Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a  very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series . Today, we honor a true titan, visionary, and cultural force who will be sorely missed in Kansas City and far beyond— Mrs. Anita Dixon-Brown . Anita Dixon-Brown served as the  former Executive Director of the legendary Mutual Musicians Foundation , and she played a pivotal role in securing  Kansas City’s designation as a UNESCO...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we talk with  Journalist and Author Con Chapman  about his 2023 book  Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good . This acclaimed Boston-area writer joins us for his  second appearance on Neon Jazz , and as always, brings a deep well of insight, research, and storytelling. The book is the  first comprehensive stud...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we sit down with  Brooklyn-based jazz bassist, composer, and vocalist Kelsey Mines  to explore her latest  2025 releases , including  Everything Sacred, Nothing Serious  and  Collusion and Collaboration —a powerful project created with the mighty  Vinny Golia —along with a life fully dedicated to music. Originally from ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we catch up with  singer, stage and film actor, tap dancer, and recording artist Elijah Rock , a dynamic creative force based in  Boise, Idaho , to talk about his new  2025 album  Memories Unleashed , live performances, his wide-ranging career, and what’s coming next. As an independent  jazz and blues recording artist ,...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we catch up with  Pennsylvania-based acclaimed jazz guitarist Jon Fadem  to talk about his new  2025 album  Thankful —his long-awaited  solo debut  and a deeply personal instrumental project. Created during the pandemic,  Thankful  came together after Jon combed through a collection of old phones, rediscovering musical...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  🎷 On this episode, we welcome back  Chicago jazz vocalist Alyssa Allgood  to talk in depth about her  2026 EP,  Leap . This modern jazz project was inspired by Allgood’s desire to take  greater artistic and entrepreneurial risks  as an independent artist.  Leap  invites listeners to move forward—whether through a bold leap, a small step...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we catch up with  acclaimed Vegas-based jazz singer Andy James  to talk about her  2025 album  Architect of My Blues , released in  November 2025 , along with live gigs, an upcoming  April 2026 performance , and much more. On this  ninth studio album , Andy drew deep inspiration from  Ray Charles , whose groundbreaking...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we sit down with  New Zealand-born, Sydney-based jazz singer, songwriter, and pianist Bonnie J. Jensen  to talk about her new  2025 album  Rise  and a wide-ranging international music career. Rise  is a one-hour journey of  accessible, contemporary jazz , bridging the worlds of  soul, Latin, pop, and straight-ahead jazz...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  🎷 On this episode, we talk with  Scotland-based jazz composer, songwriter, and pianist Andy Alston . We caught up with this veteran musician to discuss his  new 2025 album,  Dreamtime , the creative process behind his jazz compositions, and a career that has produced a large and growing body of jazz-influenced music. Andy Alston’s work...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring  Vienna-based jazz vocalist Maja Jaku  and  producer/drummer Adrian Varady . We caught up with this creative duo in Vienna to talk about their new  2025 album  Blessed & Bewitched , how they first connected, their collaborative process, creative dreams, and much more. This new release is a deeply personal reflection of  Maja J...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Bay Area jazz keyboardist, composer, and producer Greg Rahn  about his vibrant new  2026 CD  Side Hustle  and a lifelong ride through the world of music. This dynamic project features a seasoned core of veteran musicians, including  former Steely Dan touring guitarist Drew Zingg , and explores a wide music...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  featuring  Chicago-based jazz vocalist & theater artist Tatum Langley . 🎶 In this episode, we dive into her new  2025 album  Tatum’s Swinging Session  and her dream-fueled journey as an emerging big band singer. Tatum is an amalgamation of musical influences, specializing in  jazz and musical theatre , and has captivated audiences every...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Grammy-nominated harpist, composer, innovator, educator, and coach Deborah Henson-Conant —a visionary artist who has redefined the harp for modern audiences. With decades of international acclaim, Deborah has built an extraordinary career as a live performer, composer, and musical pioneer, including the in...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Montreal-based jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer Jacob Wutzke  about his new 2025 album  Pedalling Falsehoods  and a life immersed in the world of jazz. This fourth release marks a powerful artistic statement, with Jacob explaining the meaning behind the album’s title and the ideas that inspired the m...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  LOBE , a collective of musicians from the  San Francisco Bay Area , about their new and debut 2025 album  was that on purpose?  and the story behind the band’s formation, sound, and mission. The LOBE collective features  Daiki Nakajima  on flute, bass, tenor and soprano saxophones;  Sam Silverstein  on vio...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Toronto-based jazz singer, songwriter, and actor Whitney Ross-Barris  about her new 2025 album  Curtains of Light  and a life devoted to the arts. Curtains of Light  is a deeply expressive recording that blends  jazz, choral music, neo-soul, spoken word, and folk , weaving intimate human stories of disconn...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we sit down with  Chicago-based, award-winning Palestinian-American composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist Wanees Zarour  to discuss his powerful new  2026 album  Silwan  and a life devoted to music. Deeply rooted in the traditions of  maqam and jazz , Wanees has developed a compositional voice that  transcends b...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we take a deep dive with  Edmonton-based jazz bassist Aretha Tillotson  into her new  2025 CD  Kinda Out West  and a life dedicated to music. This release marks her  second album as a leader  and follows her  Western Canadian Music Award–winning 2024 album  Introducing Aretha Tillotson . Kinda Out West  is an ode to the...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we catch up with acclaimed  jazz vocalist Alma Micic  to discuss her  2025 album  Lilac Wine – A Tribute to Helen Merrill , which she describes as her  finest work to date . Our last conversation took place in  2018 , so this interview also dives into  COVID-era survival , the deeply meaningful experience of  meeting He...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we talk with  Peru-based jazz flutist, composer, sound artist, researcher, and music curator Camilo Ángeles  about the newly released album  Algol  by his electroacoustic trio of the same name. The group features  Camilo Ángeles ,  German drummer and producer Christian Lillinger , and  Austrian composer and performer El...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we catch up with  French-born jazz composer and pianist Laurent Ziliani  to discuss his powerful new  2025 CD  Skybound , along with composing, life in the music world, and the role of travel in shaping his sound. Skybound  is a deeply personal musical tribute to Laurent’s dear friend, the late  violinist and pilot Ben...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we talk with  Miami-based celebrated Brazilian percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Gilmar Gomes  about his  debut 2025 album  11:11  and a remarkable life in music that has taken him across the globe. The number 11 holds deep meaning for Gilmar, and fittingly, the album was released on  11/11/25 . 11:11  is a vibran...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we talk with  LA-based jazz vocalist and bandleader Nutty Sonny Moon , the creative force behind  Nutty Jazz —a wildly entertaining project that reimagines  classic rock and pop songs through a jazz lens . With a unique approach, Nutty rearranges familiar hits by blending them with  straight-ahead jazz, big band, Latin,...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we talk with  acclaimed jazz pianist and vocalist Rich Siegel  about his new 2025 album  It’s Always Been You  and a full, wide-ranging life in music. On this release, Rich is joined by  bassist Cameron Brown  and  drummer Tony Jefferson , delivering a program that highlights his expressive  singing, piano playing, and...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we talk with  Italian-born, London-based jazz pianist Bruno D’Ambra  about his new 2025 single  Ain’t Nobody  and an unconventional, deeply personal journey through jazz. Bruno’s recent work breaks from traditional jazz production methods, created instead through his innovative project  My Session Band —a remote recordi...