Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed Chicago-based jazz guitarist Bobby Broom.

We caught up with Bobby to discuss his moving 2026 release, Notes of Thanks, a heartfelt tribute to his mentor and jazz giant Sonny Rollins. The album reunites Bobby with longtime trio collaborators Dennis Carroll and Kobie Watkins as they explore and celebrate the rich musical legacy of one of the greatest artists in jazz history.

This conversation carries special significance following the passing of Sonny Rollins on May 25, 2026, at the age of 95. His influence on jazz is immeasurable, but for Bobby Broom it was also deeply personal. Bobby first performed with Rollins while still a student at New York's High School of Music and Art, appearing alongside the legendary saxophonist at Carnegie Hall. By the age of 20, he joined Rollins on the road and spent six formative years touring and learning from one of jazz's most revered masters.

In this interview, we discuss the making of Notes of Thanks, Sonny Rollins' enduring influence, mentorship in jazz, Bobby's remarkable career, the state of America, the evolution of jazz, and what continues to inspire him as an artist.

We first interviewed Bobby back in 2018, making this return conversation a powerful reflection on legacy, gratitude, and the ongoing impact of one of jazz's most important voices.

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Notes of Thanks on Bandcamp

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Brooklyn-based, Grammy-nominated bassist, composer, bandleader, educator, and recording artist Stephan Crump.

Born in Memphis and based in Brooklyn since 1994, Stephan Crump has become one of the most respected and creative voices in contemporary jazz. As a bandleader, composer, and collaborator, he has released ten critically acclaimed albums while also contributing to numerous film scores and multidisciplinary artistic projects.

In this conversation, we discuss his acclaimed 2025 release, Star Mountain, along with his remarkable career in jazz, composition, improvisation, and creative music.

Over the years, Stephan has worked with an extraordinary range of artists, including Patti Austin, Gordon Gano, and members of the acclaimed band Portishead. He is also widely known for his longstanding role in the Vijay Iyer Trio and Sextet, helping shape some of the most influential jazz recordings and performances of the modern era.

Coming from a family rich in artistic tradition—including architects, sculptors, painters, musicians, storytellers, civic leaders, and craftsmen—Stephan brings a unique perspective to creativity, collaboration, and artistic expression.

In this interview, we explore Star Mountain, jazz composition, improvisation, collaboration, film scoring, artistic influences, creative process, and the lessons learned from decades at the forefront of contemporary music.

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Stephan Crump Official Website

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Brooklyn-based jazz saxophonist, woodwind doubler, composer, educator, and performer Luke Norris.

We caught up with Luke to discuss his new 2026 album, Moment from the Past, and his ongoing journey through the diverse worlds of jazz, Broadway, commercial music, composition, and education.

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Berklee College of Music, Luke has built an impressive career as a versatile performer and creative artist. He maintains an active schedule performing across multiple musical genres while also operating a successful private teaching studio.

As a sideman, Luke has shared the stage with celebrated artists including Danilo Pérez, Luciana Souza, and David Binney. He has also performed in the acclaimed Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical, demonstrating his versatility across jazz and theatrical performance.

In this conversation, we explore the creation of Moment from the Past, his development as a composer and improviser, balancing multiple musical careers, jazz education, Broadway experiences, and the creative influences that continue to shape his evolving sound.

Learn more about Luke:

Luke Norris Instagram

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring accomplished jazz bassist, composer, arranger, and educator Matt Dwonszyk.

We caught up with Matt to discuss his outstanding 2026 release, Live at the Side Door, and his remarkable journey through the world of jazz.

Based in Rocky Hill, Connecticut, Matt has become one of the most sought-after bassists in New England. A graduate of the Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz and holder of a master's degree from SUNY Purchase College, he has built a respected career as both a performer and educator. Today, he serves on the faculty of Manchester Community College and Central Connecticut State University while maintaining a busy performance schedule.

Matt began playing electric bass at age eleven before transitioning to upright bass during his time at the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. That decision launched a lifelong dedication to jazz, improvisation, composition, and musical excellence.

In this conversation, we discuss the making of Live at the Side Door, the experience of recording live jazz, his development as a bassist and bandleader, the importance of jazz education, and the lessons learned from years of performing with some of the region's finest musicians.

Get the album:

Live at the Side Door on Bandcamp

Learn more about Matt:

Matt Dwonszyk Official Website

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring veteran Delaware-based jazz pianist, composer, and improviser Ray Jozwiak.

We caught up with Ray to discuss his latest 2025 album, Ray's Music, and his fascinating lifelong relationship with jazz, improvisation, and creative expression.

The album features a collection of instrumental compositions filled with deep improvisation, adventurous musical ideas, and a personal artistic vision that reflects decades of musical exploration. While music was not his sole profession throughout his life, Ray has remained deeply committed to the art form and is now creating some of his most inspired work in retirement.

In this conversation, Ray reflects on his musical journey, his unique approach to creativity, and his willingness to follow his own artistic instincts rather than popular trends. We also discuss his years performing with OHO, the influential Baltimore-area musical collective that played a significant role in shaping his musical identity and continues to inspire his work today.

From jazz improvisation and composition to artistic independence and lifelong creativity, this interview offers a thoughtful look at a musician who has always followed his own path.

Learn more about Ray and his music:

Ray Jozwiak Official Website

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Canadian jazz saxophonist, composer, educator, and researcher John Sweenie.

We caught up with John to discuss his debut album, Mysticism for Intellectuals, and his unique journey through the worlds of jazz performance, composition, education, and scholarly research.

Recorded live over two nights at the legendary The Yardbird Suite, the album features an all-star ensemble and captures the energy, spontaneity, and depth of modern jazz performance. Mysticism for Intellectuals exists at the fascinating intersection of rigorous study and intuitive expression, reflecting John's ongoing effort to reconcile analytical understanding with artistic instinct.

In this conversation, we explore his roots in the bebop tradition, the influence of Black American Improvised Music, the process of internalizing and transmitting improvisational language, and how his work bridges performance, composition, and research. We also discuss the making of the album, live recording, jazz education, creative development, and the future of improvisational music.

John's thoughtful approach offers a compelling perspective on how jazz continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its rich traditions.

Learn more and get the album:

John Sweenie Official Website

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Brooklyn-based jazz pianist, composer, and improviser Yvonne Rogers.

We caught up with Yvonne to discuss her compelling 2026 solo piano album The Button Jar, a deeply personal and imaginative recording inspired by childhood memories, creativity, and artistic exploration. Growing up in rural Maine, Yvonne often found herself immersed in nature and imagination, drawing inspiration from the world around her. One enduring image was the button jar kept by her artist mother—a collection of colorful, ordinary objects that could be transformed into endless creative possibilities.

That powerful metaphor became the foundation for The Button Jar, a solo piano project that blends childlike wonder with sophisticated rhythmic and harmonic language. Produced by acclaimed pianist and composer Kris Davis, the album showcases Yvonne's distinctive voice as a composer and improviser while highlighting her ability to balance playfulness, complexity, and emotional depth.

In this conversation, we explore the making of the album, her musical journey from Maine to Brooklyn, her approach to composition and improvisation, the influence of creativity and memory on her work, and her evolving place within today's contemporary jazz scene.

Get the album and learn more:

The Button Jar on Bandcamp

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring legendary jazz keyboardist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Mark Adams.

We caught up with Mark to discuss his acclaimed 2026 album This Is Neo-Soul, a powerful recording that celebrates the continuing evolution of soul, jazz, funk, and groove-based music while honoring the lasting influence of the late jazz-funk icon Roy Ayers.

Released just over a year after Ayers' passing, This Is Neo-Soul brings together fifteen all-star musicians connected to the working bands of Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith, Luther Vandross, Gloria Gaynor, Gil Scott-Heron, and Chaka Khan. The project is not simply a tribute album—it is a continuation of a musical language that Mark helped shape over more than two decades as the keyboardist, arranger, and musical anchor of Roy Ayers' touring group Ubiquity.

In this conversation, we explore Mark's remarkable career, his years on the road performing thousands of concerts around the world, the creation of This Is Neo-Soul, the enduring power of jazz-funk and neo-soul, and his vision for the future of the music.

This is a fascinating discussion with a musician who has lived at the intersection of jazz, soul, funk, improvisation, and groove for decades.

Get the album and learn more:

Mark Adams - This Is Neo-Soul

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Nashville-based jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Jon von Boehm.

We caught up with this highly sought-after musician to discuss his remarkable new album Reflections, a project that stands as the culmination of decades of musical growth, artistic exploration, and personal storytelling. More than just an album, Reflections serves as a deeply personal statement, blending cinematic narratives, modern fusion, intricate compositions, and a desire to bring people together through the universal language of music.

A masterclass in contemporary jazz fusion, the album showcases Jon's extraordinary bass work, layered arrangements, technical brilliance, and commitment to creating emotionally resonant musical experiences. The project reflects both his exceptional musicianship and his passion for storytelling through sound.

Jon's musical journey spans an impressive 37 years and began in the vibrant atmosphere of church performances, where he learned the importance of collaboration, improvisation, and connecting with audiences. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to music that has taken him from local stages to becoming one of Nashville's most respected and versatile bassists.

In this interview, we discuss Reflections, jazz fusion, composition, bass playing, creativity, storytelling, community building through music, Nashville's music scene, performance, collaboration, and the experiences that shaped his career.

We get into the whole ride. Dig this interview.

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https://jonvonboehm.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with veteran Philadelphia-based jazz bassist, composer, and educator Peter Paulsen.

We caught up with Peter to discuss the new 2026 TurksHeadKnot Quintet album Would'a...Could'a...Should'a... along with his long and fascinating journey through the worlds of jazz performance, composition, and education.

The TurksHeadKnot Quintet has developed a distinctive musical identity by combining the discipline and structural precision of modern classical composition with the freedom, spontaneity, and expressive power of jazz improvisation. Their music creates a unique sonic landscape filled with adventurous interplay, sophisticated arrangements, and compelling original works.

The ensemble’s repertoire includes newly commissioned compositions along with imaginative arrangements drawn from a wide range of musical influences and traditions. Through this innovative approach, Peter Paulsen and the TurksHeadKnot Quintet continue pushing creative boundaries while maintaining deep roots in jazz artistry and collaboration.

In this interview, we discuss jazz bass, music education, composition, improvisation, modern jazz ensembles, classical influences in jazz, Philadelphia’s jazz scene, ensemble leadership, creativity, and the making of Would'a...Could'a...Should'a....

Peter reflects on decades of performing, teaching, composing, and helping shape future generations of musicians while continuing to evolve artistically himself.

We cover his entire ride. Dig this interview.

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https://www.katesmithpromotions.com/artists/peter-paulsen/

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