Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we speak with  veteran jazz clarinetist and composer Sam Sadigursky  about his compelling new release,  The Solomon Diaries: Volumes IV & V . This deeply expressive project blends  Jewish spiritual and Klezmer traditions  with  post-minimalist classical ,  jazz , and elements of  American folk music . Collaborating with...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we chat with  jazz bassist, composer , and educator  Alex McLaughlin , as he shares insights into his new  2025 album  A Brand New State , his journey in music, and his evolving role as an artist and mentor. In addition to being a dynamic performer and composer, Alex was recently named  Jazz Program Director at Idyllwil...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series featuring  seasoned jazz drummer and composer Towner Galaher . In this episode, we explore his brand-new  2025 album  Brothers  — his  fifth release , and one that brings him back to his roots in  Portland, Oregon . Reuniting with longtime collaborators  organist Jimmy Sanders  and  bassist Randy Monroe , this album marks a soulful retur...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series featuring a special conversation with  UNESCO Treasurer James May . In celebration of  90 Years of Count Basie's Swing , we dive into the details of the  Count Basie 90 Celebration Events  happening on  April 30, 2025 – International Jazz Day  in  Kansas City . Broadcasting from his current home in Florida, James reflects on his Kansas C...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series, featuring Zurich-based tenor saxophonist  Christoph Irniger , leader of the acclaimed group  The Quintet Pilgrim . We dive into an in-depth conversation about their powerful sixth album,  "Human Intelligence Live" , released on  Intakt Records . Recorded live at the Red Horn District in Bad Meinberg, Germany, in November 2023, this albu...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! In this episode, we talk with  jazz saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, and educator Ryan Middagh  about his  2025 album  Tenor Madness  and his life dedicated to music. A heartfelt  tribute to the saxophone  and the rich community of  Nashville saxophonists ,  Tenor Madness  showcases Ryan’s deep artistry and respect for the tradition....

Welcome to a fresh edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! In this episode, we reconnect with acclaimed  Icelandic jazz pianist Ingi Bjarni Skúlason  to discuss his  seventh album as a leader,  Hope  (2025) . One year after our last conversation, we dive into the creative process behind  Hope , explore the evolving landscape of  jazz promotion , the return of  live performances , life in  Ice...

Welcome to a special edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we catch up with  Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II  to talk about the  90-year celebration of jazz icon Count Basie —happening on  International Jazz Day 2025  in  Kansas City . Titled  “90 Years of Count Basie’s Swing!” , the celebration promises an unforgettable evening of  live music, tributes, and rhythm  featurin...

Welcome to another edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we talk with acclaimed  jazz saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio  about his  12th album as a leader,  Stories, Dreams, Inspirations: For My Boy  (2025) . This heartfelt record unites  Cleveland’s top jazz musicians  in dynamic  large ensemble arrangements , painting a musical portrait of  parental joy and life’s experiences o...

🎹  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series In this episode, we catch up with  renowned jazz pianist & composer Helen Sung  ahead of her highly anticipated  Folly Theater performance in Kansas City  with the  Bach Aria Soloists on April 5, 2025 . This  world-premiere event  is a groundbreaking collaboration where  jazz and classical music converge . The  Bach Aria Soloists  comm...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we sit down with  Italian jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Emiliano Vernizzi  to explore his  musical journey  and latest 2025 release,  Good Morning World . From his base in Italy, Emiliano reflects on: 🎷  The inspiration behind his new album 🎶  His evolution as a musician and composer 🌍  The vibrant Itali...

Welcome to a fresh edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , where we dive into the music and stories of the world’s most dynamic jazz artists. In this episode, we sit down with  jazz guitarist & oudist Mustafa Dill , leader of the fusion group  Love Explode the Sun , to talk about his highly anticipated  2025 album,  Explode Yourself . From his home base in  Santa Fe, New Mexico , Mustafa shar...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we sit down with  Kansas City jazz pianist & vocalist Jackie Myers  to discuss her highly anticipated  2025 album,  What About the Butterfly . A veteran musician with a deep love for jazz, Jackie’s new album blends  modern compositional techniques with traditional jazz , embracing  spectral composition and microtonality...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! In this episode, we sit down with  Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter & Count Basie Orchestra Director Scotty Barnhart  to discuss the  90 Years of Count Basie Swing Show  at  The Music Hall on April 30, 2025 — International Jazz Day . Now in his  22nd year with the legendary Count Basie Orchestra , Scotty Barnhart is an  acclaimed lea...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  Kansas City icon Lonnie McFadden  about the highly anticipated  90 Years of Count Basie’s Swing Celebration  on  April 30, 2025 — International Jazz Day . Kansas City is set to make history once again with a  trio of events honoring the legendary Count Basie : 🎶  7 PM Main Event at the Music Hall  – Featu...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we catch up with  renowned jazz vocalist Sachal Vasandani  to discuss his  2025 album  Best Life Now —a dynamic project featuring  drumming powerhouse Nate Smith . This new release also showcases  special guest vocalists Gretchen Parlato and Shayna Steele , alongside an all-star band: 🎷  Dayna Stephens  – Saxophone, EW...

🎷  Welcome to another edition of the Neon Jazz interview series!  This time, we head to  Ann Arbor, Michigan  to connect with the  renowned Detroit-native jazz saxophonist, flautist, and vocalist Paul Vornhagen . 🔥  His latest release,   Live at the Blue Llama (2025) , captures the magic of a  working jazz combo  in full swing, recorded live at Ann Arbor’s premier jazz venue. The album delivers...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring  Kansas City jazz advocate, local historian, and leader of the "90 Years of Count Basie’s Swing" events, Anita Dixon-Brown . In this exclusive interview, we discuss her role in preserving KC's jazz legacy, her contributions as a  UNESCO Creative Cities Network  member, and Kansas City’s distinction as the first and only  UNESC...

🎷  Welcome to another edition of the Neon Jazz interview series.  This time, we head to  Mexico City  to catch up with jazz improviser, composer, writer, and artist  Jacob Wick . 🔥  His new 2025 album,   a veces me veo en el espejo y pienso en ti  ( Sometimes I look in the mirror and think of you ), is a  love letter to jazz , blending rich improvisation with deeply personal and political themes...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we speak with  veteran jazz musicians John Lentz & Harvey Diamond  about their  2025 album, "How Strange the Road Should Be So Easy"  on  Orchard of Pomegranates Records . 🔹  Harvey Diamond  – A  Boston jazz legend , Harvey has been an  unsung hero of the jazz scene since the 1960s  and was one of the last students of...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we talk with  New York-based jazz saxophonist & composer Randal Despommier  about his new  2025 album,  South , his deep musical roots, and his journey in jazz. Some of Randal’s  earliest performances  were at  Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans , playing alongside his father—a drummer who studied under the legendary  Ja...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . In this episode, we speak with members of the  modern jazz group The Empress , a powerhouse ensemble that is redefining the jazz landscape. Their  highly anticipated 2025 album,  Square One , showcases their deep chemistry, innovative sound, and the vibrant movement of  women in jazz . Produced by  award-winning jazz artist Pureum Jin ,...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series , featuring  Professor of Music and Author Aaron Johnson . His latest book,  Jazz Radio America  (2025), delves into the rise and decline of jazz on the airwaves. Currently an  associate professor of music at the University of Pittsburgh , Johnson traces jazz radio from its roots in  Black radio (1948)  to its disappearance from commercia...

Welcome to a fresh edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series.  This time, we catch up with  jazz composer, musician, and educator Gabriela Martina  alongside  pianist Maxim Lubrasky , as they take us inside their  2025 album  Explorations in Sound . Speaking from the road in  Switzerland , the duo reflects on their  musical journey together , the inspiration behind the album, and how the challeng...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! This time, we sit down with  LA-based jazz vocalist, composer, arranger, and musician Mon David  to talk about his  2025 album  DNA Continuum —a powerful follow-up to his acclaimed  2020 release  DNA . Expanding on the original  duo project  with pianist  Josh Nelson , this new album adds the masterful touch of  guitarist Larry Koonse ,...