Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! In this episode, we sit down with  jazz saxophonist Kevin Sun  to discuss his  2025 album  Lofi at Lowlands —a groundbreaking project that marks a  bold new chapter  in his musical evolution. After nearly a  decade in New York City , Kevin continues to  redefine jazz , embracing  radical post-production techniques  that transform  live...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we talk with  recording artist Jeanie Bryson and pianist/arranger/producer Barry Miles  about the  2025 project  Sing You a Brand New Song —a long-awaited tribute to the late  Coleman Mellett . Sixteen years after the world lost jazz guitarist  Coleman Mellett , his  solo album  Sing You a Brand New Song  is finally bei...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series.  In this episode, we catch up with  stellar NYC jazz trumpeter and vocalist Benny Benack III  ahead of his  April 4, 2025, visit to Kansas City  as part of the  Midwest Jazz Collective Tour . From  March 22 to April 10, Benny Benack III Quartet —featuring  Tyler Henderson (piano), Caleb Tobocman (bass), and Charles Goold (drums) —will hi...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we sit down with  Montreal-based jazz pianist and composer Ariane Racicot  to discuss her highly anticipated 2025 album,  Danser avec le feu (Dancing with Fire) . This second album ignites with passion and intensity, blending  jazz fusion, Latin music, metal, classical, and progressive rock  into a dynamic and electrify...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. This time, we sit down with acclaimed jazz vocalists  Kate McGarry  and  Rondi Charleston  to discuss their new album,  Suspended in Time  (2025). Originally conceived by Rondi Charleston and legendary pianist  Fred Hersch , this deeply personal  song cycle  was born from the isolation of the pandemic. However, due to long COVID, Rondi...

Welcome to a  brand-new edition  of the  Neon Jazz  interview series, where we sit down with  jazz bandleader, musician, and copyist Russell Anixter . We dive into the journey behind his highly anticipated  2025 album,  What Is , with the Hippie Big Band —a project that has been a  lifelong dream  and is already earning  rave reviews . With over  30 years in the NYC music scene , Anixter has made...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  seasoned UK jazz-soul songstress Rachael Calladine  about her highly anticipated  2025 album,  The Game. Marking her  first recorded work in over a decade , Rachael makes a stunning return with a  mesmerizing acoustic jazz and blues album  that showcases her  distinctive vocal talent and deep-rooted jazz-s...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  South Korean-born, Germany-based Jazz Composer, Pianist & Singer/Songwriter Younee . We dive into her latest  2024 album,  Younee Improvisations Live In Germany , and explore her incredible journey in jazz. Celebrated as a  star pianist , Younee is renowned for her  virtuosic piano skills, improvisational...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we talk with  Canadian Jazz Guitarist & Educator Ron Ledoux  about his  2025 album  Views, Visions & Destinations . This marks the  second release from the Ron Ledoux Quartet , featuring  nine original compositions  that highlight his renewed creative partnership with  arranger and bassist Gilbert Joanis . With  Paul Sh...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we catch up with  jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Sean Nelson  to discuss his  highly anticipated 2025 album,  Don't Stop Now , with The New London Big Band . This new release features  eight previously unrecorded charts from the legendary Thad Jones , bringing his compositions to life with an all-st...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we speak with  Dublin-based jazz saxophonist Michael Buckley , a  leading figure in contemporary Irish jazz  and an in-demand  producer, arranger, and performer . We dive into his  new 2025 album,  Ebb & Flow —a stunning collection of original compositions featuring an all-star lineup:  Greg Felton (piano), Barry Donohu...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! In this episode, we catch up with the  UK jazz trio Waldo’s Gift —featuring  guitarist Alun Elliot-Williams, bassist Harry Stoneham, and drummer James Vine —as they gear up for the release of their highly anticipated  debut album,  Malcolm’s Law  (2025). Known for their  electrifying sound  and a bold presence in the  new wave of UK exp...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series, featuring acclaimed Australian jazz singer  Michelle Nicolle . In this exclusive conversation, Michelle discusses her highly anticipated  2025 album  In a Silent Way , her upcoming  March 2025 tour in California , and her journey in jazz. A staple of the  Melbourne jazz scene , Michelle has been enchanting audiences since 2007 with her...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series featuring renowned jazz saxophonist  Dan Moretti . In this exclusive conversation, he discusses his 2025 album,  Brazilia Live at the Pump House , a tribute to the legendary  Wayne Shorter . Surrounded by an ensemble of top-tier musicians, Dan brings his signature artistry to this dynamic live recording. A prolific artist with an extensi...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  featuring  Kansas City-born, NYC-based jazz singer Lucy Wijnands . As she gears up for a series of exciting  March 2025 jazz performances in Kansas City , we caught up with her to talk about her gigs, life in New York, and artistic evolution. Lucy will be taking the stage for a  Big Band Concert, "Always and Forever,"  alongside her fath...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series ! In this episode, we catch up with  veteran jazz bassoonist Paul Hanson  from his home in  Northern California  to discuss his  new 2024 album,  Calliope , with his band Raze the Maze . Over the past 20 years, Paul has  redefined the possibilities of the bassoon , blending  jazz, classical, and modern improvised music  to create a truly...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring acclaimed  jazz saxophonist Rob Scheps  as he embarks on his  Spring 2025 Midwest tour . We dive into his upcoming performances, the  state of jazz today , and the vibrant  Kansas City jazz scene . 📅  Spring 2025 Tour Dates: 🎷  February 28, 2025  – Emporia State University (with poet & jazz musician  Kevin Rabas ) 🎷  March...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series featuring  Danish jazz bassist Lasse Mørck  of the band  Oh People . We caught up with him to discuss their upcoming  2025 album,  Part Time Elegance ,  and his journey in music. As one of  Denmark's leading jazz bands ,  Oh People  brings together some of the country's most prolific instrumentalists and composers. Their sound is a  joyf...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring veteran jazz pianist  Renee Rosnes  as we explore her highly anticipated  2025 album,  Crossing Paths . On this project, she masterfully reimagines Brazilian classics, bringing together a powerhouse lineup that includes  Chris Potter, Steve Davis, John Patitucci, and Brazilian legends Edu Lobo & Joyce Moreno . Like musical jou...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  Syrian-born, Brooklyn-based jazz composer & clarinetist Kinan Azmeh  about his latest album,  Live In Berlin , and his upcoming  album release show on March 1, 2025, at Joe’s Pub in New York City . This powerful project, recorded with his  Arab-Jazz Quartet , is  dedicated to the people of Syria . As his ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  veteran jazz guitarist Bill Moio  about his new  2025 album  Try This  and his lifelong journey in music. Born and raised in  South Portland, Maine , Bill started playing guitar at  age eight  and made his  professional debut at just 15 . He later attended the  prestigious Berklee College of Music  before...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  seasoned English keyboardist and leader of Jazz Sabbath, Adam Wakeman , about his new  2024 album  The 1968 Tapes , the history of  Jazz Sabbath , and his remarkable journey in music. Jazz Sabbath was at the forefront of the  UK jazz movement in the late ‘60s , recording two albums in 1969 that were though...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. In this episode, we talk with  Brooklyn-based jazz singer, arranger, and composer Sivan Arbel  about her  2025 album,  Oneness —a project that transcends tradition and embraces the diverse  global influences  found in  Brooklyn, New York’s melting pot . Oneness  is a testament to  musical and cultural fusion , reflecting Sivan’s journey...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. We catch up with  Atlanta-based jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and bandleader Dave Potter  to discuss his highly anticipated  2025 album,  Retro Groove 2 . On his third album as a leader, Dave brings a fresh jazz perspective to  classic '80s hits  from artists like  Whitney Houston, Rush, The Isley Brothers, Toto, and more . His earl...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series! We catch up with  Kansas City-based jazz saxophonist & bandleader Henry Scamurra  to discuss his highly anticipated  2025 debut album,  Urban Forum . This exciting new project features  vibraphonist Isaiah Petrie, bassist Spencer Reeve, and drummer Jade Harvey , delivering eight selections that honor and connect to  Kansas City’s rich j...