Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist & Composer Quinsin Nachoff on the 2023 CD Stars & Constellations .. This new album draws inspiration from mythology that seeks to make sense of the unfathomable cosmos. Uniting a chordless jazz trio – Nachoff, bassist Mark Helias and drummer Dan Weiss – with both the Bergamot Quartet, and on one track by The Rhythm Me...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Paris-based Bassist & Composer Apostolos Sideris .. He was born in Greece and after having spent considerable time in NYC and Istanbul, he recently moved to Paris. His latest album 'Past-Presented' on Parallel Records gave him the opportunity to expand on his fusing between modern jazz and the sounds of the Eastern Mediterranean. It f...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Singer on the 2023 CD Two Moons Michelle Lordi .. On this fourth album out on Imani Records, she is joined by pianist and Imani owner Orrin Evans, bassist Eric Revis, and drummer Nasheet Waits, partners on three albums as the collective trio Tar Baby, who contribute their customary attitude of what Lordi calls “reckless abandon”...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist & Composer Kevin Sun on the 2023 CD The Depths of Memory .. Losing nearly two years of gigs was undoubtedly a challenge for every working musician, yet Kevin chose to take the opportunity provided by the lockdown to recontextualize his always ambitious music. He composed a set of material more appropriate to focused l...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Composer Matt Zimbel from the Canadian Band Manteca .. We had a good talk about their new 2023 CD The Offspring Project .. Founded in Toronto in 1979, Manteca has played to wildly enthusiastic crowds from the North Sea Jazz Festival to the Hollywood Bowl and released thirteen critically acclaimed, award-winning recordings. The jo...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist Allison Au on the 2023 Album Migrations .. This album is a musical exploration of why people leave their homes to pursue life in a new land, and the reverberating impact it has on future generations. It is an acoustic tribute to the complex but universal human act of migration, weaving lush, mosaic-like dreamscapes wi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Athens-born, London-based Jazz Pianist, Composer & Bandleader Maria Grapsa .. She enthusiastically reached out and spoke with the show about her new & debut 2023 CD Life coming out on November 3rd via Musical Dojo Records featuring an all-star cast of UK’s rising musicians  .. Her music is influenced by cinematic themes; pushing the l...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Musician & Producer Sean Mendelson .. He is the son of Peanuts® TV Producer Lee Mendelson and a huge part of overseeing the first time ever release  complete Vince Guaraldi Soundtrack to “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” The album includes the original recordings that comprise the thirteen song cues of the Special, plus another nin...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Greek-native Jazz Drummer Alex Louloudis on the 2023 CD What We Are … This album is the flower that came out of the years-long collaboration between Zack Clarke and Alex. The two met in New York City, became friends, and started collaborating in a variety of musical situations. Countless sessions, exploring the freer side of the Jazz...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Father & Son Jazz Trumpet/Composer Duo John Sneider & David Sneider on the New 2023 CD Sneid Remarks … They explore the musical possibilities and potential of the two-trumpet format on their new album for Cellar Live. The Sneiders were joined here by pianist Jeb Patton, bassist Ugonna Okegwo and drummer Andy Watson to explore some dee...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Argentina-born, Berlin-based Jazz Drummer Axel Filip .. He reached out to the show about his new 2023 CD Habitat including an international ensemble of great talent .. We cover this project, surviving COVID, his life in jazz, traveling the world and so much more .. Enjoy the interview .. For More Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - ht...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist & Vocalist Rachel Eckroth on the 2023 CD Humanoid .. After appearing as a leader or co-leader on twenty albums, pianist and vocalist Rachel Eckroth still finds herself wanting to explore that innate sense of musical identity without boundaries. She felt her live album Humanoid would be the perfect opportunity for that. Sh...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Detroit-based Jazz Vocalist, Composer, Arranger, Producer & Educator Olivia Van Goor .. We got into her new 2023 CD Don’t Be Mad at Me, surviving COVID and her life in music .. Raised in Hudson, Ohio, she learned how to play piano, sing in choirs, and eventually how to perform as a soloist. The love for music grew as she explored diff...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with French Jazz Singer & Recording Artist Raquel Bitton .. We discussed her new 2023 CD C’Est Magnifique and an illustrious career that has brought her to sold out houses all over the US and Canada .. The real magic began in 1970 as a teenager when she moved to San Francisco with her parents and brothers. The love affair began and her car...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with London-based Jazz Saxophonist Alex Hitchcock .. We get into his 2023 CD Dream Band – Live in London that is the culmination of a 3 night residency at London's legendary Vortex Club .. He stands as a distinctive improviser and a leading voice on his instrument in the UK. We cover this latest project, surviving COVID, the future and so...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Award-Winning Jazz Vocalist, Composer & Educator Kavita Shah .. She opened up about her new 2023 CD Cape Verdean Blues that acts as a tribute to the legendary singer Cesária Évora & a love letter to her experience in Cape Verde. She is a lifelong New Yorker of Indian origin hailed that incorporates her ethnographic research on Brazili...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with The Leader of the Chicago-based Jazz Group Bowmansville Swing Ethan Adelsman on the 2023 Album Bowmanville .. We caught up with him for a follow up from our prior 2017 interview to talk about their new self-titled album. Featuring a unique frontline of guitar, harmonica, and violin that straddles the gypsy jazz music of Django Reinhar...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer Rob Garcia on the 2023 Album Natural Bounce  .. The Rob Garcia 4 is a working group and Rob has led them through performances at major venues and festivals around the world .. The group has previously released 5 critically acclaimed albums, 4 albums on Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records and 1 on Fresh Sound Records. Rob co...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Canadian Jazz Leader, Composer & Bassist Jesse Dietschi .. He opened up about his new new 2023 CD Gradient and his life in music .. This  international touring and recording jazz artist is a top-call extra musician with both the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and Canadian Opera Company. On this project, he is joined by pianist Ewen Farnco...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Acclaimed Jazz Composer and Arranger Drew Zaremba .. We got into his new 2023 CD Reunion and his life in music .. Drawing eclectic influence from icons of big band, heroes of classical music, and the luminaries of British Rock, he combines, concocts, and creates with a refreshing originality in the wildest of never-before-imagined man...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Saxophonist T.K. Blue on the 2023 Album Tide of Love  .. The decorated and steamed veteran alto saxophonist and flautist releases a new album of melodic romantic music that always creates a hypnotic and memorable music experience. Joining him on this album is vibraphonist Stefon Harris and pianist James Weidman on a proje...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Guirarist Danny Embrey .. We caught up with this Kansas City legend about his latest 2023 album live in the Orion Room at the Green Lady Lounge .. He has been a staple at this rousing KC Jazz Institution .. He opened up about the album, his legacy and so much more .. Dig this interview. The Home of Famous Interviews : htt...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trombonist/Composer JC Sanford & Veteran Pianist Michael Cain on the 2023 Album New Past .. JC follows up his two previous trio albums (Imminent Standards Vol. 1 & 2) with a decidedly different approach to the trio format. Featuring pianist Michael Cain and bassist Anthony Cox, New Past delves into his diverse compositional style...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Bay Area Jazz Keyboardist & Composer Michael Echaniz .. He opened up about his debut 2023 album Seven Shades of Violet full of wonderful musicians and a title harkening to his fascination with both mathematics and color .. He is one of the brightest musicians, composers, and artists emerging from the West Coast jazz scene. Dig this st...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Iowa-based Modern Jazz Group Wave Cage .. We caught up with all bandmates about their debut and new 2023 CD Even You Can See In The Dark out on Shifting Paradigm Records .. The band brings its blend of electrified, synth-driven jazz to the national scene .. The bandmates are Ryan Garmoe on trumpet & flugelhorn), Nolan Schroeder on ten...