Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trumpeter Bijon Watson  .. This cat grew up in the Boston area and has lately been getting some recognition from his time in the award winning film La La Land – He’s been at this jazz gig for some time and got his formal training at the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of Southern California .. he was a part of the Disney All-American College Band and has performed with the likes of Michael Buble, Harry Connick, Jr., Diana Krall, Michael Jackson, Arturo Sandoval, John Pizzarelli, Dianne Reeves – and many others and has appeared on American Idol”, “The Tonight Show w/Jay Leno” and “Dancing With The Stars”.. He’s a very busy and talented musician with much to talk about ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trombonist Joe Fiedler  .. He was born and Raised in Pittsburg, PA and has just released a great new album - 2017’s Like, Strange – along with the solo work .. he is the Music Director for Sesame Street and over 7 seasons he has written more than 250 arrangements and crafted more than 5000 underscoring cues – He spent some time at the University of Pennsylvania before hitting the road with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and working in pit orchestras for Broadway shows – He’s also had some quality time with the great Joey Sellers and Eddie Palmieri – along with many others over the years .. Joe is a very flavor rich story ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trumpeter, Composer and Educator Jason Palmer  ..  Originally from High Point, North Carolina, he studied jazz at the New England Conservatory and in 2016 he released his new album Beauty N Numbers  - Over years, he’s gigged with  Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock, Jimmy Smith (the organist), Wynton arsalis Lee Konitz and  Phil Woods – He is an Assistant Professor at the Berklee College of Music and a visiting Assistant Professor at Harvard University .. He was also the leading actor in director Damien Chazelle’s 1st film  Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench – this is the man that made the jazz rich films Whiplash and La La Land .. he’s got stories ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the Hammond B-3 Master & LegendTony Monaco – He began working in Jazz clubs as a teenager in his native Columbus, Ohio inspired by local organ gurus Hank Marr and Don Patterson – He even got instruction and advice from the great Jimmy Smith .. and in addition to the music, he’s been a businessman over the years .. In fact, after graduating from college with a B.S.B.A. from Franklin University in 1989 he became the supervisor of Monaco Concrete .... Over the years, he’s played all over .. and with so many talented cats .. he’s also an instructor and has  produced a series of instructional DVDs titled "Playing Jazz Hammond" – Tony is always dabbling in business, music and staying cool ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Modern Jazz Pianist, Vocalist and Composer Peter Eldgridge  .. He grew up in New Jersey and is on the heels of promoting his latest - 2016’s Dissapearing Day – Peter is a founding member of the internationally acclaimed jazz vocal group, New York Voices and in more than 20 years of doing his jazz thing, he has released four solo albums with a fifth to debut – he’s logged some quality jazz mileage ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist & Composer Marc Copland  ..  He spent his childhood in Philadelphia – he took piano lessons at age seven, stopped at ten when his public school offered the option of saxophone – In the  early 1960s as a saxophonist learning from earning and playing with Michael Brecker – in 1966 he moved to New York City – then went on to the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area as a jazz pianist and back to his home of New York in the mid-1980s – the keys are his home and he’s got so many tales to share ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Multi-Instrumentalist Joe McPhee  .. He was born in Miami, Florida and grew up in Poughkeepsie, New York – His 1st  recording came in 1967, when he appeared on the Clifford Thornton – at the age of 32 he taught himself the saxophone after experiencing the music of John Coltrane – Since the late 1960’s he’s well known for his free jazz work all the way up until the present day ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Organist Pat Bianchi .. He took some time from his busy jazz life to talk about his latest 2018 CD In the Moment .. and reflect on a December 8, 2018 Kansas City Show with Vibes cat Joe Locke and Drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith at the Blue Room .. This Two-time grammy nominated cat comes from a musically gifted family – He started playing organ at the age of 7 after he got one as a Christmas gift. His grandfathers (Pat Bianchi – Saxophone and Richard Zona – Trumpet) along with his father (Nick Bianchi – Drums) all working musicians, provided a great deal of support and guidance early in his musical development that led to him eventually performing with dance bands around his hometown of Rochester, NY. His hero  Joey DeFrancesco was the ultimate reason he would leave the piano behind for the Hammond B3 – and he’s got some great stories ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with San Francisco Based Jazz Pianist & Radio Host at KCSM 91.1 Dick Conte .. He opened up about his latest 2018 CD Blue in Green – A tribute to Bill Evans .. He talked about how he arrived in San Francisco in 1961 from his native Connecticut and has since become an integral part of the Bay Area jazz scene with his encyclopedic knowledge of jazz,  formidable jazz radio presence (from the fabled KJAZ days to present-day KCSM and KKSF),  and his piano performances at clubs, festivals and private venues.  Along with a defined prowess as a musician, he’s a three-time nominee for Gavin Magazine’s Jazz Broadcaster of the Year ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Trumpeter Jay Sollenberger  .. This local jazz stalwart is always busy with Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, The Vine Street Rumble and other outfits .. He grew up in McPherson, Kansas and attended Wichita State University and North Texas State University - While at North Texas in 1970, he played in the internationally famous One O'Clock Lab Band. That led to work with rock group Chase .. but, since high school, Jay had an ambition to play with the Stan Kenton Orchestra.  Eight years later that goal was achieved and in November of 1974 Jay became a member of the Kenton organization playing second trumpet .. That led to him also joining the the Woody Herman Orchestra playing lead trumpet.  He’s got great KC tales, insights and stories ..