Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz pianist, composer, and arranger Sujae Jung, alongside double bassist Wolf Robert Stratmann.  We caught up with this Korean-German contemporary jazz duo to talk about their latest 2025 release,  Tree Huggers  — their second EP together. The project features four original compositions that explore themes of nature and memory, all w...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Kansas City-based jazz violinist Adam Galblum of Hot Club KC. We last spoke with Adam back in 2019, and we're thrilled to reconnect in 2025 to talk about his brand-new album  Dream Dancing . With a fresh batch of performances at The Black Dolphin and a regular gig schedule around Kansas City, Adam continues to push boundaries with h...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series featuring Jazz Multi-Grammy-nominated bandleader Pete McGuinness discussing his 2025 album  Mixed Bag . With over two decades of collaboration, Pete and his jazz orchestra continue to explore a wide spectrum of styles and genres. This is the fourth CD from the ensemble, showcasing Pete’s deep love for musical diversity — from swing to mo...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  Cincinnati-based jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and music educator Ben Tweedt . We caught up with Ben to discuss the release of his  2025 debut album "Life Cycle" , a compelling exploration of jazz through personal and musical evolution. From his early classical training in  Brunswick, Ohio , and  Counc...

 Welcome to a  very special edition  of the  Famous Interviews  &  Neon Jazz  series with  Multi-Grammy nominated bandleader, arranger, and jazz vocalist Pete McGuinness . Based in New York, Pete shares insights into his latest album  "Mixed Bag" , blending masterful jazz with bold innovation. 🎧  BONUS: A Hall of Fame-Worthy Conversation As the interview wraps, we dive into Pete’s deep love for t...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with acclaimed  Brooklyn-based jazz vocalist and composer Sabeth Pérez  about her stunning 2025 album  Searching For Beauty  and her remarkable journey in the arts. Known for her  crystal-clear voice, emotive storytelling, and rich blend of jazz and South American folklore , Sabeth has performed with world-class...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  renowned jazz vocalist Gillian Margot  and  Grammy-winning pianist Geoffrey Keezer . We dive into their creative partnership, the story of how they met, their journey through music and life together, and their  latest release —the fourth installment of their voice-piano duo project on their own imprint lab...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Renowned New York City-based Jazz Educator, Composer, Arranger, and Pianist Rich Shemaria . With decades of experience and collaborations with musical legends like  Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder , and  Michael & Randy Brecker , Rich has become a powerful creative force in the global jazz scene. We dive into his...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Veteran Bay Area Jazz Composer and Pianist Doug Wyatt  about his new 2025 release,  Days of Gypsy Nights , and his remarkable journey in the world of jazz. Known for  blending jazz and classical music into a transformative “third thing” , Doug’s latest album contrasts fiery improvisation on piano, saxophon...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! On this episode, we talk with acclaimed  jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader Alex Chadsey  of  Duende Libre . We caught up with him to explore the band’s powerful 2025 album  Invocation , a soulful and globally inspired project that reflects on the vulnerability, universality, and resilience of the human experience. Duende Libre— thr...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we speak with New York-based French-American jazz singer  Laura Anglade  about her brand-new 2025 release,  Get Out of Town  — an elegant, 11-track journey through the timeless world of American jazz standards. Recorded with some of the world’s finest musicians, this album revisits classics by  Cole Porter ,  Richard Ro...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  critically-acclaimed singer, songwriter, and producer Janie Barnett . We dive into her latest 2025 release,  Under My Skin: Cole Porter Reimagined  — a soulful tribute to the timeless music of  Cole Porter , and a heartfelt nod to the woman behind his genius, his mother  Kate Porter , who passionately supp...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  Toronto-based jazz pianist, composer, and bandleader Steve Holt . A true veteran of the jazz scene, Steve shares insights into his latest project with  Steve Holt’s Jazz Impact Quintet  and their dynamic  2025 album  IMPACT . This bold new release is a  celebration of fresh, original jazz compositions , re...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  Swedish experimental singer, improviser, and composer Sofia Jernberg . Known internationally for her  avant-garde vocal techniques  and fearless exploration of sound, Sofia is redefining what the human voice can express. We caught up with her ahead of her appearance at the  Park Avenue Armory Artists Studi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  with  Kansas City-born, Seattle-based Jazz Pianist Brittany Davis . In this episode, we dive deep into her powerful 2025 release,  Black Thunder —a groundbreaking  spiritual jazz album  filled with raw emotion, musical innovation, and a deeply personal story. Recorded live in-studio over just 48 hours, the album features fully improvised...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  with  Entrepreneur, Arts Leader & GRAMMY-Winning Producer Eric Oberstein , founder of  Eric Oberstein Productions (EOP)  — a dynamic NYC-based artist management and producing company. A  2x GRAMMY  and  2x Latin GRAMMY Award-winning producer , Eric is internationally recognized as a trusted curator, educator, and collaborator for innovati...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we connect with acclaimed  London-based singer, songwriter, and professor Fini Bearman  to explore her brand-new 2025 album,  Last Night of the World . This marks her  fifth studio album —and arguably her most refined and expressive work yet. It’s a powerful culmination of her evolving artistry, musical depth, and seas...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we reconnect with  Canadian-born, NYC-based trumpeter Aaron Shragge  to explore his groundbreaking 2025 album,  Cosmic Cliffs , with his ensemble  Whispering Worlds . Originally formed in 2022, Whispering Worlds is a unique  electronic-acoustic quartet  that blends  ambient soundscapes ,  Indian Raga traditions , and ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we catch up with  acclaimed New York-based jazz vocalist Tessa Souter  to discuss her captivating new 2025 album,  Shadows and Silence: The Erik Satie Project . This marks her  sixth album as a bandleader , showcasing her signature approach of blending  jazz with classical, global, and literary influences . On this pro...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  jazz vocalist Shiri Zorn  and  guitarist George Muscatello  about their brand-new 2025 album,  Looking for Light . This stunning release marks their second collaboration, featuring the world-class talents of  Brazilian percussionist Mauricio Zottarelli . A follow-up to their acclaimed debut,  Into Another...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we speak with  UK-based jazz educator, bassist, and bandleader Simon Paterson  of  Electric Gumbo . We dive into the release of their dynamic new 2025 album,  It’s On , a bold and funky celebration of  Nottingham’s finest jazz-funk talents . The album is a tribute to the  vibrant East Midlands music scene , showcasing...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we reconnect with  North Carolina-based jazz guitarist Daniel DeLorenzo  to discuss his bold and inventive  2025 album  We Probably Wouldn’t Get Along . A familiar name to  Neon Jazz  listeners, Daniel returns with a  distinctive trio record  that fuses  jazz tradition  with modern textures and a signature creative voi...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  acclaimed jazz saxophonist and educator Adam Larson  ahead of his  2025 debut at the Lee’s Summit Jazz Fest . A  veteran musician originally from New York City , Adam has been a key figure in the  Kansas City jazz scene  for the past six years and brings his celebrated talent to this year's festival lineu...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  German-born, NYC-based jazz drummer Finn Wiest , a rising star making waves with his powerful debut album  Aurora . This  quintet release  is filled with  original compositions from each band member , showcasing a collaborative spirit and deep musical storytelling. It's Finn’s calling card to the global ja...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We catch up with  veteran jazz pianist, composer, and educator Mike Pagan  to talk about the upcoming  2025 Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival  happening on  Saturday, June 28th , at  The Bridge Space  in downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri. A proud 20-year resident of Lee’s Summit, Mike shares why this festival's growing reputation pulled him in—a...