Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  LA-based Jazz/Pop Singer, Songwriter & Pianist  Steve Sieck .. We caught up with him about his new 2024 CD Crazy That Way, moving to LA from NYC, coming to jazz late and so much more. He moved to Los Angeles in 2021 and continues to master his music that is a mix pop, jazz, and R&B genres with meaningful, often story-driven lyrics an...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  South Korean-born, Brooklyn-based Jazz Pianist  Hayoung Lyou .. We caught up with her to talk about the new album  The Myth of Katabasis  with her band featuring Thomas Morgan on double bass and Steven Crammer on drums, along with her life in music. “Katabasis" means "journey to the underworld" in Greek, and the structure of the reco...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Colombian-born, NYC Jazz Pianist, Composer & Educator  Holman Alvarez .. We talked to him about this new new 2024 CD Hidden Objects done with amazing musicians like trumpeter Adam O’Farrill, bassist Drew Gress & drummer Satoshi Takeishi. The record is influenced by his studies in philosophy and reading about Climate change. His piano...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  NYC-based Jazz Singer & Pianist Cestari  .. We caught up with this young and very eager musician about his new 2024 CD as he goes under the moniker Cestari.  WHEN THEY COME OUT AT NIGHT  is a two part epic that explores the world of nightlife, isolation, and the addictive cycles that inhabit it through intense jazz-pop fusion and poe...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Prolific & Legendary Jazz Percussionist and Vibes Player Terry Gibbs  –  Originally from Brooklyn, New York .. He would go on to become a legend in the world of jazz .. After seeing his hero Benny Goodman rise from the stage at the Parmaount Theater, he would go on to play with him extensively in his career .. He has a biography out t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Argentinian-born, Brooklyn-based  Jazz Pianist and Composer  Santiago Leibson .. We caught up with him bout new music, his life in jazz and well beyond. His music is situated in the frontier of jazz, improvised music, classical and contemporary music. As a bandleader, he has released four records and continues to be a grand active mem...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Jazz Flutist & Composer  Yulia Musayelyan  on the 2024 CD Strange Times  .. The last time we caught up with her was during June of 2020 as COVID roared on. Today, we reconvene to talk about her new contemplative release that showcases both her prowess as a performer and her depths of creativity as an arranger with her masterful blend...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Toronto-based Jazz Trombonist  William Carn & Saxophonist Tara Davidson  on the 2024 Album Reverence  .. On behalf of the Carn Davidson 9 (CD9), we caught up with this do to talk about their new project and went through the history of this band that was formed in 2010. This co-led ensemble is an opportunity for both artists to craft...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Legendary Jazz Pianist & Composer  George Cables .. We caught up with him to talk bout his new 2024 CD I Hear Echoes and a wondrous life lived in jazz. Born in New York City on November 14, 1944, he was classically trained as a youth and was highly influences by Thelonius Monk and Herbie Hancock. He went on to have quite a career pla...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Award-Winning Jazz Pianist, Composer & Educator  Zachary Bartholomew .. From his base in Miami, we got into his new 2024 CD Balancing Act and a life living the jazz. These days, he maintains a highly active performance career as one of the most heavily sought-after pianists, accompanists, and sidemen in all of Florida. In both 2016 a...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  NYC-based Jazz Trumpeter   David Scott  on the Winter 2024 Kansas City Visit of Gigs   .. On one of his bi-yearly visits, one of Kansas City’s most accomplished jazz exports will play a trio of gigs around town. On Thursday Dec 26th at 6pm he will be joining the Multiple Worlds Quintet with Michael Eaton at the Westport Coffeehouse....

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Montreal-based Jazz Pianist & Composer  Thélonius Garcia .. We talked to him about his new 2024 CD Marche Nocturne that happens to be his debut as a leader, along with covering his life in jazz so far. He has always been immersed in artistic creation in all its forms. Trained on classical piano during his conservatoire studies in Fra...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montreal-based Duo Guitarist Simon Angell and Drummer Tommy Crane .. We commenced on a fascinating discussion about their new 2024 CD Self-Titled Album, how their paths intersected, their pasts and so much more. They have been making music with a parade of celebrated band-mates across the jazz, indie rock, and experimental music scene...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  St. Louis-based Jazz Saxophonist, Composer & Educator  Bennett Wood .. We delved into his new 2024 CD Space in Time that serves as his debut as a leader, along with getting into his life as a a freelance musician, composer and clinician. The title track on this new album draws inspiration from the books Only the Ball Was White by Rob...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Colombian-born Jazz Flautist  Daniel Pardo .. We get into his new 2024 CD Ese Momento and a tremendous life in jazz from his base in Houston, Texas. On this solo leader debut, he infuses boleros with jazz, classical and latin influences in collaboration with Pianist/Arranger Sergio Pamies. This veteran musician has graced recordings...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Jazz Virtuoso Viola/Violin Player  Jimbo Ross .. We caught up with him about his long awaited first album as a leader in the 2024 album Jazz Passion & Satin Latin. He returns to his jazz roots with a cast of veteran musicians. He has spent years playing and recording with many of the greats in the industry as a session player and sol...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Acclaimed UK-based Jazz Vocalist, Songwriter & Actress  Jacqui Dankworth .. We caught up with her to talk to her about her 2024 album  Windmills , along with a charmed life in the arts. This powerful new album features Memphis-born pianist Charlie Wood’s arrangements for her trio as well as the BBC Big Band, the Carducci String Quart...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Veteran Jazz Keyboardist & Composer on the New 2024 Album Unity  Dan Siegel .. We get into his 23rd release as a leader in the new 2024 project Unity. He always covers a broad swath of the jazz spectrum over the course of his four-and-a-half decade career, from straight ahead swing to sleek contemporary sounds. This new album   reuni...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Guitarist Ryan T. Bailey & Drummer Luis Briones of the LA-based Jazz Band King Llama .. We primarily talked to them about the release of their newest album Fata Implexis. This prog/fusion band specializes in genre-bending, elastic compositions. This project is produced by multi-platinum and GRAMMY-Award winning producer/engineer Denni...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  French Jazz Drummer, Producer & Composer  Antoine Cara .. We caught up with him from New York City to talk about his new 2024 CD Status Quo, coming to America to further his jazz vernacular and so much more. This new project provides a close and vibrant look at him as player, writer and leader. It brings in heavy cats like guitarist...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  London-based, New Zealand Jazz Pianist & Composer  John-Paul Muir .. We talked to him about his new 2024 CD Home Now, a good life in music and bounding between homes in London and New Zealand. He is a gifted and highly recognized player across both classical and jazz disciplines. He won First Prize at the Kerikeri International Piano...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Italy-born, NYC-based  Jazz Bassist & Composer  Giuseppe Cucchiara .. We caught up with him to talk about his new 2024 CD Music for your Soul, roots in Sicily, NYC dreams and much more. He grew up among countless jazz vinyls and varied musical influences from an early age. His father, who happens to be a classical upright bass player,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Jazz Singer/Songwriter, Composer, Playwright and Actor  Marie-Claire Giraud .. We caught up with her about new music that includes a cover of Duke Ellington’s standard Caravan on Plaid Dog Recordings, along with an esteemed life in jazz. Born on the island of Dominica and raised in The Bronx. She started her operatic training in Rome...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Kansas City-based Jazz Saxophonist & Educator  Matt Otto  on the 2024 CD The Landscape Listens  .. Recorded in Portugal, this new album features Matt on tenor alongside  Xose  ZOH- SAY Miguélez on tenor and Abe - AHHHH BAY- Rábade on the piano. It showcases a collaboration between three renowned musicians bringing about a musical lan...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Veteran KC-based Jazz Trumpeter & Flugelhorn Man  Stan Kessler   on the 2024 Album Two's Company  .. We caught up with a now legendary player, educator and collaborator on the vibrant Kansas City scene. The album features three generations of pianists in Joe Cartwright, Brant Jester, Andrew Ouellette, Brian Ward, Roger Wilder & Charl...