Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we speak with  Dublin-based jazz saxophonist Michael Buckley , a  leading figure in contemporary Irish jazz  and an in-demand  producer, arranger, and performer . We dive into his  new 2025 album,  Ebb & Flow —a stunning collection of original compositions featuring an all-star lineup:  Greg Felton (piano), Barry Donohu...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we catch up with the  UK jazz trio Waldo’s Gift —featuring  guitarist Alun Elliot-Williams, bassist Harry Stoneham, and drummer James Vine —as they gear up for the release of their highly anticipated  debut album,  Malcolm’s Law  (2025). Known for their  electrifying sound  and a bold presence in the  new wave of UK exp...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series, featuring acclaimed Australian jazz singer  Michelle Nicolle . In this exclusive conversation, Michelle discusses her highly anticipated  2025 album  In a Silent Way , her upcoming  March 2025 tour in California , and her journey in jazz. A staple of the  Melbourne jazz scene , Michelle has been enchanting audiences since 2007 with her...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series featuring renowned jazz saxophonist  Dan Moretti . In this exclusive conversation, he discusses his 2025 album,  Brazilia Live at the Pump House , a tribute to the legendary  Wayne Shorter . Surrounded by an ensemble of top-tier musicians, Dan brings his signature artistry to this dynamic live recording. A prolific artist with an extensi...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  featuring  Kansas City-born, NYC-based jazz singer Lucy Wijnands . As she gears up for a series of exciting  March 2025 jazz performances in Kansas City , we caught up with her to talk about her gigs, life in New York, and artistic evolution. Lucy will be taking the stage for a  Big Band Concert, "Always and Forever,"  alongside her fath...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! In this episode, we catch up with  veteran jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson  from his home in  Northern California  to discuss his  new 2024 album,  Calliope , with his band Raze the Maze . Over the past 20 years, Paul has  redefined the possibilities of the bassoon , blending  jazz, classical, and modern improvised music  to create a truly...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring acclaimed  jazz saxophonist Rob Scheps  as he embarks on his  Spring 2025 Midwest tour . We dive into his upcoming performances, the  state of jazz today , and the vibrant  Kansas City jazz scene . 📅  Spring 2025 Tour Dates: 🎷  February 28, 2025  – Emporia State University (with poet & jazz musician  Kevin Rabas ) 🎷  March...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series featuring  Danish jazz bassist Lasse Mørck  of the band  Oh People . We caught up with him to discuss their upcoming  2025 album,  Part Time Elegance ,  and his journey in music. As one of  Denmark's leading jazz bands ,  Oh People  brings together some of the country's most prolific instrumentalists and composers. Their sound is a  joyf...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring veteran jazz pianist  Renee Rosnes  as we explore her highly anticipated  2025 album,  Crossing Paths . On this project, she masterfully reimagines Brazilian classics, bringing together a powerhouse lineup that includes  Chris Potter, Steve Davis, John Patitucci, and Brazilian legends Edu Lobo & Joyce Moreno . Like musical jou...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  Syrian-born, Brooklyn-based jazz composer & clarinetist Kinan Azmeh  about his latest album,  Live In Berlin , and his upcoming  album release show on March 1, 2025, at Joe’s Pub in New York City . This powerful project, recorded with his  Arab-Jazz Quartet , is  dedicated to the people of Syria . As his ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  veteran jazz guitarist Bill Moio  about his new  2025 album  Try This  and his lifelong journey in music. Born and raised in  South Portland, Maine , Bill started playing guitar at  age eight  and made his  professional debut at just 15 . He later attended the  prestigious Berklee College of Music  before...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  seasoned English keyboardist and leader of Jazz Sabbath, Adam Wakeman , about his new  2024 album  The 1968 Tapes , the history of  Jazz Sabbath , and his remarkable journey in music. Jazz Sabbath was at the forefront of the  UK jazz movement in the late ‘60s , recording two albums in 1969 that were though...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  Brooklyn-based jazz singer, arranger, and composer Sivan Arbel  about her  2025 album,  Oneness —a project that transcends tradition and embraces the diverse  global influences  found in  Brooklyn, New York’s melting pot . Oneness  is a testament to  musical and cultural fusion , reflecting Sivan’s journey...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We catch up with  Atlanta-based jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and bandleader Dave Potter  to discuss his highly anticipated  2025 album,  Retro Groove 2 . On his third album as a leader, Dave brings a fresh jazz perspective to  classic '80s hits  from artists like  Whitney Houston, Rush, The Isley Brothers, Toto, and more . His earl...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! We catch up with  Kansas City-based jazz saxophonist & bandleader Henry Scamurra  to discuss his highly anticipated  2025 debut album,  Urban Forum . This exciting new project features  vibraphonist Isaiah Petrie, bassist Spencer Reeve, and drummer Jade Harvey , delivering eight selections that honor and connect to  Kansas City’s rich j...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! We catch up with  Italian jazz double bassist Jacopo Ferrazza  to discuss his highly anticipated  2025 album,  Prometheus . We first spoke with Jacopo in 2022 about his album  Fantasia , and now he returns to explore his latest work.  Prometheus  is a reimagining of the classic myth, delving into  human consciousness and the rediscovery...

Welcome to another edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! This time, we catch up with  veteran NYC jazz pianist & composer Ted Rosenthal  to discuss his highly anticipated  2025 album series,  Trios in 4 Acts —his first studio recordings in over a decade. A prolific artist with  15 critically acclaimed albums  as a leader, Rosenthal recorded this new  4-album collection  in a whirlwind  summ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series, featuring NYC-based, award-winning jazz pianist and composer  Kobi Arad . We caught up with him to discuss his highly anticipated 2025 album,  Warping , and his incredible journey in music. This groundbreaking album explores  higher realms of reality , inspired by the  Kabbalistic four levels of Torah interpretation , using innovative t...

Welcome to another edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! This time, we catch up with  Seattle-based Jazz Trumpeter, Composer & Producer Thomas Marriott  to discuss his  2025 album,  Screen Time  and his incredible journey in jazz. On his  15th album as a leader , Marriott reimagines music from  screens large and small —from  Hollywood blockbusters to smartphone screens —through the lens of...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! This time, we catch up with acclaimed Brooklyn-based jazz singer  Marianne Solivan  to discuss her highly anticipated 2025 album,  Break’s Over , and her journey in jazz. Known for her  hard-swinging style, passionate vocals, and commanding stage presence , Solivan has established herself as one of the most dynamic jazz singers of her g...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series featuring musician and poet  Don Paul . In this episode, we dive into his 2025 album,  Louisiana Stories —a project deeply rooted in history, culture, and musical fusion. It’s been said that this journey traces back to Don’s 1977 poem,  "Colors Changing Color."  Fast-forward to today, and  Louisiana Stories  has earned high praise since ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series , featuring  Canada-based jazz guitarist and composer Strat Andriotis . In this exclusive interview, we dive into his  2025 album  Exits  and explore his long journey in the world of jazz. A  veteran musician , Andriotis is known for his versatility across multiple genres. Originally from  Greece , he immigrated to  Hamilton, Ontario , wh...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring  jazz pianist, emcee, composer, and educator Bennett Roth-Newell . We catch up with him to discuss his highly anticipated  2025 album,  It’ll Always Work Out , his passion for  teaching the next generation of musicians , and his journey in the jazz world. With over  15 years in the industry , Bennett has been a prominent figur...

Welcome to a brand-new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series, featuring  Howard Mandel —President of the  Jazz Journalists Association  and Editorial Consultant for  The Jazz Omnibus . We caught up with this veteran jazz journalist, who brings five decades of experience, to discuss his latest book,  The Jazz Omnibus: 21st-Century Photos and Writings . This 600-page collection is  unrivaled  ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series!  In this episode, we catch up with  Bay Area jazz trumpeter, arranger, composer, and educator Erik Jekabson  to discuss his  new 2025 album  Breakthrough  on  Wide Hive Records  and his dynamic career in the jazz world. A highly respected figure in the  Bay Area jazz scene , Erik has performed with  Galactic, John Mayer, and Kamasi Washi...