Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed jazz trumpeter, composer, arranger, and bandleader Rich Willey . In this episode, Rich returns to the show to discuss his vibrant new 2026 album, Laid Back, Vol. 1 , along with his recent move from North Carolina to West Virginia, the creative process behind the record, life as a working jazz musician in America today,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring UK-based jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Michael Bede Dunlop . In this episode, we dive into Michael's debut album as a leader, Bede (2026) —a beautifully crafted recording that bridges the rich traditions of Northumbrian folk music with the adventurous spirit of Scandinavian-influenced contemporary jazz . Recorded at The...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Los Angeles-based composer, actor, producer, and arranger Laurent Ziliani . In this episode, we take a deep dive into Laurent Ziliani's remarkable 2026 album, Anyone Can Whistle: A Sondheim Journey —a stunning jazz reimagining of Stephen Sondheim's timeless love songs. Drawing music from nine of Sondheim's legendary Broadway musi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Montréal-based drummer, composer, and producer Alexis Martin . In this episode, we dive into Alexis Martin's 2026 debut as a bandleader , Les pôles Volume 1 , a stunning instrumental jazz recording that marks the beginning of an ambitious new series of albums. Long celebrated for his work in film and television scoring , Alexis b...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring musician, producer, DJ, and Jazztronica creator Samir (FKAjazz) Zarif . Six years after our last conversation in the summer of 2020 , Samir returns to Neon Jazz to discuss his captivating new 2026 EP, Intrepid Sun: You Are the Sun, Again , along with the evolution of his groundbreaking musical vision, becoming a father, creating...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring New York City-based jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer, and arranger Kevin Du . In this episode, we catch up with one of jazz's exciting emerging voices to discuss his beautiful 2026 album, Somewhere, a Butterfly Sings , along with his remarkable musical journey that spans continents, cultures, and genres. Born in Chicago and ra...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring pianist Christophe Magnan-Bossé and vocalist Roxane Reddy of the acclaimed Montreal-based Greenhouse Ensemble . In this episode, we dive into the making of the ensemble's captivating 2026 album, Mezzanine —a bold and immersive recording that pushes the boundaries of contemporary jazz through rich orchestration, collective composi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring jazz singer, visual artist, and cultural architect Tamara Rivelle . In this episode, we connect with Tamara from her home base in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss her upcoming 2026 album, Love Letters , her heartfelt single “My Superman,” and a remarkable creative journey spanning music, art, education, and community building. “My...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Phoenix-based jazz drummer, composer, and dentist Dr. Scott Sadlon . In this episode, we dive into Scott's captivating 2026 album, Songs from Thin Air , an adventurous recording built entirely around the spirit of spontaneous improvisation. By day, Dr. Scott Sadlon practices dentistry after earning his bachelor's degree in biolog...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring pianist/composer Ruthie Dineen and bassist/composer Andrew Lion , the creative forces behind Negative Press Project . In this episode, we reconnect with Ruthie and Andrew—whom we first interviewed back in 2018 —to discuss their ambitious new 2026 album, Cycles I , created in collaboration with the acclaimed Friction Quartet . The...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed New York City jazz pianist, composer, educator, and arranger Ted Rosenthal . A longtime friend of Neon Jazz , Ted returns to discuss one of the most ambitious projects of his career—his remarkable four-album collection, Trios in 4 Acts . In this conversation, we take a deeper dive into the inspiration behind the complet...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Mexican-born jazz bassist, composer, arranger, vocalist, and educator Gabriel Espinosa . From his home base in Iowa, Gabriel joins us to discuss his outstanding 2026 release, The Brazilian Project —a vibrant recording that celebrates the rich traditions of Brazilian music, Latin jazz, and contemporary jazz while showcasing his si...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed jazz guitarist, composer, and returning guest Tomas Janzon . We welcome back a good friend of the show to discuss his remarkable 2026 album, Jazz Diary —a deeply personal project that captures the everyday creative process behind his music. The inspiration for Jazz Diary came from early morning practice sessions, late-n...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed jazz pianist and composer David Janeway . In this episode, we talk with David about his outstanding 2026 live album, Live at the Blue Llama Jazz Club , featuring an all-star trio with legendary bassist Robert Hurst and master drummer Billy Hart . Recorded live at Ann Arbor, Michigan's renowned Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ju...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Kansas City-based jazz musician, composer, vocalist, and creative visionary E.E. Pointer . We caught up with E.E. to discuss his compelling new 2026 album, Downstream Impressions , an imaginative collaboration with poet and storyteller James Benger , along with new music planned for later in 2026 and his ever-evolving creative jo...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed Brazilian jazz pianist, composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Ricardo Bacelar . In this exclusive interview, Ricardo discusses his inspiring 2026 album, Maracanós , a remarkable collaboration with legendary Brazilian percussionist and composer Airto Moreira . Bringing together two of Brazil's most celebrated mus...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed Bay Area jazz vocalist Faye Carol , one of the most respected and enduring voices in American jazz, blues, and gospel. In this exclusive interview, we celebrate the release of her outstanding 2026 album, Forever Dynamic —a 20-song collection that showcases the depth, soul, and emotional power that have made Faye Carol a...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and educator Helen Sung , celebrating the release of her stunning 2026 album Oracles . Marking her big band recording debut , Oracles is a sweeping musical statement of freedom, unity, gratitude, and hope. At a time when the world faces division and uncertainty, Helen channels the enduring spirit of j...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with Colombian jazz pianist, composer, and visionary Holman Alvarez , discussing his stunning 2026 album Uarli’s Bones . This bold new recording blends mythology, memory, and contemporary jazz into a deeply expressive musical journey, featuring an all-star quartet with Patricia Brennan (vibraphone), John Hébert (bass), and Kate Gentile (dr...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with South Carolina-based jazz trumpeter, composer, educator, and cultural documenter Matt White . In this episode, we dive into his captivating 2026 album Dolly , a self-produced recording that reimagines the timeless songs of Dolly Parton through the lens of modern jazz. The project bridges Southern musical traditions with adventurous im...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring acclaimed pianist, educator, jazz advocate, and club owner Spike Wilner . In this special episode, Spike gives us an exclusive tour of  Jazzcultural, one of New York City's newest and most exciting jazz venues, located on legendary Restaurant Row just steps from Times Square . More than just a jazz club,  Jazzcultural &...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with North Carolina-based jazz guitarist, composer, and educator Adam Rose . In this episode, we dive into his outstanding 2026 album Holler Serenade , a bold recording that brings together Asheville's vibrant jam band spirit with the sophistication of straight-ahead jazz . Recorded live in a single day with minimal preparation, the album...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Toronto and New York-based jazz guitarist Vladimir Redzic . On this episode, we dive into his impressive debut 2026 album, First Time Around , and explore the musical journey that led to this exciting first release as a bandleader. Rooted in the jazz tradition while embracing a fresh, contemporary voice, First Time Around showcases Vl...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Los Angeles-based pianist, composer, producer, and Latin Grammy-nominated artist Joachim Horsley . On this episode, we dive into his captivating new 2026 single, "Havana Prelude," the first release leading up to his highly anticipated new album arriving later in 2026. The recording marks the first time Joachim has reimagined the music...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Brooklyn-based jazz pianist, improviser, and composer Phillip Golub . Phillip returns to Neon Jazz after our first conversation in April 2020 to discuss his compelling new 2026 album, Partisan Ship . Emerging from the transformative experiences of the past several years, the album is a deeply imaginative work that blends con...