Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Sax & Composer Seamus Blake  .. Originally born in England and raised in Vancouver, Canada, this New York City cat has had a very long and savory 24 year career .. He is still on the heels of promoting his 2015 CD Superconductor and he’s always a busy cat .. During the same year, he was on a project nominated for a Grammy with the great pianist Gonzalo Bubalcaba .. In 2002, took first place in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition in Washington D. C. As the winner and got to perform with Wayne Shorter and Herbie Hancock .. To date, he’s  released 16 album and has much more to say in the world of jazz ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Vibraphonist Jay Hoggard  .. He was born in Washington DC and grew up in Mt. Vernon, NY  -  age 15, he began playing the vibraphone after having a dream about it .. His latest album in a long string of quality jazz LPs is 2016’s Harlem Heiroglyphics .. His journey into music really took off when he majored in the renown World Music program at Wesleyan University  and for the last 20 years he’s been a Full Professor of Music at his alma mater .. Over the years, he’s toured Europe & the world .. played at Carnegie Hall - traveled to Tanzania and well beyond with his music .. He’s collaborated with masters Lionel Hampton, Milt Jackson, Tito Puente and Bobby Hutcherson and still has plenty of jazz legacy to etch ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Jazz Bassist, Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Producer & Educator John Clayton  .. He grew up in LA and In 1969, at the age of 16, he enrolled in bassist Ray Brown’s jazz class at UCLA – that would prove huge in his leap into jazz .. He spoke to Neon Jazz about his latest 2016 CD Soul Brothers with the Clayton Brothers .. After he graduated from Indiana University’s School of Music with a degree in bass performance in 1975, he toured with the Monty Alexander Trio, then spent time with the Count Basie Orchestra, the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and in the mid-80s set up the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra – and that has been a mainstay in his life .. Soon he will be collaborating with Quincy Jones and has played with the best around over the years .. Like Diana Krall, Paul McCartney and Regina Carter –

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Orchestra Leader Alan Chan .. He grew up in Hong Kong, made his way to New York and now resides in Los Angeles .. Since 2011 he has been the leader of his own Orchestra and his latest album in 2014’s Shrimp tale .. He has spent his life as a resident in various parts of the world to raise awareness of current issues like environmental protection .. He’s got plenty of stories and the music to back it up ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist, Composer and Educator Frank Kimbrough .... He spent his childhood in Roxboro, North Carolina .. then would move on to Chapel Hill and then to Washington DC .. That culminated to his current home of New York City in 1981 when you could afford to live there.. He played and learned from the best like Herbie Nichols – He spoke about his newest 2016 album Solstice – and he’s very happy about it .. He’s a big name in jazz and has been recognized by his the Downbeat Critics Poll each year since 2001 and just keeps on playing all over the place, recording and teaching at Julliard ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City Jazz Drummer Todd Strait  .. He was born and raised in Topeka, Kansas and got into jazz out of sheer curiosity .. Spinning 45’s his dad had lying around .. big band era and the like .. He would go on to New York to learn from the best and play with Marian McPartland .. From there, he came to Kansas City and jumped into a very rich scene and played with the likes of Bob Bowman and Karryn Allison .. Then, he went to Portland and back to Kansas City .. He’s got some great tales ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Musician and Educator Oran Etkin  .. He was born in Israel and moved to Boston at 4 and now lives in New York City – He began piano at the age of 5, violin at 8, saxophone at 9 and clarinet at 13 .. He then started studying with renowned saxophonist George Garzone at age 14 and later with Yusef Lateef – Most recently he released 2015’s What's New? Reimaging Benny Goodman and is continuing to teach a his music education program that was created 11 years ago .. Timbalooloo – He has delivered it to over 2,000 children in New York City – to kids in in 23 countries and has been endorsed by Hollywood heavies like Harvey Keitel, Naomi Watts, & Edie Falco ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer Jerome Jennings  ... He spent his childhood in Cleveland .. From there, he moved on to Columbus then Indianapolis and finally his current home of NYC  - He’s in the midst of promoting his new 2016 release called The Beast ..  and he’s had quite a journey since he graduated from Rutgers in 2004 .. He’s played in every major Jazz club in New York City from The Village Vanguard, Birdland, The BlueNote, to Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola – along with traveling and performing in over 25 countries – He’s played with Sonny Rollins, Hank Jones, Christian McBride, Ray Charles, The Count Basie Orchestra, Wynton Marsalis and so many others .. He’s got great insights and solid stories ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with KC Jazz Saxophonist & Educator Nick Rowland – His is a native of Olathe, Kansas and has been in the Kansas City area since 2005 .. These days he’s a fixture in a swinging KC jazz scene and has recorded with Chris Hazelton's Boogaloo 7, Kerry Strayer, Tim Whitmer, Gerald Spaits, Bob Bowman, Clint Ashlock, Hermon Mehari and at many of the hot spots in KC .. He has plenty to say and you will hear all about his jazz walk ..

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with KC Jazz Percussionist, Woodwind Player and Composer Patrick Alonzo Conway Smith – He has been a fixture on the Kansas City jazz and music scene for quite some time .. These days, one of his main gigs is playing with Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7 at the Green Lady Lounge, along with many other gigs around the Kansas City metro. This cat brings a great deal of world knowledge to his approach on the bandstand and teaching .. He’s got great stories, a lot of jazz mileage and loves Kansas City ..

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