestration, groove, humor and improvisation. Rather than simply recreate the orig...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Germany-based Jazz Pianist & Composer Andrew Moorhead . Dig this fascinating conversation as we explore his new 2026 album Mirage , his journey through jazz and beyond, and the unique intersection of music, physics, discipline, improvisation, and creative risk that shapes his work. Mirage is a strikingly personal suite of etudes —...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Japanese-born, New York-based flutist & improviser Haruna Fukazawa . Dig this interview as we get into her brilliant new 2026 album, Plays at the Wrong Time , her journey through the world of jazz, and the creative philosophy behind bringing the flute forward as a complete jazz voice. Clear, swinging, lyrical, and rhythmically pla...

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...