Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Composer, Arranger & Educator Jim McNeely  .. He was born in Chicago, and moved to New York City in 1975. In 1978 he joined the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra and spent six years as a featured soloist with that band .. That was followed by a 4-year tenure as pianist/composer with the Stan Getz Quartet. Then, on to Phil Woods and the jazz world beyond .. along with his music chops, he’s a prolific and widely respected educator .. Please get to know him and dig …