Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the Prince of Soul Jazz, international saxophonist and producer Nick Stefanacci , discussing his powerful new 2026 album Right Here, Right Now . We catch up with Nick from his base in New Jersey to talk about this new project, live performances, independent music production, and what it means to make music in America in 2026. This mar...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with guitarist Giulio Cuppari and drummer Giosuè Consiglio of the Italy-based Psoas Trio. We take a deep dive into the trio's new 2026 album Satori , their beginnings, evolution, individual musical journeys, and the creative chemistry that has shaped their sound. Based in Milan, Psoas Trio also features tenor saxophonist Alessio Dal Checco...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz vocalist Jennifer Madsen , talking about her powerful 2026 album Girl Talk . This female producer-led big band jazz project reimagines the American Songbook through inventive arrangements, seasoned interpretation, big band storytelling and collaborative musical leadership. Jennifer sits at the center of a richly orchest...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Acclaimed Blues Songwriter & Guitar Veteran Fernando Noronha . Originally from Brazil and now living in America, Fernando celebrates an extraordinary 30 years in the blues with his powerful 2026 album Ain't No Hiding From the Blues . Fernando's story is one of international discovery, dedication, and a lifelong love for a uniquely...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Organist Ken Lovern as we explore the remarkable 2026 Blind Boone Project . This ambitious project brings together music, history, a comic book, and a live on-stage production to tell the extraordinary story of John William “Blind” Boone , one of the first African American concert performers to achieve internati...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with International Pianist, Composer & Arranger Roy Mor on Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project's new album, New Day . We get into a deeply evocative musical journey where jazz becomes both vessel and invocation , bringing together Ethiopian Jewish liturgical traditions, pan-African rhythms, and modern improvisational language. Ne...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Munich, Germany-based Vocalist & Composer Kilian Sladek . We get into his upcoming 2026 album Colorblind , set for release on October 9, 2026 , along with his career and evolution as a creative force in contemporary jazz. With Colorblind , Kilian marks a clear shift toward a more song-driven approach . While his music remains root...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Vocalist, Seasoned Actress & 25-year Stanford Lecturer in Business and Theatre Kay Kostopoulos . As the creative force behind Black Olive Jazz , Kay brings together a remarkable mix of music, theatre, storytelling, and emotional expression. We get into her new 2026 album All This Is Possible and a decorated career dedicated t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Grammy-affiliated Percussionist, Composer, Educator & Bandleader Kahlil Kwame Bell . For more than 30 years , Kahlil has built an extraordinary career as one of today's most dynamic percussionists, performing at legendary venues including Blue Note, Birdland, and Smalls Jazz Club , along with stages throughout the United States. H...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based, Dutch-born Artist, Vocalist, Composer & Producer Vivienne Aerts . We get into her latest 2026 album Current and the remarkable creative journey behind this innovative project. In the summer of 2025, Vivienne set sail across the Dutch waterways aboard a 1951 mahogany sailboat , transforming the tiny vessel into a floatin...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Netherlands-based pop duo Pomelo , featuring Luke Elliott and Wynnm Murphy . We caught up with this exciting duo to explore their debut album Loreless , new music, their collective creative energy, and the unique sonic world they are building together. Pomelo creates seductive, engaging art-pop that draws from its musical influences w...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Jazz Vocalist, Guitarist & Songwriter Allan Harris on his remarkable 2026 release Swingin’ Love Songs . More than two decades after it was originally recorded, Allan Harris brings this extraordinary collection of previously unreleased music into the world. What began with sessions in Miami eventually returned to New York...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with Detroit-based jazz pianist, bandleader, composer, and educator Zen Zadravec . We caught up with Zen to explore his new 2026 album, New Paradigm , and a remarkable musical career that has taken him across continents and through decades of contemporary jazz. With a rich international career as a bandleader, collaborator, and educator ,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with veteran Austin, Texas-based saxophonist Elias Haslanger . We caught up with this longtime fixture of the Central Texas jazz scene to talk about his ninth album, Legacy , and the remarkable 30-year journey that has made him one of the enduring voices in Texas jazz. Legacy is deeply personal. The album is dedicated to the great mentors...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with Brooklyn-based jazz flutist/composer Michel Gentile and drummer/composer Rob Garcia as we explore two exciting new 2026 albums from Connection Works Records . Released worldwide on May 29, 2026 , these two recordings offer different perspectives on contemporary jazz while sharing a deep commitment to composition, improvisation, collab...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with Washington, DC–based baritone saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Leigh Pilzer . On this episode, we dive into Leigh's compelling new 2026 album, Keep Holding On , released on Strange Woman Records . The project finds Pilzer exploring intimate trio and quartet settings , creating an environment where composition, improvisation, inte...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with Jazz Trumpeter & FONT Music Organizer Allison Philips . On this episode, we get deep into the roots, history, mission, and activities surrounding the Festival of New Trumpet Music (FONT Music) —one of the most adventurous and important organizations dedicated to expanding the possibilities of the trumpet in contemporary music. Now...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with rising UK jazz vocalist, composer, and arranger Freddie Benedict . On this episode, we dive into Freddie's 2026 debut single, Colours , and the remarkable musical journey that has taken him from the lockdown-era writing of an original song about first love to performances on some of the UK's most prestigious stages. Freddie began his...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with Boston-based pianist Yoko Miwa and vocalist Mikayla Shirley . On this episode, we dive into their beautiful new 2026 debut album, The Midnight Hour —a recording born from late-night performances, intimate musical chemistry, and a shared love for great songs. Last year, Yoko and Mikayla began performing together during The Mad Monkfish...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with acclaimed Los Angeles-based jazz singer Amber Weekes . On this episode, we reconnect with Amber to explore her powerful new 2026 album, To Oscar with Love —a deeply personal tribute to the late, great Oscar Brown Jr. , the legendary singer-songwriter, poet, storyteller, and Civil Rights activist. For Amber, this project is much more t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with NYC-based jazz bassist, composer, and educator Hannah Marks . We originally caught up with Hannah back in 2019 , before she made the trip to Kansas City to promote her debut album. Now, years later, she returns to Neon Jazz with a major new chapter in her musical journey—her 2026 album Feed the Fire . On her second release, Hannah mak...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with acclaimed jazz vocalist and composer NicoleYvette . On this episode, we dive into her powerful 2026 debut recording, Say Yes , and the remarkable life in music that led her to this moment. Say Yes is a deeply personal and fully realized jazz statement—one that explores identity, faith, resilience, transformation, self-discovery, and t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with award-winning Brooklyn-based singer and songwriter Luiza Girardello . In this deeply personal conversation, we catch up with a young and rising artist whose music is shaped by a life lived between worlds . Born in Brazil, educated at Berklee College of Music in Boston, and now based in New York City, Luiza has spent much of her life n...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with acclaimed jazz vocalist Jonathan Karrant . In this special conversation, we dive into Jonathan's powerful 2026 album, Full Circle , a deeply personal collaboration with Grammy-winning jazz vocalist and pianist Diane Schuur . The album represents far more than a collection of songs. It is a celebration of friendship, mentorship, musica...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Venezuelan-born jazz saxophonist, composer, singer, producer, and arranger Rafael Greco . In this episode, we take a deep dive into his compelling new 2026 album, Verses Under My Shadow , his love of jazz, his Venezuelan roots, and an extraordinary career in music. Released by Blue Canoe Records in April 2026 , Verses Under My Shadow...