Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  with Jazz Hammond B-3 Organist, Performer, Composer & Educator  Linda Dachtyl . We dig into her new 2025 album  Full Steam Ahead  and explore her wide-ranging life in music. From jazz and blues to rock and classical, Linda brings deep experience, versatility, and undeniable passion to everything she plays. In addition to a rich performin...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Trumpeter, Composer, Arranger & Lyricist  Simon Wettenhall  and Grammy-winning Pianist, Double-Bassist, Vocalist, Arranger & Teacher  Conal Fowkes  of the  High Society New Orleans Jazz Band . We caught up with these band co-founders to dig into their new 2025 album  Live at Birdland , the band’s evolution, their connection to New Orl...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with seasoned jazz trombonist, composer, and arranger  Jason Forsythe , joined by multi-Grammy-winning trumpeter  Brian Lynch . We talk with this powerhouse duo about their new 2025 album  It’s About Time , their experiences playing with the legends, crafting music at the highest level, live shows, and so much more. Released on Brian’s l...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Belgium-based jazz pianist  Milan Verbist . We dig into his debut 2025 album  Time Change  and explore a life shaped and inspired by music from an early age. With this first album, Milan takes another significant leap in a career that has felt destined since childhood. Growing up in a vibrant musical environment—shaped deeply by his...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with acclaimed LA-based jazz vocalist and lyricist  Mark Winkler  on his 2025 album  HOLD ON . This prolific artist celebrates his  22nd album  with a collection of mostly original tunes, complemented by a few tasteful standards. Each new project expands on the last, as Mark continues to explore fresh musical territory and new creative e...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Kansas City Jazz Pianist  Tim Whitmer  on the 2025 CD  Happy Holidays  featuring guitarist  Rod Fleeman . Tim and his band have been performing holiday music for decades, including a featured performance on the Kansas Public Radio holiday broadcast in December 2024. Now, they’ve recorded one of Kansas City’s most beloved holiday sho...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  with Jazz Singer, Artist & Educator  Kat Ellis . We take a deep dive into her new 2025 CD  Talking to Myself , her late-in-life singing career, her artistry, her decades in education, and the creative journey that led her to today. Originally from Syracuse, NY and now based in Boulder, Colorado, Kat is a deeply curious, creative science e...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  with  Award-Winning NYC Jazz Pianist, Accordionist & Composer Ben Rosenblum  on his upcoming Kansas City performance at  Upcycle Piano Craft on December 2, 2025 . We caught up with this standout NYC musician to talk about his trip to Kansas City for the Happy Hour concert series on Tuesday, December 2nd at Upcycle Piano Craft, 3945 Main S...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  with Writer & Musician  Michael Stephans  on the 2025 Bob Brookmeyer book  On the Way to The Sky . He’s created a deeply eloquent and comprehensive remembrance of jazz icon  Bob Brookmeyer , the Kansas City–born musical genius who passed away in 2011 just shy of his 82nd birthday. The book is part memoir, part biography, featuring essays...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Japanese-born, NYC-based Pianist & Composer Yoko Yates on the 2025 album  Eternal Moments  .. We dive into her second album as a leader and explore the art of performing live in these modern times. These 10 original compositions reflect the emotions and sensations she has experienced while living and working in the New York area. The...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Guitarist, Composer & Storyteller Eshaan Sood .. We dig into his new 2025 CD  Dream River  and his evolving life in the arts. Originally from New Delhi, India, Eshaan’s music is fueled by wonder, curiosity, and a deep sensitivity to the world around him. Inspired by personal experiences, imagined tales, and the stories of others,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed NYC-based jazz vibraphonist, pianist, composer, leader & producer Mark Sherman .. We dive into his new 2025 CD  Bop Contest , his former Broadway life, his global reach, and so much more. The album features a powerhouse lineup with pianist Donald Vega, bass legend Ron Carter, celebrated drummer and UMKC Director of Jazz Stud...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the legendary Marilyn Maye on  The Holly Jolly Follyday at The Folly  on December 21, 2025 at 3:30 p.m. We caught up with this pride and joy of Kansas City as she returns home fresh off a stellar run at New York City’s iconic 54 Below, where she performed a residency honoring Johnny Carson’s 100th birthday. Marilyn Maye famously sang...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring jazz pianist  Pamela York  of the acclaimed  Affinity Trio . We dive into their new 2025 release  New Outlook , the trio’s origins, their long-running weekly residency, live shows, and much more. Four years into their steady gig at Milwaukee’s historic Mason Street Grill, trumpeter  Eric Jacobson , bassist  Clay Schaub , and Pame...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed NYC-based jazz alto saxophonist  Ned Rothenberg . We caught up with him to talk about his new 2025 release  Looms and Legends , navigating the COVID era, and his long, influential career in the world of jazz and beyond. Ned is a multi-instrumentalist who composes and performs on saxophones, clarinets, flute, and shakuhachi—t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with multi-talented NYC-based jazz trombonist  Mark Miller . In this episode, we take a deep dive into his new 2025 release  Storybook – The Music of Mark Miller , recorded with the acclaimed Birdland Big Band. Storybook  marks the third recording from the New York City–based Birdland Big Band and showcases Mark’s rich musical voice. He co...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Mexican-born, Bronx-based acclaimed jazz drummer  Enrique Haneine . We dive into his new 2025 album  Conceivable Directions , his survival through COVID, and the long, multifaceted journey of his jazz career. This new project carries an intriguing, evocative energy—full of mystery, abstraction, and depth. Born in Mexico City, Enrique...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Kansas City–based jazz guitarist  Brian Baggett  discussing his 2025 album  Nothing Left to Lose: Live at Green Lady Lounge, Volume 2 . The new record hits all streaming platforms on  Monday, November 10 , with a CD release event the following Monday,  November 17 , from 6–10 PM at the Green Lady Lounge. Baggett’s esteemed trio cont...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Acclaimed NYC Jazz Vibraphonist, Composer & Educator  Ted Piltzecker . We caught up with him to discuss his new 2025 CD  Peace Vibes  and his long, influential career in music. Ted is known for his eclectic musical interests and his global performance history—from major jazz and percussion festivals to concerts around the world. His e...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Veteran Jazz Guitarist Heather McKay . We catch up with her to talk about her long journey in music and her long-awaited  debut 2025 album,  Life Got in the Way . With over 25 years in the industry, Heather has performed across a wide spectrum of styles — from  Latin jazz to rock, R&B to Afro-Caribbean, and even Persian music . Now...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with veteran  Philadelphia-based Jazz Drummer Tom Cohen . We talk about his brand-new 2025 album  Embraccable Brazil  and a life fully devoted to jazz. This marks his sixth album as a leader — a heartfelt tribute to his lifelong passion for  bossa nova . Tom’s love of Brazilian music began in childhood, listening to  Sergio Mendes and Br...

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - On this edition, we had the honor of interviewing the legendary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins – During a very open, raw and revealing conversation, Sonny spoke about quite a bit .. Beginning with his new live albums that have been dispersed in 3 volumes – Road Shows – and moving on into what it’s like to play live, what he le...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Vocalist Marisa Balistreri  and  Guitarist Stefan Hall  from Madison, Wisconsin. We dive into their debut single from the upcoming album  Curve Veloci  — Italian for  “Fast Curves.”  The song is an upbeat twelve-bar jazz blues written by Stefan Hall, with Italian lyrics by Marisa Balistreri. A former professional opera singer, Mari...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Toronto-based Jazz Pianist Anthony D'Alessandro  on his 2025 album  City Lights . We dive into this powerful sophomore release — a vibrant, original jazz project inspired by the many cities that have shaped Anthony’s musical journey.  City Lights  features an exceptional lineup including trumpeter  Summer Camargo , NYC-based rising...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Jazz Bassist, Composer & Recording Engineer Mike Pope . We dive into his new 2025 album  The Parts You Keep  and a life well-lived in music. The album reflects on pivotal moments from his 30-year career and the deep emotional ties that connect life and art. One special highlight — Mike traveled to Atlanta to record his 85-year-old...