Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with British-Nigerian Jazz Singer Ola Onabulé  .. We caught up with him in late April 2020 to talk about this new Coronvirus world without live jazz and the obstacles it has given all of us .. He talked about his latest studio album and how he has built an enviably solid music career through a relentless schedule both in the recording studio and as an international touring performer. He has always been interested in crossing cultural and musical boundaries. His path to today is a fascinating one in this new surreal world of ours .. We get into quite a bit .. Enjoy.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Jazz Guitarist John Scofield .. We caught up with him on June 17, 2020 to talk abut his newest 2020 CD Swallow Tales that celebrates the music of his friend and mentor Steve Swallow made in an afternoon in New York City in March 2019 .. John was a 20-year-old student at Berklee when he first met and played with bassist Swallow, and they have continued ever since, in many different contexts. Born in Ohio and raised in suburban Connecticut, he has gone on to become a jazz legend with great tales .. We talked about this new material and this COVID-19 Jazz World we are all navigating through .. Dig ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC Jazz Pianist & Smalls Club Owner Spike Wilner .. We caught up with him in Mid-June 2020 to talk about the Coronavirus world of no live jazz .. he spoke about his life as a musician and club owner .. it was frank and open .. and he put out a new line of re-issues of live music, including his own, to grace upon the world thirsty for live music .. He was born and lives in  Manhattan – a New Yorker through and through .. He hails from a direct line to a famous rabbinical dynasty founded by his great-great-great grandfather, Moses - who was also a Kabbala master & mystic. In the beginning, he was inspired to play ragtime piano at a young age after seeing a docudrama on the life of Scott Joplin. Jazz is his life .. and he talks about it .. enjoy,

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 …

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist Composer & Educator Arturo O’Farrill .. We talked to him in early June 2020 during the Coronvirus Quarantine from his base in Los Angelese about his latest recording, Four Questions featuring special guest Dr. Cornel West on the title composition “Four Questions” – It was released as the lockdown intensified on April 10, 2020. This album is is first one in his famed recording catalog to exclusively include all originally written compositions. Weaving together empowering messages for the times, Four Questions portrays the pioneering pianist as outspoken as ever on the obligation of artists to speak truth to the great injustices occurring across the globe.  Along with the pandemic and racial unrest in America, it’s the perfect time to have this material out .. he explains .. Enjoy…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Musician Paul Jost .. We caught up with him in early April 2020 During the heavy of the Coronvirus lockdown to talk about the 2020 CD Simple Life and this strange new world of no live jazz .. He has performed worldwide with recent tours in Asia and Europe. After a long career as an instrumentalist and sideman having recorded and performed with Billy Eckstine, Mark Murphy, Dr. John, Bucky Pizzarelli, Joe Farrell, Ron Carter, and so many others .. He’s got great stories .. enjoy ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Bassist & Composer John Patitucci .. On May 21, 2020 during the Coronvirus lockdown, we talked about his latest 2020 CD  Excursions and Adventures and this surreal world we live in .. He was born in Brooklyn, and began playing the electric bass at age ten. He went on to study classical bass at San Francisco State University and Long Beach State University and went on to play with luminaries over his career like Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Stan Getz, Pat Metheny, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redman, and so many others .. he’s got great tales .. Enjoy…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Saxophonist Dick Oatts .. He was born and raised in the state of Iowa and brought up in a musical family. He was introduced to the saxophone by his father Jack Oatts who was a very well respected jazz educator and saxophonist. He would eventually make it to NYC in 1977 and joined the Thad Jones / Mel Lewis Orchestra .. Since that time, he has been with the best in jazz and spent decades thrilling audiences .. We caught up with him on April 19, 2020 during the Coronvirus quarantine to discuss jazz and hope .. Dig…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with with Legendary Jazz Pianist, Composer, Arranger, Writer & Educator Hal Galper .. He found jazz at the Berklee College of Music in 1955 and went on to work with the best .. with cats like Chet Baker and Stan Getz, along with being a member of Phil Woods's quintet for 10 years .. He is on the faculty of Purchase College and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and has taught countless musicians .. We talked to him during early May 2020 during the Coronvirus lockdown and he poured over a very good career in jazz .. Enjoy…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Kansas City Jazz Pianist Tim Whitmer  .. He is the prodigal son of Kansas City Jazz and was fortunate to learn from the likes of Jay McShann, Mary Lou Williams and Count Basie. We caught up with him in early May 2020 during the Coronvirus Quarantine to discuss the silence of jazz and the future .. He is very busy at top jazz venues in Kansas City and hosts a monthly concert series, Spirituality and All That Jazz at Unity Temple on the Plaza .. He is always pleasing the KC crowds and has great stories .. Dig ..