Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Grammy Award Winning Jazz Composer & Orchestra Leader Maria Schneider on August 13, 2020 during the surreal COVID-19 world to talk about this new world of no live jazz, what she has bee doing lately, her latest 2020 CD Data Lords  - A new double-album inspired by conflicting relationships between the digital and natural worlds featuring her acclaimed orchestra of 18 world-class musicians .. This native of Windom, Minnesota has gone on to be a favorite of both and peers alike .. Enjoy…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with German Jazz Pianist & Singer Jacky Terrasson .. We caught up with him in late April 2020 during the Coronvirus lockdown to talk about his latest 2019 CD 53 .. He has been hailed as one of the bright young lions on the traditional jazz scene since he captured everyone’s attention when he won the Thelonious Monk Competition in 1993. Born in Berlin to a French mother and an American father, his distinctive piano style reflects his old and new influences .. He studied jazz at the Berklee College of Music in Boston with many other new traditionalists as classmates like Danilo Perez. 

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Pianist & Composer Roger Kellaway .. We caught up with him in early May 2020 during the heat of the Coronvirus Lockdown to talk with this Grammy Award winner and Academy Award nominated performed about his latest 2019 CD The Many Opens Minds of Roger Kellaway and his long, fruitful career in music .. He has recorded more than two hundred and fifty albums and worked with everyone from Ellington to Elvis, Joni Mitchell to Barbra Streisand, and Quincy Jones to Yo-Yo Ma. He’s got great tales to tell .. Enjoy…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist Teodross Avery…..Talk about your latest 2019 CD After the Rain – Coltrane … He’s a very powerful live performer .. He grew up in Oakland and his parents exposed him to a wide range of music including traditional Eastern and Western African music, Soul, Rock, and Jazz. He started out on the guitar, but was jolted the sound of John Coltrane’s ‘Giant Steps’ and switched to the saxophone at thirteen. As a testament to his young promise, the great Wynton Marsalis purchased a saxophone for him. At 17, Teodross eventually won a full music scholarship to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music .. He has gone on to quite a career .. Enjoy…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Oakland-based Jazz Singer Kenny Washington .. We talked to him on during the Coronvarius Quarantine of no live jazz about his brand new CD What’s The Hurry .. That’s the soundtrack for how things are going here in the world of jazz lately .. He was born and raised in New Orleans and grew up singing gospel in the church where his parents were choir members and playing saxophone in school bands .. He has gone on to thrill audiences across the globe .. He opened up about this new world of ours, another wonderful new album .. and he’s got some great insights and stories .. Dig ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist & Composer Ben Rosenblum .. This New York City native talked about his latest 2020 CD with his Trio presenting the music of Gregg Hill .. His is an award winning musician & a graduate of the Columbia-Juilliard program today giving the world his original music combines his extensive knowledge of the history of jazz with a free-wheeling, modern melodic sensibility and powerful narrative approach to the piano. He’s got great stories .. Get to know him ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Percussionist, Vibraphonist & Bandleader Mike Dillon .. He is back living in Kansas City and talked about his latest 2020 CD Rosewood…This release signifies transition and transformation in his life written and recorded during a period of profound change. Dillon found himself relocating from his fourteen year base in New Orleans to his current residence in Kansas City .. Over the years, he has been a vital part of many bands and a key sideman to artists like Rickie Lee Jones, Les Claypool and Ani DiFranco .. He’s a prolific cat that has grand tales .. Get to know him…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Blues Hall of Fame Singer Bettye LaVette  .. She opened up about her new 2020 CD Blackbirds that will be out on August 28, 2020 .. The album coming out during the COVID-19 pandemic is a tribute to iconic black women in music .. This Blues Hall of Famer is a native of Detroit and at 16 she released her first recording in 1962  on Atlantic Records .. That led to a storied and glorified career that has included 5 Grammy nominations and so many fans that adore her music .. Get to know her…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Singer & Songwriter Raul Midón .. We caught up with him in his home studio in Maryland on May 1, 2020 to talk about this new COVID-19 world no live jazz and it was a frank, revealing, raw and honest look at the frustration and uncertainty the music world faces .. I debated on whether to release this or not, but it’s a necessary voice in a journey here at Neon Jazz to capture all the points of view of a pandemic world and how that has both lifted and ravaged the jazz world at large .. Have a listen ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Philadelphia-based Jazz Pianist Orrin Evans of the Jazz Super Group The Bad Plus .. We caught up with him on May 1, 2020 about this new COVID-19 lockdown world of of no live music.. How is started, what has been happening and the future .. The Bad Plus is an American jazz trio from Minneapolis, Minnesota and they play to huge crowds all over the world .. and now it’s silent .. but, it will begin anew and we talk with Orrin about all of this .. Enjoy ..