Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Double Bassist David Arend of Alchemy Sound Project .. He opened up about their new 2021 CD Afrika Love, this COVID world we are all surviving, his history in music and the band’s lineage .. Sessions for Afrika Love took place in January 2018 and the album’s title was borrowed from the composition that reflects the band’s keen awareness that this recording arrives in the wake of one of the most tumultuous years in recent U.S. history — a pivotal period in which race relations and social justice protests have taken center stage. David is a freelance artist who moves easily across classical, jazz, electronic, avant garde and singer/songwriter contexts and the band was formed in 2014 two years after the group’s members met in Los Angeles at the Jazz Composers Orchestra Institute .. It’s a great story .. Enjoy ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Bassist, Composer & Bandleader Charnett Moffett .. We talked to him about his momentus 17th CD of his career called New Love .. His career began as a prodigy, appearing in his father Charles Moffett’s band at age 8. Over the years, he has collaborated as a “bassist to the stars” with starts like Wynton Marsalis, Art Blakey, Ornette Coleman, McCoy Tyner, Tony Williams, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Dianne Reeves, Arturo Sandoval, Harry Connick, Jr., David Sanborn, Bette Midler. He has appeared on more than 200 albums and his wisdom is refreshing .. Enjoy…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with World Renowned Jazz Percussionist Bill Summers .. We caught up with him on June 21, 2021 to talk about Make Music Day in Dunbar Park Part of International Voyage of the Drum World Jazz Fest as a part of the UNESCO Creative City of Music here in Kansas City .. This veteran musician has spent more than 30 years tracing the rhythmic links between Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. In the 1970s, he was experimenting with ancient flutes when Herbie Hancock hired him for his legendary fusion group, the Headhunters .. He’s a fighter for what is right and loves what he does .. Enjoy the story ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Blues Legend and Hall of Famer Bobby Rush .. We caught up with him on June 22, 2021 – the day his new book I Ain’t Studdin’ Ya is out and available for the public ..  He traces the evolution of blues throughout his life and illustrious career that took him over 50 years to become an overnight sensation. He spent decades establishing himself as a juke joint hero with a unique funky blues sound and a captivating stage presence before even landing his first hit. Now at age 87, he spends around 200 days on the road each year, headlining music festivals, clubs, and theaters around the world. His tale is a rich one .. Enjoy ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Muti-Instrumentalist, Composer & Producer Kurt Rosenwinkel .. We caught up with him in mid-June 2021 as the world starts to wake up about a new project that is a a remixed, remastered and re-released double vinyl edition of his groundbreaking album “Heartcore” that was originally released on Verve Records in 2003 .. This album has gained cult status as a landmark album in modern music and lauded by listeners and musicians alike for its forward-thinking vision and conception and seamless integration of electronic elements with acoustic jazz interplay. We had a good conversation with this modern jazz star about the state of the world moving forward, COVID, his life in music and so much more .. Enjoy ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Program Director & Host Alisa Clancy of A Morning Cup of Jazz on KCSM Radio in San Francisco .. After 35 years at the station, she is going to be retiring from the station on July 2, 2021 .. I personally have been a big fan of her show, wit, depth and programming .. I had to catch up with her to talk about her life in jazz .. She first got interested in jazz while in Jr. High band playing the drums and piano.. That led to WKYU in Bowling Green Kentucky during undergrad school and a long road of jazz good at KCSM .. Dig the story ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with South African Jazz Musician Nduduzo Makhathini .. We had a spirited talk from his base in South Africa about his latest 2020 CD Modes Of Communication: Letters From The Underworlds and so much more .. He grew up in the lush and rugged hillscapes of South Africa and the church played a big role in his musical understanding. He was also quite swayed by the music of John Coltrane’s classic quartet with McCoy Tyner .. Along with being a skilled musician, he’s also an educator and researcher as the head of the music department at Fort Hare University in the Eastern Cape. His wisdom, enthusiasm and drive is impressive and he’s got a huge future ahead .. Enjoy ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Los Angeles-based Jazz & Classical Composer, Conductor & Recording Artist Vince Mendoza .. We primarily caught up with him to discuss his latest 2021 CD – Freedom Over Everything with the Czech National Symphony Orchestra .. But, we also discussed his life in music at the forefront of the jazz and contemporary music scene for the last 30 years. Over the years, he has appeared on many critically acclaimed projects that include dozens of albums with song writing legends and vocalists such as Björk, Gregory Porter, Chaka Khan, Elvis Costello, Al Jarreau, Robert Glasper, Bobby McFerrin, Diana Krall, Sting and Joni Mitchell and he has 6 Grammy awards and 34 nominations to compliment his work .. Enjoy this story…

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Emmy Award Winning Percussionist Emedin Rivera .. We caught up with him from his base in the Bronx to talk about his impressive new 2021 CD Tropical Turbulence dedicated to his late, great friend Dave Valentin .. This cat is a highly respected and accomplished artist in a vast array of con-temporary music genres using his unique rhythmic percussion on stage with legends like Stevie Wonder, Harry Belafonte, Sting, Gregory Hines and more .. He loves music and listening to it has given him life during the pandemic .. We cover quite a bit of ground .. Enjoy ..

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with New York Visual Artist & Jazz Lover Jim Watt .. His new project called 1000 Watts aims to raise $100K through sale of 1000 artworks going on sale beginning on May 14th at Jim Kempner Fine Arts in Chelsea Art created as musicians improvise, captured on film by legendary photographer/filmmaker Danny Clinch - https://www.jimkempnerfineart.com/1000watts - Jim is creating this series of 1,000 ink washes using a traditional Japanese ink called sumi along with water. He paints as a jazz ensemble improvises in real time. It’s a fascinating story of creativity meets survival for the overall jazz good .. Enjoy ..