Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with veteran Philadelphia-based jazz bassist, composer, and educator Peter Paulsen. We caught up with Peter to discuss the new 2026 TurksHeadKnot Quintet album Would'a...Could'a...Should'a... along with his long and fascinating journey through the worlds of jazz performance, composition, and education. The TurksHeadKnot Quintet has develop...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz organist Pat Bianchi on his powerful new 2026 album Confluence. We originally caught up with Pat back in 2018 following a memorable performance at The Blue Room in Kansas City, and now we reconnect in 2026 to dive into a thrilling new chapter in his musical journey. Confluence is a high-energy organ trio recording that...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Russian-born, NYC-based jazz vocalist Anna Kolchina. We caught up with this rising jazz vocalist to discuss her beautiful new 2026 album Reach for Tomorrow and her remarkable journey through the world of jazz music. Born in the Soviet Union nearly 18 hours from Moscow, Anna’s early life was shaped by a deep fascination with horses — s...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with up-and-coming Chicago-based jazz pianist, writer, and composer Julian Davis Reid. We dive deep into his outstanding 2026 album Vocation and his evolving journey in the world of jazz. Known for his acclaimed work with The Ju Ju Exchange and Isaiah Collier, Julian is steadily building a powerful artistic identity of his own through musi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with veteran Faroe Islands-based jazz bassist and composer Arnold Ludvig. We caught up with Arnold to discuss the 2025 release of his quintet album Live @ Maggies '18, his remarkable journey through the music world, and winning the 2026 Faroese Music Award for Special Release of the Year. This powerful live recording documents music Arnold...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz trombonist Joey Devassy of the Interplay Jazz Orchestra. We caught up with Joey to talk about the orchestra’s outstanding new 2026 album Bite Your Tongue, his personal journey into jazz, and the continuing evolution of the Interplay Jazz Orchestra. Formed in 2013 as an offshoot of the Hofstra Alumni Jazz Orchestra, the Interplay...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Matt Fillingham of the Back Alley Brass Band on their 2026 album Some Bright Morning. The popular Kansas City-based brass band returns with another vibrant and energetic project filled with music they’ve performed and developed over the last several years. Rooted in the spirit and swagger of New Orleans brass band tradition, Some Brig...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and Kansas City jazz mainstay Alex Abramovitz on the new 2026 album Jumpin’ on Grand Live at Black Dolphin with his Swing’n Kansas City Jazz Band. We caught up with this veteran KC musician to discuss the rich Kansas City jazz scene, his longtime performances at iconic venues like the Green Lady Lounge and...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Mark Wade on his 2026 release New Stages with his trio on Dot Time Records. This latest project marks not only a brand-new album, but also a major turning point in Mark’s creative evolution — a moment where years of innovation, artistry, and experience merge with exciting future ambitio...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Illinois-based jazz guitarist, composer, educator, and Fulbright Scholar Mark Tonelli. We got into his new 2026 album Brasiliana and his fascinating path through the world of jazz and Brazilian music. This breakthrough release blends the vibrant rhythms, melodies, and spirit of Brazilian music with the creativity and improvisation of...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz professor, musician, author, interviewer, and podcast host David Schroeder. We are honored to welcome David back to the show to discuss his moving new 2026 album  A Kind of Gentle Light  along with his fascinating work interviewing some of the most important figures in jazz history. Following a landmark year spent in intimate con...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Miami-based acclaimed jazz singer, educator, and performer Lisanne Lyons. We take a deep dive into her new 2026 release  May I Come In  along with her celebrated journey through the world of jazz. Possessing a beautiful voice, a natural sense of swing, and a deep connection to the Great American Songbook tradition, Lisanne brings time...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montréal-based guitarist, composer, and bandleader Mike Bruzzese. We talked about his new 2026 album  Another Space  and his evolving career in the world of jazz. This second album stands as a deeply collaborative and expressive project that captures the spirit of imagination, connection, improvisation, and shared artistry that shaped...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Boston-based Grammy-nominated Palestinian cellist, composer, educator, and innovator Naseem Alatrash. We take a deep dive into his debut and new 2026 album  Bright Colors On A Dark Canvas  along with his remarkable journey through the world of music. Naseem Alatrash is a groundbreaking artist whose music bridges Arabic traditions, Wes...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz bandleader, vocalist, and storyteller Shenel Johns. We take a deep dive into her highly anticipated debut album  Stars , arriving in Summer 2026, along with her career, upcoming performances, and artistic evolution. This debut project marks a major milestone in Shenel’s journey following years of celebrated work as a fe...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Boston-based veteran jazz guitarist, composer, and educator Phil Sargent. We got into his new 2026 album  Slow Motions  and his fascinating life in the world of jazz. This new solo guitar album is less about technical display and more an invitation into stillness, reflection, and deep listening.  Slow Motions  reimagines jazz standard...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Brazilian jazz pianist, composer, and fusion artist Henrique Mota. We caught up with him from his base in Brazil to talk about his new 2026 release  Waning Moon  and his life in the world of music. Waning Moon  presents an intimate and contemporary approach to solo jazz piano, blending lyrical themes with rhythmic subtlety, harmonic d...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring jazz vocalist Sivan Arbel and pianist Andrea Goretti. We dive into their 2026 album  Bazrima , a deeply expressive duo recording that captures the beauty of musical connection and creative flow. This marks Sivan’s first duo album with the acclaimed Italian pianist, creating an intimate and fluid sonic dialogue. Bazrima  means “fl...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City jazz organist, composer, and bandleader Chris Hazelton. We caught up with this very busy musician to talk about his new 2026 album  In Rotation , his work with the Cory Weeds Duo covering Huey Lewis tunes, live performances, and much more. Following up his acclaimed 2023 release  After Dark ,  In Rotation  explores time, t...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with UK-based jazz vocalist, pianist, songwriter, and performer Jeremy Sassoon. We caught up with him to talk about his new 2026 album  Older and Wiser  and his remarkable musical journey. In the beginning, Jeremy attended medical school while continuing to play music — but ultimately music became his true destiny. Since launching his solo...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with award-winning guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and bandleader Derrick Dove of The Peacekeepers. We dive into his musical roots, the beginnings of the band, their evolution over the years, and their upcoming performance at Knuckleheads Saloon in Kansas City on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. After years of building a strong grassroots followi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Israeli composer, jazz pianist, arranger, songwriter, and independent producer Gregory Golub. From his base in Israel, we talk about his latest 2025 release,  African and Other Jazz Passions , and his lifelong journey through the world of music. This new album is an original world-inflected jazz fusion project created independently th...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with Spanish-born, Sweden-based pianist, vocalist, and composer Alicia Lazaro about her debut 2026 album  There is No End to Anything Round . Her work blends piano, voice, and electronics with immersive visual elements, creating powerful soundscapes that explore the emotional connection between sound, space, and...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we talk with jazz pianist and composer Darren Litzie about his 2026 album  On My Own Time . With over fifteen years of professional experience, Darren has performed in a wide range of musical settings and collaborated with world-renowned artists. From 2009–2010, he toured as a keyboardist with Andrew Strong, known for h...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz  interview series. On this episode, we welcome back jazz guitarist, composer, and bandleader Russ Spiegel to talk about his 2026 album  Timepieces . After our first conversation in Spring 2025, Russ returns with a fresh collection of modern jazz compositions built around intricate rhythms and odd meters. Featuring collaborators Tal Cohen, Vincent Dupont,...