Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring jazz vocalist Sivan Arbel and pianist Andrea Goretti. We dive into their 2026 album  Bazrima , a deeply expressive duo recording that captures the beauty of musical connection and creative flow. This marks Sivan’s first duo album with the acclaimed Italian pianist, creating an intimate and fluid sonic dialogue. Bazrima  means “fl...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City jazz organist, composer, and bandleader Chris Hazelton. We caught up with this very busy musician to talk about his new 2026 album  In Rotation , his work with the Cory Weeds Duo covering Huey Lewis tunes, live performances, and much more. Following up his acclaimed 2023 release  After Dark ,  In Rotation  explores time, t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with UK-based jazz vocalist, pianist, songwriter, and performer Jeremy Sassoon. We caught up with him to talk about his new 2026 album  Older and Wiser  and his remarkable musical journey. In the beginning, Jeremy attended medical school while continuing to play music — but ultimately music became his true destiny. Since launching his solo...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with award-winning guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader Derrick Dove of The Peacekeepers. We dive into his musical roots, the beginnings of the band, their evolution over the years, and their upcoming performance at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. After years of building a strong grassroots followi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Israeli composer, jazz pianist, arranger, songwriter, and independent producer Gregory Golub. From his base in Israel, we talk about his latest 2025 release,  African and Other Jazz Passions , and his lifelong journey through the world of music. This new album is an original world-inflected jazz fusion project created independently th...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with Spanish-born, Sweden-based pianist, vocalist, and composer Alicia Lazaro about her debut 2026 album  There is No End to Anything Round . Her work blends piano, voice, and electronics with immersive visual elements, creating powerful soundscapes that explore the emotional connection between sound, space, and...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with jazz pianist and composer Darren Litzie about his 2026 album  On My Own Time . With over fifteen years of professional experience, Darren has performed in a wide range of musical settings and collaborated with world-renowned artists. From 2009–2010, he toured as a keyboardist with Andrew Strong, known for h...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we welcome back jazz guitarist, composer, and bandleader Russ Spiegel to talk about his 2026 album  Timepieces . After our first conversation in Spring 2025, Russ returns with a fresh collection of modern jazz compositions built around intricate rhythms and odd meters. Featuring collaborators Tal Cohen, Vincent Dupont,...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with acclaimed roots, blues, and rock artist Matthew Curry about his 2026 Spring/Summer  One For The Ride  Tour and new album of the same name. The tour kicks off at Knuckleheads Saloon on May 21, 2026—launching a run of shows that celebrate a life built on the road and in the music. Born and raised in Bloomingt...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with Montreal-based, JUNO Award-winning jazz vocalist Dominique Fils-Aimé about her 2026 album  My World Is The Sun . This project marks the second chapter in a powerful trilogy that began with  Our Roots Run Deep  in 2023. Blending jazz, soul, and blues, the album reflects Dominique’s deep commitment to freedom...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with Austin, Texas-based singer, songwriter, and former Jitterbug Vipers leader Sarah Sharp. We dive into her upcoming 2026 album  Deja Vu , releasing May 15, a genre-blending project that weaves together jazz, folk, and Americana into a cinematic and emotionally rich soundscape. A staple of the Austin music sce...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with nine-time Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Tierney Sutton about her 2026 album  Spring , a beautiful voice-and-piano collaboration with acclaimed pianist Tamir Hendelman. Widely regarded as one of the most expressive voices in contemporary jazz, Tierney is known for her masterful storytelling and deep connect...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with Latin musician, percussionist, bandleader, songwriter, and producer Tito Puente Jr.. As the son of the legendary Tito Puente—known as “El Rey de los Timbales” and “The King of Latin Music”—he continues a powerful musical legacy. Tito Puente Jr. brings a high-energy fusion of jazz, Latin, salsa, merengue, an...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with Andover, Massachusetts-based jazz composer, songwriter, and pianist Ron Rieder. We dive into his 2026 album  Compositions in Blues and Other Hues , a collection of eleven straight-ahead jazz tunes brought to life by an inspired group of musicians. Known for his work as a pianist, Ron has expanded into compo...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with San Diego-based jazz keyboardist and composer Hindy Bare. We dive into her debut 2026 album  Jillo , a powerful and personal project inspired by Jill Ker Conway, the first female president of Smith College. Hindy shares her journey through jazz and blues, including her work with guitarist Fuzzy Watkins and...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with award-winning jazz conductor, composer, producer, and radio host Mitch Glickman. His diverse career spans film, concerts, opera, and recordings. He is the founder and music director of the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra and serves as Director of Music Programs for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. We dive int...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz singer, songwriter, actress, and charismatic entertainer Rachel Sutton. We dive into her brand-new 2026 album  Realms , a project that captures the magic of her live performances while adding rich studio nuance and musical depth. Rachel shares insights into her journey through jazz, her work on international stages, and how her t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with international jazz pianist, composer, and humanitarian Monika Herzig about her 2026 album  Transparent . Known for blending artistry with purpose, Monika continues her tradition of using music as a platform for meaningful expression.  Transparent  is a deeply personal and powerful instrumental project that co...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Jeff Lederer about his 2026 album  There’s a Yearnin’ . In a career defined by bold artistic choices, this project stands as one of his most ambitious statements — a powerful convergence of jazz and notated music that brings important, under-heard works back into the spo...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with acclaimed pianist Alex Wilson and guitarist Omar Rios about their 2026 album  The Art of the Deep Connection . This standout debut from an exceptional acoustic duo brings together Alex Wilson — a celebrated pianist, producer, and composer — with London-based Nicaraguan master guitarist and composer Omar Rios....

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Argentina-born, New York-based pianist, composer, and bandleader Emilio Solla. A Latin GRAMMY Award winner and six-time GRAMMY nominee, Emilio dives into his 2026 album  Handmade  — a powerful statement on the value of human creativity in an age of artificial convenience. More than just a collection of songs,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Minneapolis-based jazz vocalist and songwriter Leslie Vincent. We dive into her 2026 album  Little Black Book , a captivating release that showcases her lyrical imagination, warm alto tone, and magnetic presence as one of today’s most distinctive jazz voices. Her award-winning songs explore modern-day questions while staying deep...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring respected orchestral double bassist and composer Sue Cahill. We catch up with Sue to discuss her 2026 album  Evanstonia , a compelling debut that bridges the worlds of classical structure and jazz freedom. Known for her work on the classical recital stage, she has also emerged as a jazz composer gaining attention across Colorado...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring NYC-based jazz songwriter, arranger, producer, and bandleader Dewey Huang. We dive into his latest single  “With A Touch” , a beautifully layered neo-soul / R&B love song centered on intimacy, vulnerability, and the emotional complexity of modern romance. The track features expressive vocals from Doria Li, bringing depth and nuan...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed jazz clarinetist Todd Marcus of the Baltimore Jazz Collective. We dive into the formation of this powerful ensemble and their self-titled 2025 debut album — a project that captures the soul, swing, and spirit of one of America’s most musically rich cities. Founded by trumpeter Sean Jones, the group reflects the deep mus...