Neon Jazz Interviews

We sit down with acclaimed  blues guitarist and singer Sean Chambers  to talk about his  2025 live album “Live From Daryl’s House Club,”  released on  Quarto Valley Records . Sean shares stories from his decades-long journey through the blues—from touring with legendary guitarist  Hubert Sumlin  to developing his signature powerhouse style. Born in Florida, Sean's love for the guitar began with th...

Welcome to a special edition of the show—something deeper than an interview or performance. This is a personal reflection on a powerful week, one marked by magic, music, and meaning. Just days ago, a long-awaited jazz journey reached its crescendo. What began as a simple email of gratitude transformed into a moving tribute to a timeless bond between a father and daughter, and to the heart of Kansa...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series.  We sit down with  jazz guitarist, composer, and arranger Russ Spiegel , speaking from his base in Miami about his  swinging new 2025 album  Nitty Gritty . With a global career that spans rock, blues, funk, Latin, and modern jazz, Russ has earned acclaim as a  respected international guitarist, bandleader, musicologist, and award-winning...

Welcome to a brand new episode of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring  Benjamin and Nicolas  from  Coco Rose , the Montreal-based  funk/pop collective  turning heads across Quebec. On the release day of their highly anticipated second album,  Cuddle Funk , we dive into their creative journey, the band's origins in 2019, and how their sound has evolved since their debut EP  Love Faster  (20...

In this episode of  Neon Jazz , we talk with dynamic  jazz vocalist and bandleader Shraddha Pai , the creative force behind  Shraddha Pai and the Prismaticks . Based in Toronto, Shraddha brings a fresh yet nostalgic voice to the genre with the debut EP,  Into the Moonlight  — a four-track collection brimming with cosmopolitan elegance and timeless jazz influences. Fusing a deep appreciation for  p...

In this episode of  Neon Jazz , we reconnect with award-winning  jazz saxophonist and composer Patrick Zimmerli  to discuss his stunning 2025 release,  Songs of Innocence . This marks Zimmerli’s  14th album as a bandleader  and his  debut release  on the newly launched  Emergence Music Productions (EMP)  label, co-founded with producer and polymath  Harold Bott, Jr. The album brings together Zimme...

In this episode of  Neon Jazz , we spotlight the powerful jazz partnership of acclaimed  Italian vocalist Mafalda Minnozzi  and brilliant  guitarist Paul Ricci  as they discuss their vibrant new 2025 album,  Riofonic . This project is a deep musical journey that blends  Italian romanticism  with the  soul of Brazilian jazz , creating a global sound rooted in emotion, rhythm, and authenticity. Over...

In this new episode of  Neon Jazz , we catch up with drummer  Stich Wynston  and saxophonist  Richard Underhill  of the iconic Toronto-based band  Shuffle Demons . We dive into their electrifying new 2025 album,  Are You Really Real , a project that brilliantly captures the magic of their legendary live performances. Recorded at the historic  Canterbury Music Studio  in Toronto,  Are You Really Re...

In this special edition of  Neon Jazz , we catch up with acclaimed singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and BMG recording artist  A.J. Croce . Known for his powerful voice and piano prowess, A.J. dives into his brand-new 2025 album,  Heart of the Eternal . Fresh off his widely celebrated  Croce Plays Croce 50th Anniversary Tour , A.J. shares stories from the road, his creative process, and w...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series.  In this episode, we talk with acclaimed and Grammy-nominated jazz harpist  Brandee Younger  — a groundbreaking artist revolutionizing the harp’s place in modern music. We catch up with Brandee to discuss her upcoming 2025 album, her highly anticipated performance at  Flushing Town Hall  in Queens on May 3, and her historic rise in the j...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series.  In this episode, we talk with acclaimed jazz singer, songwriter, and former flamenco dancer  Andy James  about her 8th studio album,  Happy People  (2025). After moving to the U.S. to pursue her passion for jazz, Andy James has created a unique sound that masterfully fuses the rhythms of flamenco with the soul of jazz. Happy People  — p...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  with  Toronto-based jazz guitarist, composer, and storyteller David Riddel , also known as  Dr. Purgatory . We explore his hauntingly creative new 2025 album,  The Consumption: A Tragic Folktale in Six Parts —a conceptual jazz work that blends folklore, emotion, and deep musical storytelling. Since graduating from the  University of Toro...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we shine a spotlight on  Cuba-born, Vermont-based Jazz Historian, World Music Expert, and Radio/TV Host Toni Basanta . A passionate voice for global music, Toni has been on a mission to bridge cultures through sound since his arrival in  Vermont in 2006 . As the vibrant host of  The Cuban Bridge  on  WWPV 92.5 FM “The M...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We reconnect with  Paris-based, Kansas City-bred jazz guitarist Michael McClintock  to talk about his brand-new 2025 release,  Here and There . Originally interviewed in 2021 while still living in Kansas City, Michael has since  relocated to Paris, France , embracing a new chapter in life and music. His latest album marks a creative mil...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  with  New York City-based jazz vocalist Susan Hinkson . In this episode, we explore the story behind her stunning  debut album,  Just in Time  — a project that marks her official entry into the jazz world after an impressive career in city planning and real estate policy. With a powerhouse lineup of jazz greats— Bruce Barth (piano & prod...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with Italian jazz talents  Tommaso Perazzo (piano)  and  Marcello Cardillo (drums) . We talk about their powerful new 2025 album  Portrait of a Moment  featuring legendary  bassist Buster Williams . Now based in Harlem, Tommaso and Marcello reflect on their beginnings in  Amsterdam , their shared Italian roots, and their musical evolutio...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with  veteran jazz guitarist and spiritual improviser Tisziji Muñoz . In this revealing conversation, we dive into his prolific career and latest work as a member of  The Quantum Blues Quartet  on the 2025 album  Quantum Blues , featuring longtime friend and famed bandleader  Paul Shaffer . Recorded in a single day with  no charts or pre...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series with acclaimed  jazz trombonist Reggie Watkins , diving into his powerful new 2025 album,  Rivers . Few cities rival the jazz legacy of  Pittsburgh , home to legends like  Art Blakey, Billy Strayhorn, Mary Lou Williams, and Ahmad Jamal . For over two decades, Reggie Watkins has carried that torch—performing with jazz greats like  Orrin E...

Welcome to a fresh edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  with  Kansas City-based blues powerhouse Brody Buster . In this episode, we dive deep into his compelling journey through music — from  child prodigy to international blues artist  — and explore his brand-new 2025 album,  Redemption . Released on  Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025 , with a live show at Kansas City's iconic  BB’s Lawnside B...

In this episode of  Neon Jazz , we talk with acclaimed  jazz bassist, bandleader, and educator Rodney Jordan  about his powerful new 2025 release,  Memphis Blue  – a heartfelt tribute to the  soulful people and rich musical legacy of Memphis, Tennessee . Now based in  Tallahassee, Florida , Rodney reflects on his deep musical roots growing up in Memphis, where his journey began with playing bass i...

In this episode of the  Neon Jazz  interview series, we spotlight rising star  Nanami Haruta  – a gifted  Japanese-born, Michigan-based jazz trombonist  making waves with her debut album,  The Vibe . Originally from Japan, Nanami moved to the U.S. to study under acclaimed trombone master  Michael Dease , who now serves as her mentor at  Michigan State University . Her new release,  The Vibe , show...

In this episode, we talk with  writer and jazz historian Con Chapman , author of the new book  Don Byas: Sax Expat . Originally from  St. Louis, Missouri  and now based in  Boston , Con dives deep into his lifelong love of  jazz history  and explains why he chose to spotlight the often-overlooked saxophone legend  Don Byas . Through  Sax Expat , Con brings Don Byas back into the conversation, show...

In this episode, we reconnect with  Asheville, NC-based jazz bassist Quinn Sternberg  to talk about his deeply personal new album,  Pleasant Returns  — set for release in  2025 . This marks  Quinn’s fifth full-length album , and his most introspective work to date, featuring  seven original compositions  recorded in  New Orleans —his former home—with a stellar cast of long-time collaborators: 🎷 ...

In this episode, we talk with  New York City jazz singer Naama  about her highly anticipated  2025 album  Dream With Me  — set for release on  June 6th, 2025 . This evocative new project invites listeners on a dream-themed journey through songs that explore dreams of all kinds:  big, small, sweet, and even unreachable . Dream With Me  features an exceptional lineup of jazz talent, including  Jeb P...

Welcome to a very special edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this moving episode, we talk with  Tracey Ostebo , daughter of  super jazz fan John McKergow , about their incredible journey to  Kansas City  for  International Jazz Day 2025 . Based in  Mountain View, California , Tracey has been streaming our podcast nightly to her father—who lives with dementia in  Cedar Park, Texas —usi...