Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist, Composer & Educator Donald Vega  .. We spoke with him on July 24, 2020 during the heat of the COVID-19 lockdown about quite a bit .. like his latest 2020 CD You Can See .. The Best of…  He was trained classically in piano in his native Nicaragua. He emigrated to the United States at age 14 and found a musical home with the Colburn School of Performing Arts and that led to an opportunity to study with piano great Kenny Barron. He performs internationally as the pianist for world renowned bassist Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio. Enjoy his story ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Los Angeles-based Jazz Pianist & Composer Jordan Seigel  .. We talked with him on July 20, 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown about his latest 2020 CD Beyond Images .. This musician possesses an expressive, original voice in a stunning variety of media. Whether scoring projects for film and television or performing and improvising before rapt audiences on stages around the world, he approaches every pursuit with the same mission in mind: to create music that truly moves people. Enjoy his story ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer, Arranger, Composer & Educator Jeff Hamilton .. We caught up with him on July 8, 2020 during the COVID-19 swirl to talk about his latest 2020 CD with your trio – Catch Me If You Can… He has spent quite a while in the jazz world recording or performing with his trio, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, the Clayton Brothers or co-leading the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. He also teaches, arranges and composes. Get to know him and dig this interview.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist & Composer Greg Ward .. We talked to him on June 13, 2020 during the COVID-19 world of no live jazz about a great many things .. He was born in Peoria, Illinois and is now based in Chicago. He has had the opportunity to perform and record with a varied group of artists like Prefuse 73, Lupe Fiasco, Tortoise, William Parker, Andrew D'Angelo, and Mike Reed over the years. Get to know him and dig this interview.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer Greg Fox .. We talked with him on June 7, 2020 about his latest 2020 CD Contact amidst the COVID-19 world lockdown. He remains a student himself, open-minded, honest, and willing. He has worked with with the best in jazz and has a great story .. So please get to know him and dig this interview.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer, Composer and Educator Steve Fidyk ... We caught up with him in early 2020 to talk his latest 2020 CD Battle Lines during this new COVID-19 world of no live jazz .. He is well-known for his versatility and musical approach earning national and international acclaim as an artist, author, composer and columnist. Enjoy…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer & Composer Jake Reed .. We caught up with him on June 2, 2020 to talk about his latest 2020 CD Reed Between the Lines – an album that features a wishlist of collaborators from the L.A. studio scene, jazz greats and his bandmates in the acclaimed trioKAIT (Kait Dunton, Cooper Appelt) among others. Like many of his fellow Angelenos, Jake Reed has played many different roles since arriving in L.A. a dozen years ago. In Reed’s case, however, those roles have been performed not on the screen but in the clubs, stages and recording studios where he’s been an in-demand drummer almost since his arrival in the city. Enjoy….

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City Jazz Flautist, Band Director, Vocalist & Educator Amber Underwood .. We talked to her on November 20, 2020 about quite a bit during this COVID-19 world we live in. We focused on the October 28th release of her new CD This is Me .. The album is a touch of her feelings, life journeys and an inside look into the person beyond the stage. This Kansas City native has been a presence in the local jazz scene making a place and a voice for her instrument. She has been entertaining and performing music since the tender age of 8. She started out on the piano and then began playing classical flute. Enjoy ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Singer Joanna Berkebile  .. We spoke with her about her newest 2020 Love Me or Leave Me – it was Self-Released and out on November 2, 2020 .. She is always sought out for her compelling vocals and personable stage presence in the jazz clubs - Since arriving on the jazz scene, she has always sought out the fresh and the genuine. Plenty of sassy and always classy, her musical conversations unfailingly draw one in with a natural charm to either laugh or cry. She has a very deep story .. Enjoy….

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Vibraphonist & Composer Joel Ross .. We caught up with him at the end of October to talk about his latest 2020 CD Who Are you Along with his twin brother, he started to play drums at the age of 3 .. At the age of ten he switched to playing the xylophone in the school band; in high school he learned percussion, vibraphone and piano. That has led to a storied career playing with the likes of Herbie Hancock , Wynton Marsalis , Christian McBride and so many others ..  He’s got a great story .. Enjoy ..