Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Chicago-based Jazz Trumpeter Markus Rutz  .. We talk about his brand-new 2025 CD  Many Moons  and his fascinating life in the jazz world. On this ninth album as a leader, Markus follows his recent projects  Storybook  (2023) and  Penumbra  (2024), delivering a collection of small group recordings with top contemporaries from the Ch...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Scotland-based Jazz Vocalist, Saxophonist & Flautist Kimberley Tessa . She joins us to talk about her debut 2025 release  Feel Alright / How It Feels  and her journey in music so far. Winner of the  Scottish Jazz Awards Rising Star , Kimberley wrote much of this album at the piano during her late teens. The record is a jazz explora...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Jazz Guitarist, Composer, Arranger, Vocalist & Songwriter Joel Harrison . We dive into his brand-new 2025 release  Guitar Talk Vol. 2 – Jazz Duos  and his fascinating journey in the jazz world. This latest project is a bold collection of improvisations built around Harrison’s far-ranging compositions. A Washington D.C. native and ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Brooklyn-based Jazz Pianist & Composer Esteban Castro . We caught up with this rising jazz star to discuss his journey in music and his recognition as the recipient of  The Gilmore’s inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Young Jazz Artist Award . This honor comes with a $25,000 stipend to further his musical career and educational developme...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Blues Pedal Steel Guitarist Roosevelt Collier  on the  2025 Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival . Rooted in the  sacred steel tradition , Roosevelt first made his mark with  The Lee Boys  and has since become known for his legendary  “get-downs” —soul-shaking live shows blending church, blues, and Hendrix-inspired fire. From his home...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with decorated Jazz Multi-Instrumentalist & Composer  Roger Glenn  .. We dig into his brand-new 2025 album  My Latin Heart  and explore the many flavors, inspirations, and artistic vision behind it. Known as “ingredient X,” “the secret sauce,” and “the cat behind the cat,” Roger has spent decades elevating the music of jazz, Latin jazz,...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Educator, Conductor/Performer & Clinician  Mike Parkinson  .. We dive into the upcoming  Brookmeyer Tribute  happening  Sunday, September 14, 2025, from 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. at The Blue Room off 18th & Vine . This free event closes out the 2024-25 Kansas City Jazz Ambassadors–Jamey Aebersold Concert/Clinic Seri...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with veteran  singer, songwriter & guitarist Jamie James . From his base in Los Angeles, we dive into his new 2025 album  Straight Up  and his very cool life in music. Jamie is a true  rock & roll lifer  — best known as the founder of early-’80s rockabilly trio  The Kingbees , longtime guitarist for the late  Harry Dean Stanton , and co-...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with New York-based  Jazz Saxophonist Jason Rigby  on his 2025 album  Mayhem . After nearly a decade away from recording as a leader, Jason returns with a groundbreaking duo album featuring acclaimed drummer  Mark Guiliana . He describes it as his  “official re-emergence as a leader” —a sonic and emotional departure blending conventional...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Toronto-based  Trombonist & Composer William Carn  on his 2025 album  The Unburdening . On this powerful new project, William explores both the negatives and positives of the human condition. It begins with  “No Peace” —a brief, otherworldly soundscape that feels like a trip through the heart of a nebula—and closes with  “Peace Be,”...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Veteran Jazz Saxophonist Michael Zilber  on the new 2025 album  Standard Deviations . We dig into this new duo CD with  drummer Mike Clark  and how Michael navigated the challenges of the COVID era. The last time we caught up was in 2020, and now we explore all the new activity, growth, and inspiration leading up to this release. T...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Acclaimed Jazz Guitarist & Composer Kevin Brunkhorst . Speaking from his base in Canada, Kevin shares insights into his new 2025 CD,  After the Fire , and his esteemed journey in music. This new project features seven original compositions reflecting on recent global and personal challenges—yet filled with warmth and optimism. His...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Acclaimed Jazz Percussionist, Composer & Educator Lloyd Haber  of  Freedom Art Quartet . We caught up with Lloyd to talk about their new 2025 album,  First Dance , and his long career in education and performance. Together with multi-wind player  Omar Kabir , Lloyd co-founded Freedom Art Quartet in 1991. The group’s diverse ethnic...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montreal-based Jazz Bassist & Composer  Philippe Massé . We talk about his brand-new 2025 album  La Vent  and his evolving career in music. Philippe’s unique sound blends influences from Middle Eastern, Latin, and even metal traditions, creating a bold and distinctive voice on the jazz scene. Inspired by greats like Avishai Cohen and...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with France-based Jazz Pianist, Guitarist, Composer & Improviser  Rob Clearfield . Originally from Oak Park, IL, Rob’s music journey began with garage bands, gospel choirs, and South American guitar ensembles before studying at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. He went on to spend 15 years immersed in Chicago’...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based Educator, Composer & Multi-Instrumentalist  Zohar Amar Mokady . Splitting his time between New York and Israel, we discuss his new 2025 EP  Zohart  and a life dedicated to music. A gifted saxophonist and pianist, Zohar is known for blending jazz with indie folk, Brazilian, and medieval influences. With degrees from The New S...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Jazz Pianist, Singer & Composer Jackie Myers  about the  2025 Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival. A transplant from  Austin, Texas , Jackie spent nearly a decade on the  indie touring circuit  before making her mark in  Kansas City’s thriving jazz scene.  Now a veteran KC-based artist, she is promoting her...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Blues Harmonica & Guitar Virtuoso Harrell Davenport  on the  2025 Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival. Known as  “Young Rell,”  this  18-year-old phenom from Vicksburg, Mississippi  played his first gig in Chicago—earning over  165,000 views and 4,000 shares  of his performance on Facebook. He picked up the...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Kansas City-based Blues/Rock Virtuoso Brody Buster. On the heels of his  award-nominated 2025 album  Redemption,  Brody is busier than ever—delighting fans with his powerhouse performances. A  former harmonica child prodigy,  he has been featured on  The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dateline, Crook & Chase,  and  The Jon Stewart Sho...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed multi-instrumentalist  Karl Denson of Tiny Universe  on the upcoming  2025 Kansas City Jazz & Blues Festival . We caught up with this decorated artist and lifelong  Kansas City Chiefs fan  to talk about his October 3–4 performance at  Legends Field , home of the Kansas City Monarchs. Kansas City is more than a stop on the to...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Dutch Jazz Pianist, Composer, Producer & Cultural Entrepreneur  Edgar van Asselt . We dive into his brand-new 2025 live album  Song for Lost Friends  featuring the legendary Ack van Rooyen and explore his remarkable life in music. Known for his versatility and collaborative spirit, Edgar has led projects, organized concert series and...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Atlanta-based Jazz Vocalist  Karla Harris . We talk about her brand new 2025 album  Merge  and her long, decorated life in jazz. With over four decades of performing across the globe, from Portland to Provence, Karla reflects on her journey from her St. Louis roots to becoming a celebrated voice in jazz. A rich conversation on music,...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with LA-based Jazz Tenor Saxophonist, Composer & Educator  Jeff Walton . We talk about his long-awaited 2025 debut album  Pack Animals , recorded at The Bunker in Brooklyn with pianist Santiago Leibson, bassist Eli Heath, and drummer Chase Elodia. A Massachusetts native and longtime Brooklyn educator, Jeff took an unconventional path to th...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Joanna Massey, Director of Learning & Engagement at Carnegie Hall , speaking on behalf of  NYO Jazz . We dive into their new 2025 CD  Life in Johannesburg  and explore how this remarkable ensemble of young musicians (ages 16–19) is shaping the future of American jazz. Led by Artistic Director  Sean Jones , NYO Jazz brings together to...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  Vermont-based Jazz Trumpeter & Composer Tom Gershwin . We explore his new 2025 CD  Wellspring  and his life in jazz. On this album, Tom draws inspiration from the ever-present reminder that energy and life flow all around us, waiting to be tapped into and transformed into vibrant creation. His music lives at the intersection of cha...