Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Vocalist, Pianist & Composer Astghik Martirosyan .. We caught up with her to discuss her debut album .. the 2023 CD Distance .. It stands as an artistic statement born of intense reflection on the relationship between present and past, self and nation, one’s inner emotional life and the call of homeland. She wrote the music in 2020 while experiencing a stark duality: tremendous artistic growth and fulfillment at New England Conservatory in Boston, gut-wrenching news from an Armenia embroiled in a 44-day war  .. She is always drawing from a variety of sonic worlds — ranging from classical piano, traditional Armenian folk music, to jazz and contemporary improvisation. We cover her life in music and what the future may hold .. Enjoy ..  

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Award-Winning Chicago-based Jazz Bassist, Composer & Bandleader Ethan Philion .. We caught up with him about his new 2023 CD Gnosis. He is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory and DePaul University who has been praised by the Washington Post for his "well honed chops and astounding musicality” and his debut album, Meditations on Mingus, was commended as “a labor of conspicuous love and respect for a musical titan” by Downbeat Magazine. He has performed with an extensive list of jazz artists including Rufus Reid, Greg Ward, Dana Hall, and many others. He's got quite a story. Enjoy...  

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran & Legendary Los Angeles Jazz Singer & Pianist Betty Bryant .. We caught up with this living legend about her new 2024 CD Lotta Livin' ..She is originally a native of Kansas City who has always brought a solid piano technique, a light, swinging touch and a skilled vocal approach to her music.. Dubbed “Cool Miss B” by her fellow musicians, she was mentored by the great Jay McShann. She moved to the west coast in 1955, where she immediately got an engagement at Beverly Hill’s famed “Ye Little Club”. In 1987 “Betty Bryant Day” was declared in Kansas City, and she was awarded the keys to the city. We cover her storied career and much more .. Enjoy .. 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Italy-born, Long Island-based Saxophonist & Arranger Ada Rovatti .. We caught up with her to discuss her new 2024 CD The Hidden World of Piloo that is her seventh album full of original songs with wide-ranging thematic surprises around every corner. She started playing saxophone in high school after years of classical piano training. After winning a scholarship from Berklee College of Music in Italy, she divided herself between Boston where she was regular working in Big Band with guest artists like Phil Woods and Lee Konitz. After spending one year in Paris touring Europe and Africa, she moved in New York City and has never looked back. We get into all of this and much more ..Dig this interview.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trumpeter, Composer & Educator Jun Iida .. We caught up with him to talk about his debut release .. the 2024 CD Evergreen .. He has established himself as a highly sought after musician performing extensively throughout the U.S. at notable jazz clubs, theaters, and festivals with his sextet and as a sideman. Originally from St. Louis, MO, he has lived in Seattle, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, New York City and Los Angeles .. We cover a great deal in this interview .. Enjoy.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Drummer Nasheet Waits .. We caught up with him to discuss his inclusion in a set of shows for the Max Roach Centennial Celebrations via New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on January 26, 2024 for Max’s Freedom Now Suite .. He will be joined by a stellar line up of talent .. like vocalist Cassandra Wilson, poets Sonia Sanchez & Saul Williams, along with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, bassist Eric Revis & pianist Nduduzo Makhathini  .. Through his late father percussionist Freddie Waits, Nasheet had a wonderful relationship with Max Roach .. we get into this show, his his storied history, the state of jazz today and so much more .. Enjoy .. 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series Celebrated Jazz Recording Artist, Vocalist & Best Selling Author Judy Whitmore .. We caught up with her about her new 2024 CD Come Fly With Me … She is a true modern-day Renaissance woman, heeds the call of the stage, the sky, and beyond. Her life as a vocal artist and writer has taken off. This best-selling author, vocalist, theater producer and pilot, who also holds a Master’s Degree in clinical psychology, approaches all her endeavors with style and spirit. We cover her towering life via geography and timeline up into these current post-COVID times .. Enjoy this captivating tale ..  

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer Reggie Quinerly on the 2024 Album The Thousandth Scholar .. His straight-ahead jazz blend gets an Afro-Caribbean spin on this new album out on January 19, 2024 on his own Redefinition Music. On this fifth album as a leader, he has an ace quartet including pianist Manuel Valera, bassist Matt Brewer, and percussionist Samuel Torres .. We cover this new material, the last few years or so and the future ahead .. Enjoy ..  

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Brazilian-born, Chicago-based Jazz Bassist, Composer & Arranger Marcel Bonfim .. We got into his debut .. and new 2023 CD Farewell/Despedida .. As a native of Brazil, he began playing professionally in his hometown of São Paulo a decade and a half ago, before immigrating to the United States in 2015 when he decided to make Chicago his new home. This debut album features six new compositions and sheds light on being an immigrant .. He has quit a journey so far .. Enjoy ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Jazz Pianist Larry Vuckovich .. This passionate and evolved artist was born in Montenegro on December 8, 1936 –in the former Yugoslavia. He lived through, witnessed and experienced firsthand hardships and dangers of World War II. In 1951, when he was 14, his family was granted political asylum in the United States, arriving in San Francisco at the height of a flourishing jazz scene. This would captivate his mind and future .. That would lead to a storied career with six decades of performing with numerous jazz Masters in various eras with the likes of Cab Calloway, Red Norvo, Dexter Gordon, Jon Hendricks, Mel Torme, Philly Joe Jones, Joe Williams, Bobby Hutcherson, Charlie Haden, Bobby McFerrin, Tom Harrell, Charles McPherson + many more. In 2019 Larry Vuckovich received Lifetime Achievement Award from his former country of Yugoslavia and is one of the most well respected in the business. He still going strong playing concerts, releasing recordings, touring and playing at major festivals. At 87 years young, he still gigs and happily lives in Northern California with his wife, Sanna Craig-Vuckovich, who is a vocalist-percussionist, journalist and media relations professional. We cover some good, deep ground .. Dig it, my friends. 

Everything Larry - https://larryvuckovich.com/ 

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