Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  with  Kansas City-born, Seattle-based Jazz Pianist Brittany Davis . In this episode, we dive deep into her powerful 2025 release,  Black Thunder —a groundbreaking  spiritual jazz album  filled with raw emotion, musical innovation, and a deeply personal story. Recorded live in-studio over just 48 hours, the album features fully improvised...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  with  Entrepreneur, Arts Leader & GRAMMY-Winning Producer Eric Oberstein , founder of  Eric Oberstein Productions (EOP)  — a dynamic NYC-based artist management and producing company. A  2x GRAMMY  and  2x Latin GRAMMY Award-winning producer , Eric is internationally recognized as a trusted curator, educator, and collaborator for innovati...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we connect with acclaimed  London-based singer, songwriter, and professor Fini Bearman  to explore her brand-new 2025 album,  Last Night of the World . This marks her  fifth studio album —and arguably her most refined and expressive work yet. It’s a powerful culmination of her evolving artistry, musical depth, and seas...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we reconnect with  Canadian-born, NYC-based trumpeter Aaron Shragge  to explore his groundbreaking 2025 album,  Cosmic Cliffs , with his ensemble  Whispering Worlds . Originally formed in 2022, Whispering Worlds is a unique  electronic-acoustic quartet  that blends  ambient soundscapes ,  Indian Raga traditions , and ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we catch up with  acclaimed New York-based jazz vocalist Tessa Souter  to discuss her captivating new 2025 album,  Shadows and Silence: The Erik Satie Project . This marks her  sixth album as a bandleader , showcasing her signature approach of blending  jazz with classical, global, and literary influences . On this pro...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  jazz vocalist Shiri Zorn  and  guitarist George Muscatello  about their brand-new 2025 album,  Looking for Light . This stunning release marks their second collaboration, featuring the world-class talents of  Brazilian percussionist Mauricio Zottarelli . A follow-up to their acclaimed debut,  Into Another...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we speak with  UK-based jazz educator, bassist, and bandleader Simon Paterson  of  Electric Gumbo . We dive into the release of their dynamic new 2025 album,  It’s On , a bold and funky celebration of  Nottingham’s finest jazz-funk talents . The album is a tribute to the  vibrant East Midlands music scene , showcasing...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we reconnect with  North Carolina-based jazz guitarist Daniel DeLorenzo  to discuss his bold and inventive  2025 album  We Probably Wouldn’t Get Along . A familiar name to  Neon Jazz  listeners, Daniel returns with a  distinctive trio record  that fuses  jazz tradition  with modern textures and a signature creative voi...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  acclaimed jazz saxophonist and educator Adam Larson  ahead of his  2025 debut at the Lee’s Summit Jazz Fest . A  veteran musician originally from New York City , Adam has been a key figure in the  Kansas City jazz scene  for the past six years and brings his celebrated talent to this year's festival lineu...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  German-born, NYC-based jazz drummer Finn Wiest , a rising star making waves with his powerful debut album  Aurora . This  quintet release  is filled with  original compositions from each band member , showcasing a collaborative spirit and deep musical storytelling. It's Finn’s calling card to the global ja...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We catch up with  veteran jazz pianist, composer, and educator Mike Pagan  to talk about the upcoming  2025 Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival  happening on  Saturday, June 28th , at  The Bridge Space  in downtown Lee’s Summit, Missouri. A proud 20-year resident of Lee’s Summit, Mike shares why this festival's growing reputation pulled him in—a...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We sit down with  veteran blues singer, songwriter, and guitarist Eric Johanson , a standout voice in the modern blues scene. Hailing from  Alexandria, Louisiana  and now based in  New Orleans , Eric discusses his new 2025 release,  Live in Mississippi  — a raw, electrifying snapshot of his live energy and soulful musicianship. With a r...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We reconnect with acclaimed  jazz pianist and composer Yelena Eckemoff  to talk about her bold new 2025 double album,  Scenes from the Dark Ages . This project blends  progressive rock ,  modern jazz , and  medieval themes  into a surreal, nearly two-hour listening experience delivered by a top-tier ensemble. Yelena dives deep into: The...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We sit down with  Vermont-based jazz guitarist and composer Dan Greenleaf , a rising talent in the jazz world. In this powerful conversation, Dan shares the story behind his  debut album   Live at Ford Hall , his creative journey, and how living with  cerebral palsy  has uniquely shaped his musicianship. Dan’s passion for jazz is undeni...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We talk with  NYC-based Jazz Guitarist James Zito  about his exciting new 2025 release,  Zito’s Jump , and his fast-rising career in the jazz world. Hailed as “ The Natural ” by Artslife Magazine, James is known for his  masterful touch ,  soulful melodies , and deep musicality that channels legends like  Wes Montgomery ,  Les Paul , an...

We catch up with veteran Kansas City-based jazz musician and educator  Stan Kessler  as he prepares to perform at the  2nd Annual Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival  on  Saturday, June 28, 2025 . A beloved friend of Neon Jazz, Stan was part of the inaugural festival in 2024 and returns in 2025 by popular demand. 🎶 He'll bring his celebrated project  Horacescope  — a heartfelt tribute to jazz legend  Hora...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! We catch up with  LA-based jazz pianist and composer Eric Scott Reed  to discuss his much-anticipated 2025 album,  Out Late . Known for his deep roots in jazz, Eric explores themes of  friendship, legacy, and late-night inspiration  on this powerful new release. Featuring an all-star quintet with  Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Eric Alexand...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we talk with  NYC-based jazz vocalist Svetlana Shmulyian  about her genre-defying 2025 project,  “Reel to Remix – Night at the Movies Reimagined.” This bold, boundary-pushing  alt-jazz/remix project  reimagines standout tracks from Svetlana’s 2019 Billboard #1 album  Night at the Movies . Produced by an  all-women, mult...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we talk with  Montreal-based jazz guitarist and bandleader Nicolas Ferron . We dive deep into his  debut album for the 2025 project , exploring his journey through Montreal’s dynamic jazz and indie music scenes. Known for his versatility and unique voice on the guitar, Nicolas discusses working with  Jonathan Cayer  on...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Detroit-bred, NYC-based jazz violinist Gwen Laster , a nationally acclaimed musician known for her bold voice in modern jazz. We discuss her powerful new 2025 release with her quartet titled  “Keepers of the Flame.” Inspired by Clyde W. Ford’s  The Hero With an African Face  and her reflections on Joseph C...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with  Indianapolis-based saxophonist and composer Sean Imboden  as he celebrates a major milestone with the release of his debut big band album,  "Communal Heart." This captivating project represents the culmination of Sean’s artistic journey—from his early days as a journeyman musician to becoming a bold, imagi...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we connect with  UK-born, Netherlands-based music producer Simon Sixsmith , the creative force behind the cinematic jazz collective  Black Gold 360 . Speaking from his studio in the Netherlands, Simon dives into the making of the band’s fifth album,  At the Still Point of the Turning World , set for release on  May 1, 2...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we speak with  Venezuelan-born jazz virtuoso pianist and composer Silvano Monasterios . Known for his  masterful technique, emotional depth, and genre-blending innovation , Silvano dives into the creation of his powerful new  2025 album  The River  and reflects on his inspiring musical journey from  Caracas to the U.S....

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we speak with  Betty Accorsi —an  award-winning Italian-born, UK-based jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader —as she shares insight into her creative journey and latest musical projects. We dive into her brand-new 2025 single  “Mary,”  a track inspired by the naturalistic poetry of  Mary Oliver , the icon...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we connect with  UK-based jazz singer, pianist, and songwriter Robin Phillips —a seasoned artist with a deep passion for storytelling through music. We dive into his  brand-new 2025 album,  Return from the Source —his first collection of original material in over  20 years . The album was born from a powerful motorbike...