Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with talented modern day saxophonist Miguel Zenon – He just received a Grammy Nomination for his latest 2014 album called Identities are Changeable .. He began his journey in San Juan, Puerto Rico .. and then moved on to America to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston .. Since then, he’s gigged with the best like The SFJAZZ Collec...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the sultry NYC Jazz Vocalist Molly Ryan .. On the heels of her newest 2015 album called Let’s Fly Away, she discussed a great many things during our interview .. From growing up in Rosevile, California and learning jazz tricks from a family friend .. Bob Ringwald .. the father of actress and jazz singer Molly Ringwald .. These days, s...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Jazz pianist Harold Mabern .. Over the course of our conversation, this brilliant jazz legend discussed his roots in a town celebrated for bringing the world quality musicians .. Memphis, Tennessee .. He talked about moving on to Chicago the New York City and all the cats that influenced him and those he played with along th...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with modern day jazz drummer Matt Wilson .. Over the course of our conversation,  he discussed a very long, adventurous jazz journey that he has penned, thus far .. On the heels of a new Christmas album, he talked about at gig at the White House, interviewing Dave Brubeck, playing with many legends over the years, what projects are on the...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City jazz vocalist Molly Hammer  - Over the course of our interview, she discussed her career in the thriving Kansas City jazz scene and plans to release some recordings in 2016 .. These days she is active at jazz houses like the Green Lady Lounge and loves what she does .. She’s a cancer survivor, part comedian and has some se...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Jazz Superstar Bassist Christian McBride  ..  He’s always on the verge of something new .. and now it happens to be 2017’s  CD Bringin’ It .. He was raised in a city steeped in soul – Philadelphia and in 1989 he moved to New York to pursue classical studies at the Juilliard School – Since then, he has produced a massive body of work...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary New Orleans Jazz Trumpeter, Singer and Composer Kermi Ruffins .. Along with gigs and constant activity, he’s promoting 2017’s A Beautiful World with Irvin Mayfield – He spent his childhood in New Orleans influenced by Louis Armstrong and Louis Jordan and would go on to be the co-founder of the Rebirth Brass Band in 1983 and...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Musician, Composer & Painter Gerald Cannon .. Born in Racine, Wisconsin his father Benjamin was a guitarist and bought him his first electric bass at10 – from there, he went to the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse where he met jazz great Milt Hinton and it changed his life .. He’s on the heels of releasing 2017’s CD Combi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with  Veteran Jazz Saxophonist Vincent Herring .. On the heels of a new 2017 CD Hard Times .. life is good .. He grew up in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and started playing saxophone at the age of 11 in school bands – He went on to play in the Military Academy Band at West Point and would work with Cedar Walton for more than 20 years – that led...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series NYC Jazz Saxophonist, Flutist and Composer Steve Slagle.. He was born in Los Angeles, raised in Philadelphia and has called New York City his home for quite some time .. He just released 2017’s Dedication and it’s another gem in his discography .. After going to the Berklee College of Music and getting a master's degree in Music From Manha...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer Barry Altschul .. He is now promoting his latest 2017 CD - The 3Dom Factor Live in Krakow and it’s a great album .. He is a self taught musician who has learned a lot from stellar mentors over the years .. Like Charlie Persip during the 1960s – Then performing with the likes of Paul Bley, Chick Corea amd Dave Holland .. H...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City Jazz Trumpeter & Flugelhornist Alex Abramovitz of His Swing'n Kansas City Jazz Band – This is a band whose primary focus and mission is to preserve the heritage of Kansas City Jazz through performance, education, and entertainment....  Alex grew up in Kansas City and is proud to be a part of a long KC jazz tradition .....

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Violinist and Composer Nora Germain  .. She talked about her latest album Go For It .. And how she spent a lot of time growing up in Madison, Wisconsin – She was introduced to music by her violinist parents and cellist grandmother and went on to become the first ever violinist to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz St...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the Prolific & Veteran LA-based Freelance Jazz Musician Jim Self  .. He talked openly about his latest -  2017’s Floating in Winter  - He was born in Franklin, Pennsylvania and has since moved on to a very fruitful career .. since l974 he has worked for all the major Hollywood studios performing for over 1500 motion pictures and h...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist Arthur White .. This solo artist, composer, and bandleader will be released on the Artists Recording Collective label in 2017 .. Originally from Kansas, he got his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Emporia State University, the Master of Music in Jazz Pedagogy from West Virginia University, and the Doctor of Musical Arts...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Singer and Musician Krystle Warren  ..She is from the jazzy confines of Kansas City, MO .. and these days lives a click outside of Paris in France .. She just released a new album in 2017 called Three The Hard Way .. and it was a new way of assembling an album for her .. and she explains .. Over the years, she has always grown into a...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist, Composer and Educator Greg Osby  .. He’s making his way to Kansas City to play a gig on October 20, 2017 at the new Black Dolphin club .. and he’s no stranger to the Show Me State .. Originally from St. Louis, he has been at this jazz game since the mid-70s and got some good lessons at both Howard University and Berk...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City Jazz Trumpeter Chalis O’Neal .. We caught up with him recently about his life in jazz .. More specifically about a show he performed during the 2017 Charlie Parker Celebration at the Folly Theater with the great Bobby Watson, Sullivan Fortner and Tivon Pennicott .. He talked about his life learning with Bobby and many othe...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer Bernie Dressel  .. He just released 2017s Livin’ and Bernin’ and he’s quite an educated cat .. He has a BM in Performance and Music Education from Eastman School of Music – He is the drum chair for the Grammy nominated Gordon Goodwin Big Phat Band and the Grammy Award winning Brian Setzer Orchestra .. These days he’s busy...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Cuban born Jazz Drummer Ignacio Berroa  .. He was born and raised in Cuba .. and is on the heels of releasing 2017’s Straight Ahead from Havana – His musical education at age 11 at the National School of Arts and really took off in 1980 when he left his country and settled in New York City where he met the great Cuban musician Mario B...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with San Francisco-based Jazz Pianist Clifford Lamb  .. He just released 2017’s Brothers and Sisters – He is originally from New York and discovered jazz at age 16 – His first jazz piano teacher was Wes Montgomery’s pianist, Richard Crabtree – and he would go on to graduate from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and hooked up with the...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist Bill Cunliff ..  He just released 2017’s Bachanalia and it’s a great listen .. He was born and raised Andover, MA then moved on to LA - He began his career as pianist and arranger with the Buddy Rich Big Band and worked with Frank Sinatra, Joe Henderson, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson and James Moody. He has established hi...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz French Horn Player Ken Wiley .. He is promoting his new projects .. Urban Horn & Horn Redux  - He was born in Kansas City and raised in St. Joseph, Missouri .. From there, he went to Los Angeles with limited funds and has made it .. over the years, he’s played at the Playboy Jazz Festival, LA Jazz Society, UCLA Jazz C...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist Jimmy Greene .. He’s on the heels of his 2017 CD Beautiful Life Volum 2 .. a follow up to Volume 1 that is in honor of his daughter Ana that lost her life in the tragic Sandy Hook School Shooting .. He grew up in Hartford, CT and has gone on to perform all over the world .. his Jimmy Greene Quartet performs regularly...

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist and Composer Sullivan Fornter .. He is gearing up for a Kansas City visit as a part of the Charlie Parker Celebration August 17-29, 2017 and he’s ready .. Along with his upcoming visit, he had much to talk about his hometown of New Orleans, his current home of New York City, his life in jazz and much more .. Hosted by Sim...