Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Guitarist Peter Bernstein .. Over the course of our conversation, he talked about his latest 2016 album Let Loose and a career that has given him an opportunity to be around great teachers and musicians .. at the New School he met and learned the legendary guitarist Jim Hall – Then, he was discovered by alto sax legend Lou Donaldson and learned from legendary drummer Jimmy Cobb .. This would lead to tenures and touring with Joshua Redman’s band and Diana Krall’s quartet from .. Born and raised in New York City, he’s been a vital part of the Manhattan scene since 1989 and has quite a few stories ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC Trumpet Player, Singer, Songwriter, Instigator Bria Skonberg  .. She just got signed onto Sony and is moving on to bigger and better things .. and in the June 20016 issue of DownBeat, she was called one of the top 25 rising stars in the world of jazz .. her last album was 2014’s In Your Own and she discussed that and how a girl from Chilliwack, British Columbia would go on to a big career in jazz .. She talked about her formal education at Capilano University in Canada and explained how she has characterized as expanding the vocabulary and traditions of Louis Armstrong and Sidney Bechet with worldly rhythms and modern jazz variance –Bria is very active all over the globe and great things are happening in her world ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trumpeter, Composer, Arranger and Educator Etienne Charles  ..  These days he is heaving into promoting his new 2016 album called the San Jose Suite… He grew up in Trinidad, raised in Florida and these days he resides in the jazz mecca of New York City .. He learned some great lessons at Florida State and the Julliard program, along with teachers like master Frank Foster and Benny Golson .. He’s gone on to release quite a few albums already, play with many luminaries and loves jazz .. he talks about all of this and much more ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist Aaron Diehl .. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio and now lives in New York City .. His latest album is 2015’s Space, Time, Continuum and more music is in the works .. He started to play classical piano at the age of 7 and was swooned by the work of Oscar Peterson and Art Tatum – He would go on to tour with the Wynton Marsalis Septet on a European tour and grew quite a bit .. He has won many awards and played with a lot of luminaries on his jazz journey ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Composer, Bandleader, Organist and Pianist Carla Bley  ..  She went from being a girl in Oakland, California to becoming a jazz legend .. Her latest offering is 2016’s Andando El Tiempo CD .. She started out on the keys at 3 and had a concert at 4 – so, it’s safe to say that jazz was in her veins .. She would move on to NYC and become a cigarette girl at Birdland – that led to her seeing many in the scene at the time .. which was everyone ..from there, she met her first husband Paul Bley and went to LA in the mid 50’s – watching Ornette Coleman on a regular basis – Carla is full of incredible insights, great stories and surprises ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-Based Jazz Journeyman Pianist Kevin Hays .. He talks about his brand new 2016 album North ..  In New York City, Harlem is considered North - So, this album focuses on elements of history, beauty and hope travellng beyond the jazz standards and incorporating his love of classical, blues, soul, folk and rock music into his originals. Joined by his New Day Trio of Rob Jost on double bass and Greg Joseph on the drums, this is an album full of the brilliance Kevin always brings to his recordings ..

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Welcome to a new e dition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Cincinnati Based Jazz Journeyman Pianist Phil DeGreg .. He has been at this jazz gigging for quite some time and he’s a colossal talent .. On August 18, 2016, he swung through a town he lived in for a time to hook up with Old Friends .. right here in Kasnas City .. he was at the Blue Room off 18th and Vine with the KC Quintet featuring the great Stan Kessler and even got a surprise visit from the great saxophonist Tivon Petticoat .. I caught up with him during a break to talk about his appearance during the special Charlie Parker week here in August 2016 ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trombonist, Composer & Teacher Alan Ferber .. He is now promoting his newest 2016 Roots and Transitions – which happens to be very raw and special to him these days .. He just swung through Kansas City in May and continues to stay very active .. Originally from Oakland, he is a fan of big outfits .. whether it’s a nonet or a 17-piece band and that has led to work with the likes of Esperanza Spalding - Dr. Lonnie Smith Octet - Ted Nash - Toshiko Akiyoshi - Lee Konitz and music minds outside of jazz like Peter Gabriel - Paul Simon -  Dr. Dre and many others .. He’s a prolific sort .. with over 150 CD’s to his credit .. He’s got a lot of mileage on his jazz odometer and many tasty insights  ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist Rich Halley.. He talked about his latest record 2016’s The Outlier .. This Oregon-based cat has turning out smart brawny music for a couple of decades - At 15, you discovered jazz, he immediately became intensely interested – Since then, he’s gone on some great adventures .. in 1965 and 1966 he lived & played in Cairo, Egypt  - went to the University of Chicago - moved back West and played in Latin bands .. He was educated as a field biologist and received a Master of Science in Biology from the University of New Mexico doing research on rattlesnakes – This is just a bit about a cat you should get to know ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the Director of the Amazing and Long Standing Jazz Non-Profit Force JazzMobile – Robin Bell-Stevens .. She spoke with Neon Jazz about a monolith in the jazz world ..  It all began in 1964 in NYC with Dr. Billy Taylor and ended up attracting the likes of  John Coltrane, Jimmy Heath, Dizzie Gillespie, Horace Silver, Pharoah Sanders, Albert Ayler, Archie Chep, Sun Ra, Cecil Taylor for an annual summer concert series, educational opportunities and being a general beacon for keeping jazz alive in America .. Robin graciously described the past, present and future of an organization that has given so much to the world ..

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