Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with vocalist, guitarist, porch philosopher and bandleader  Danny Garrison  of Kansas City-based  Bluebird Ramblers . We caught up with Danny during his day job as an assistant principal to talk all things music, Kansas City culture, and the band’s mission to keep the golden age of American music alive. The Bluebird Ramblers broadcast stra...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  🎷 On this episode, we talk with Seattle-based jazz saxophonist, composer, and educator  Kate Olson  about her new 2026 CD  So It Goes . Since moving to Seattle in 2010, Kate has immersed herself in the local, regional, and international improvised music scenes. With a BA in Music (Jazz Emphasis) from the  University of Wyoming  and an M...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  🎼 On this episode, we talk with Shanghai, China-born, New York-based arranger and composer  Zhengtao Pan  about his third studio album  Air With Layers , released on  Pinch Records . At just 22 years old, Zhengtao dives into his first fully orchestrated Symphony and Piano Concerto — marking his bold entry into contemporary classical mus...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  featuring Harlem-based Ghanaian/American vocalist  BLCK Madonna . We take a deep dive into her debut album,  Between the Lines , releasing March 27, 2026 on all major streaming platforms via  The Noir Collective / Downtown Music . This powerful and deeply personal project reimagines seven jazz standards through the lens of identity, memo...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  featuring  LA-based jazz singer and songwriter Becca Hannah . We sit down with Becca to talk about her debut 2026 album,  Tonight in My Dreams , and her lifelong journey in the arts. With a voice that feels pulled from another era and a deeply personal writing style, Becca blends  jazz, R&B, soul, and blues  into a sound that is both tim...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  featuring  Paris-based keyboardist, organist, composer, and producer Clément Simon , the creative force behind  Baby Vortex . We catch up with Clément to talk about Baby Vortex’s striking 2025 release  Not What You Think , his evolving career in music, and his deep commitment to  improvised and forward-thinking jazz . As an esteemed prod...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz Interview Series  featuring  Jazz Guitarist & Composer Homero Alvarez , joining us to talk about his 2025 album  Flowing . With his  Sep7ett , Homero delivers a vibrant and modern blend of  Latin American rhythms and Scandinavian jazz , featuring seven original compositions that travel across musical landscapes—from  Colombian cumbia and Uruguayan candomb...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  with celebrated jazz husband-and-wife duo  Bill Sample and Darlene Cooper , known together as  Wild Blue Herons . We get into their soulful return with the  2026 album  It’s All About Love  and explore their powerful union, shared history, and lifelong artistic partnership. This groove-driven third release blends  jazz, funk, gospel, and...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we talk with  Southern California–based jazz vocalist, composer, arranger, and educator Alex Robinson . We get into her  debut and new 2026 CD,  I Really Outta Tell You , along with her life and journey in the jazz world. Alex captivates audiences with her  warm, velvety tone , sharp lyricism, and  playful improvisation...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we talk with  Kansas City–based jazz guitarist and singer Mike Bourne  of  KC Boogie . We get into his  chart-topping 2025 CD  Kansas City O’Clock  and his life in music. The album’s songs are shaped from a blues that comes from another kind of clay. Instead of Muddy Waters, it’s fried in  Louis Jordan batter ; instead...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  with acclaimed jazz vocalist  Paul Marinaro . On this episode, we dive deep into his stunning 2025 album  Mood Ellington , a lavish and ambitious collection of  25 Duke Ellington vocal masterpieces  reimagined for the 21st century. This remarkable project features arrangements by  13 of the world’s most celebrated jazz arrangers , includ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  featuring  Tony Award® nominated actress, singer, and writer Melissa Errico . In this spirited conversation, Melissa joins us to discuss her  2026 album  I Can Dream, Can’t I?  — a deeply personal and revealing project created with pianist  Tedd Firth , one of New York’s most intuitive accompanists. Together, they explore a quieter linea...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  featuring  Zurich-based jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher Mareille Merck . In this conversation, Mareille joins us to talk about her  new 2026 album  Kaleidoskop , her fast-rising career on the European jazz scene, and how she’s beginning to make waves across the Atlantic. We dive into her work as an educator, her compositional appro...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  featuring acclaimed jazz singer  Martin Bonventre  and arranger/music director  Jackie Presti . We caught up with this dynamic New York City duo to talk about their 2025 release  Swinging in a New Dimension , their creative partnership, the current state of jazz, and where the music is headed next. Martin Bonventre is a true old-school s...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  featuring  NYC Big Band Leader George Gee  and  Producer/Bassist Clyde Bullard . We caught up with them to talk about a rare, one-time-only jazz event bringing together two major forces in contemporary jazz. Multi-Grammy Award winner  Arturo O’Farrill  and the  George Gee Swing Orchestra  unite for a special performance at  Flushing Town...

Welcome to a  very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series . Today, we honor a true titan, visionary, and cultural force who will be sorely missed in Kansas City and far beyond— Mrs. Anita Dixon-Brown . Anita Dixon-Brown served as the  former Executive Director of the legendary Mutual Musicians Foundation , and she played a pivotal role in securing  Kansas City’s designation as a UNESCO...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we talk with  Journalist and Author Con Chapman  about his 2023 book  Kansas City Jazz: A Little Evil Will Do You Good . This acclaimed Boston-area writer joins us for his  second appearance on Neon Jazz , and as always, brings a deep well of insight, research, and storytelling. The book is the  first comprehensive stud...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we sit down with  Brooklyn-based jazz bassist, composer, and vocalist Kelsey Mines  to explore her latest  2025 releases , including  Everything Sacred, Nothing Serious  and  Collusion and Collaboration —a powerful project created with the mighty  Vinny Golia —along with a life fully dedicated to music. Originally from ...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we catch up with  singer, stage and film actor, tap dancer, and recording artist Elijah Rock , a dynamic creative force based in  Boise, Idaho , to talk about his new  2025 album  Memories Unleashed , live performances, his wide-ranging career, and what’s coming next. As an independent  jazz and blues recording artist ,...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we catch up with  Pennsylvania-based acclaimed jazz guitarist Jon Fadem  to talk about his new  2025 album  Thankful —his long-awaited  solo debut  and a deeply personal instrumental project. Created during the pandemic,  Thankful  came together after Jon combed through a collection of old phones, rediscovering musical...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  🎷 On this episode, we welcome back  Chicago jazz vocalist Alyssa Allgood  to talk in depth about her  2026 EP,  Leap . This modern jazz project was inspired by Allgood’s desire to take  greater artistic and entrepreneurial risks  as an independent artist.  Leap  invites listeners to move forward—whether through a bold leap, a small step...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we catch up with  acclaimed Vegas-based jazz singer Andy James  to talk about her  2025 album  Architect of My Blues , released in  November 2025 , along with live gigs, an upcoming  April 2026 performance , and much more. On this  ninth studio album , Andy drew deep inspiration from  Ray Charles , whose groundbreaking...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series . On this episode, we sit down with  New Zealand-born, Sydney-based jazz singer, songwriter, and pianist Bonnie J. Jensen  to talk about her new  2025 album  Rise  and a wide-ranging international music career. Rise  is a one-hour journey of  accessible, contemporary jazz , bridging the worlds of  soul, Latin, pop, and straight-ahead jazz...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series  🎷 On this episode, we talk with  Scotland-based jazz composer, songwriter, and pianist Andy Alston . We caught up with this veteran musician to discuss his  new 2025 album,  Dreamtime , the creative process behind his jazz compositions, and a career that has produced a large and growing body of jazz-influenced music. Andy Alston’s work...

Welcome to a new edition of the  Neon Jazz interview series , featuring  Vienna-based jazz vocalist Maja Jaku  and  producer/drummer Adrian Varady . We caught up with this creative duo in Vienna to talk about their new  2025 album  Blessed & Bewitched , how they first connected, their collaborative process, creative dreams, and much more. This new release is a deeply personal reflection of  Maja J...