Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based Jazz Virtuoso & Bassist Abe Pollack .. We get into his new 2024 CD Unprecedented Time that is a set of primarily original swing-era and traditional jazz songs as a response to the sense of urgency and change in the air .. The project serves as a way for Abe to address the familiar refrain heard in coffee shop conversations a...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series Veteran Jazz Pianist Walter Kemp .. We get into his new 2024 CD – Walter Kemp 3 Black Whole Live .. It is the highly-anticipated project offering an immersive sound experience in a sonic dose of musical brilliance. He credits his musical legacy to his father, a classical and gospel composer, who sparked his early interest in piano. Seeing...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based Jazz Singer Hilary Gardner on the 2024 CD Lonesome Pines with On the Trail .. It comes out on March 8, 2024 on Anzic Records. In the early weeks and months of the pandemic, confined to her Brooklyn apartment in the silenced city, she dreamed of wide- open spaces and the freedom to roam. As such, she started researching “trai...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Guitarist Arthur Smith & Keyboardist James Hummo of the Vancouver/Montréal based Band Last Ark Out .. We got into their new 2024 CD Lift .. The album is a feat of remote creative collaboration. With 6 unique guest artists from around North America, the album delivers a potent mix of jazz, groove, rock, and funk featuring the like...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Vocalist & Songwriter Lois Deloatch .. We caught up with her to discuss an new album that was fueled by living through COVID in the new 2024 CD Love Always .. She marks thirty years in music with her new recording and is consistently recognized internationally for her rich contralto voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and di...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based Trombonist & Composer Brian Scarborough on the 2024 Album We Need the Wind out on Outside in Music. He continues his trend of blending tradition with innovation on his sophomore release. Autobiographical in concept, this is an honest album that wears its composer’s heart on its sleeve. It includes a stellar Kansas Ci...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montreal-based Jazz Drummer, Composer & Producer Will Régnier .. We get into his debut album, which is the new 2024 CD Traces .. The genre- defying instrumental music blends a variety of styles to create a truly unique musical universe. Drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of jazz, folk, and progressive rock, the nine pieces on...

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series .. On this episode, we talk with Author of 3 Shades of Blue James Kaplan .. Penguin Press is proud to publish this impressive jazz story and introspection on March 5, 2024. The book has been named a most anticipated book of 2024 by the Financial Times and Kirkus and has received glowing praise. It is the story of how jazz arr...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Jazz Bassist, Educator & Composer Rufus Reid on the 2024 Wharton Arts Gala Lifetime Achievement Award .. On Thursday, March 7, 2024, Wharton Arts will honor award-winning jazz force with its Lifetime Achievement Award at its Annual Gala. An active presence in the jazz world since the 1970s, he has recorded over 500 albums an...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Singer Danette McMahon .. We caught up with her to talk about the new 2024 CD No More Excuses .. It is a tapestry of her life experiences. Each song takes listeners into her personal narrative and it stands as her debut after all of these years in the business. As she puts it, it is her miracle .. From the moment her seve...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist and Composer Jim Funnell on Aquarius Funk with His Band Word Out .. We caught up with Jim to talk about work with his post-bop/ethno jazz fusion band “Word Out” that offers a repertoire of jazz compositions that revel in mixed breeds. Playfully blossoming through constant dialogue, their music draws from diverse tradition...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran NYC Jazz Pianist Steve Ash .. We caught up with him to talk about his impressive new 2024 CD You and The Night .. He is a native of Pittsburgh, PA and received bachelor’s degree in Jazz Piano at Indiana University. He has been performing in the New York City area as well as internationally for over 30 years. Some steady engage...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Vocal Icon & Guitarist Tina Schlieske .. She opened up about her new 2024 CD The Good Life that stands as her first jazz standards recording under the banner of Shifting Paradigm Records. Teaming up with a stellar ensemble, she embarks on a transformative jazz odyssey. Her illustrious career spans over four decades, garnering num...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Taiwan-based Jazz Bassist & Composer Vincent Hsu .. He talked about his new 2024 CD Music for the River Jazz Suite: The Spirit of Love River & Mississippi River .. Born in Taiwan, he launched his musical career in New York City, where he lived for eight years. His debut album, Homeland, won Best Jazz Album at the 2014 Golden Indie Mus...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist, Composer & Educator Neal Kirkwood .. We get into his new 2024 CD  Night City that stands all at once as playful, urbane and exuberant. The musicians and the compositions conjure up hopes and dreams, bring to mind the magnificence and tawdriness of city life and paint sound portraits. Throughout his long career he has als...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Madison, Wisconsin-based Jazz Pianist, Composer & Educator Chris Rottmayer on the 2024 CD Being .. On this new project, he pays homage to Mulgrew Miller that specifically looks into his time with the Woody Shaw Quintet. This fourth album as leader contains all original compositions performed by his quartet featuring Russ Johnson on tr...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC Jazz Trombonist on the 2024 Album Fellowship David Gibson .. As indicated by the title of his Imani Records leader debut, this veteran player developed the repertoire on Fellowship while endeavoring “to create a sense of purpose” amidst the isolation of Covid-19. We get into his COVID stories, upcoming live shows, the relief of th...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Taiwan-based Jazz Composer Debby Wang .. We cover her debut album "Aftertaste" that contains 9 songs. This project is breaking away from the typical fixed lineup of albums. From solo marimba, vibraphone trio, octet, to a big band, different instrumentations presenting the exploration of the doubts and self-doubt that have arisen durin...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montreal Jazz Composer & Trumpeter Remi Cormier .. We delved into his new 2023 CD Glimpse, surviving COVID, his history in music and so much more .. He has always stood out on the jazz scene both in Quebec and internationally and is now considered one of the most talented trumpeters of his generation. We cover some solid ground .. Enj...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Icelandic Jazz Pianist Ingi Bjarni .. We caught up with this talented pianist from his home base of Reykjavik, Iceland to discuss his sixth album called Fragile Magic, surviving COVID, his career so far, the future and much more. We are glad he reached out and you’ll dig his story.  For More Neon Jazz Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Film Director Fernando Trueba of the Film They Shot the Piano Player .. Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they will release Fernando Trueba and Javier Mariscal’s Bossa Nova-themed animated film in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on February 23, 2024, before expanding nationwide in the following weeks. The film is narrat...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist Sharel Cassity & Drummer Colleen Clark on Alliance .. We caught up with them in tandem to talk about the release their self-titled debut album with their new co-led collective, Alliance, out March 15, 2024 on the Shifting Paradigm label. They are joined by three generational talents in this all-female ensemble out thi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Cellist George Crotty .. He reached out to the show about his new 2024 CD Inner Nature due out on April 1, 2024 .. His new project evokes a lush cello garden abloom with cross-pollinations of Baroque, Celtic, and contemporary sounds that open the heart of the listener. He is a product of the Berklee College of Music and has had quite...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Veteran Jazz Singer  Rose Mallett .. We caught up with her from her home in Palm Springs, California to discuss her new 2024 CD Dreams Realized, surviving COVID and her long life in music. She was born in Chicago and began singing in elementary school as a part of the school chorus. Rose’s family relocated to Los Angeles. At the age...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Singer Dennis van Aarssen .. We talked about his new 2024 CD Just Call It Love. It is the fourth studio album from him teamed up with Pianist and Composer Jeff Franzel. It fully represents the musical development of an artist who won "The Voice"of Holland. We get into his beginnings, evolution and the future ahead. Enjoy… Dig thi...