Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we catch up with singer, stage and film actor, tap dancer, and recording artist Elijah Rock, a dynamic creative force based in Boise, Idaho, to talk about his new 2025 album Memories Unleashed, live performances, his wide-ranging career, and what’s coming next.

As an independent jazz and blues recording artist, Elijah has long made it his mission to keep the proud traditions of The Great American Songbook not just alive—but vibrant and vital for modern audiences. His commitment to classic music has earned praise from the legendary Tony Bennett, who once told him, “Keep on singing and keep this beautiful music alive!”

Drawing inspiration from jazz, classical music, and the golden era of American song, Elijah showcases exceptional vocal artistry while honoring the elegance, swing, and emotional depth of timeless standards. We dig into his musical influences, performance life, and the path he’s carving as a modern ambassador of classic American music.

🎶 Everything Elijah Rock:
https://www.elijahrock.com/

🎧 Subscribe to Neon Jazz for in-depth conversations with today’s leading jazz artists, vocalists, and creative storytellers.

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we catch up with Pennsylvania-based acclaimed jazz guitarist Jon Fadem to talk about his new 2025 album Thankful—his long-awaited solo debut and a deeply personal instrumental project.

Created during the pandemic, Thankful came together after Jon combed through a collection of old phones, rediscovering musical ideas he’d been shaping for years. Those fragments became a cohesive, all-original album of guitar-forward instrumental music, telling a personal life story without words.

The songs move freely across genres, blending jazz, rock, soul, and groove, with echoes of Jeff Beck, Stevie Wonder, George Benson, Jerry Garcia, Jimi Hendrix, and Steely Dan. It’s a record that reflects a veteran musician who has spent years honing his craft, now stepping forward with a clear, confident artistic voice. 

We dig into the making of Thankful, Jon’s influences, his career journey, and what it means to finally release a solo statement that feels both reflective and forward-looking.

🎶 Get the album Thankful:
https://jon-fadem.bandcamp.com/

🎧 Subscribe to Neon Jazz for in-depth conversations with today’s leading jazz artists and creative musicians.

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series 🎷 On this episode, we welcome back Chicago jazz vocalist Alyssa Allgood to talk in depth about her 2026 EP, Leap. This modern jazz project was inspired by Allgood’s desire to take greater artistic and entrepreneurial risks as an independent artist. Leap invites listeners to move forward—whether through a bold leap, a small step, or a joyful dance into who they truly are.

Alyssa Allgood has been praised by DownBeat Magazine for her “boldness, swagger and surefooted musicianship” and by New York City Jazz Record for her “force, clarity and jazz integrity.” Those qualities shine throughout Leap, which features three original compositions alongside three fresh arrangements of jazz standards.

The EP highlights Allgood’s refined voice as a modern songwriter and arranger, emphasizing vulnerable expression, dynamic musical interaction, and fearless improvisation. She is joined by close collaborators from Chicago’s vibrant jazz scene:

Victor Garcia – trumpet & flugelhorn

Julius Tucker – piano

Ethan Philion – bass

Jon Deitemyer – drums

This is a rich conversation about modern jazz vocals, creativity, independence, and artistic courage.

🎶 Get the album Leap
https://www.wildmercuryrhythm.com/p/alyssa-allgood-leap

🎧 Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews with today’s leading jazz musicians, vocalists, and composers. 

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we catch up with acclaimed Vegas-based jazz singer Andy James to talk about her 2025 album Architect of My Blues, released in November 2025, along with live gigs, an upcoming April 2026 performance, and much more.

On this ninth studio album, Andy drew deep inspiration from Ray Charles, whose groundbreaking 1962 album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music reshaped American music by blending soul, R&B, jazz, and country. That spirit guided Andy’s songwriting sessions with her all-star jazz band, ultimately blossoming into an intimate, high-spirited, mood-swinging journey recorded in Nashville, in collaboration with top Music City songwriters.

The album features a stunning lineup of legendary musicians including Jon Cowherd (piano), John Patitucci (bass), Nicolas Payton (trumpet), Michael Dease (trombone), Joel Frahm (saxophone), Bob Sheppard (saxophone), and many more.

We dive into the making of Architect of My Blues, the Ray Charles connection, the Nashville experience, and how Andy continues to evolve as a jazz vocalist with deep roots and modern fire.

🎶 Get the album Architect of My Blues:
https://andyjamesjazz.bandcamp.com/album/the-architect-of-my-blues

🎧 Subscribe to Neon Jazz for in-depth conversations with today’s leading jazz artists. 

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we sit down with New Zealand-born, Sydney-based jazz singer, songwriter, and pianist Bonnie J. Jensen to talk about her new 2025 album Rise and a wide-ranging international music career.

Rise is a one-hour journey of accessible, contemporary jazz, bridging the worlds of soul, Latin, pop, and straight-ahead jazz, while drawing inspiration from the songbooks of Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Sting, Michael Franks, and more. The album is steeped in tradition yet unafraid to take creative detours, showcasing Bonnie’s refined musical voice and global perspective.

Bonnie’s artistry reflects a life lived internationally. Over her career, she has performed extensively throughout Europe, the United States (including New York), and Asia, with repeated tours of Japan, earning praise from critics, jazz devotees, and even non-jazz audiences along the way.

We dig into the making of Rise, her evolution as an artist, and what it means to create modern jazz that connects across borders and genres.

🎶 Get the album Rise:
https://bonniejjensen.com/music/discography/

🎧 Subscribe to Neon Jazz for in-depth conversations with today’s leading jazz artists from around the world.

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series 🎷 On this episode, we talk with Scotland-based jazz composer, songwriter, and pianist Andy Alston. We caught up with this veteran musician to discuss his new 2025 album, Dreamtime, the creative process behind his jazz compositions, and a career that has produced a large and growing body of jazz-influenced music.

Andy Alston’s work has received international radio airplay across the UK, Europe, the United States, Australia, and online jazz stations worldwide. His music features collaborations with leading Scottish jazz musicians, vocalists, and well-known artists, blending modern jazz sensibilities with strong compositional storytelling.

This is a deep dive into jazz creation, collaboration, and longevity from an artist with a compelling global presence.

🎶 Listen to Dreamtime
https://music.apple.com/us/album/dreamtime/1817416022

🎧 Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews featuring jazz musicians, composers, vocalists, and creative artists from around the world. 

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series, featuring Vienna-based jazz vocalist Maja Jaku and producer/drummer Adrian Varady. We caught up with this creative duo in Vienna to talk about their new 2025 album Blessed & Bewitched, how they first connected, their collaborative process, creative dreams, and much more.

This new release is a deeply personal reflection of Maja Jaku’s artistic spirit. Raised in a jazz-rich environment by her trumpet-playing father, and later shaped through her studies at the Graz Conservatory, Maja worked closely with legendary mentors including Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Andy Bey, and Jay Clayton. Her voice and vision have evolved through a lifelong devotion to the jazz legacy continuum.

Joined by a stellar group of musicians, Blessed & Bewitched shines with nuance, swing, and emotional depth. In this conversation, both Maja and Adrian dive into the many facets of creating the album, their musical histories, and the shared vision that brought this project to life.

🎧 Get the album – Blessed & Bewitched
👉 https://originarts.com/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=82934

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Bay Area jazz keyboardist, composer, and producer Greg Rahn about his vibrant new 2026 CD Side Hustle and a lifelong ride through the world of music.

This dynamic project features a seasoned core of veteran musicians, including former Steely Dan touring guitarist Drew Zingg, and explores a wide musical spectrum—from New Orleans funk and Louisiana zydeco to fiery jazz fusion, Cuban rhythms, infectious shuffle blues, and beyond. Throughout the album, Greg seamlessly moves between electric piano, organ, synthesizer, and keytar, showcasing his versatility and deep musical roots.

Alongside his work as a performing artist, Greg spent 25 years producing audio for the video game industry, all while maintaining a steady schedule of live gigs as his own “side hustle.” In this wide-ranging conversation, we dive into the creative process behind Side Hustle, his dual career path, collaborations, influences, and what it takes to sustain a life in modern jazz.

Enjoy this interview.

Get the album:
https://gregrahn.bandcamp.com/album/side-hustle

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring Chicago-based jazz vocalist & theater artist Tatum Langley. 🎶

In this episode, we dive into her new 2025 album Tatum’s Swinging Session and her dream-fueled journey as an emerging big band singer. Tatum is an amalgamation of musical influences, specializing in jazz and musical theatre, and has captivated audiences everywhere—from cozy jazz clubs and intimate cabaret rooms to legendary venues like The London Palladium, Sydney Opera House, and Royal Albert Hall.

She regularly records and tours internationally with the viral musical sensation Postmodern Jukebox, while also building an impressive résumé in professional regional theatre, spanning Shakespeare, Golden Age musicals, contemporary works, and large-scale original theme park productions.

It’s quite a story—full of swing, stage lights, and global momentum. Let’s get into it.

🎧 Get the album – Tatum’s Swinging Session
👉 https://shoutsection.com/tatum-s-swingin-session-digital-version-pre-sale

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Grammy-nominated harpist, composer, innovator, educator, and coach Deborah Henson-Conant—a visionary artist who has redefined the harp for modern audiences.

With decades of international acclaim, Deborah has built an extraordinary career as a live performer, composer, and musical pioneer, including the invention of her own body harp, expanding the expressive and physical possibilities of the instrument. She has educated and coached hundreds of musicians across the United States and abroad, influencing generations of artists.

We dive into her powerful collaboration with Ukrainian bandura virtuoso Iryna Lytvynenko, which led to the world premiere of Deborah’s Bandura Concerto in Kyiv, Ukraine, broadcast on Ukrainian national television on November 19, 2025. This historic performance symbolized resilience, unity, and the life-affirming force of music amid war, made possible through Deborah’s Legacy Bridge Project, which connects composers with sponsors to remove financial barriers to new works.

For over three decades, Deborah has mesmerized audiences throughout the US and Europe. In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore her career, creative philosophy, this landmark project, and what it means to make meaningful art in the modern world. Enjoy this interview.

More Deborah:
https://www.hipharp.com/

For More Neon Jazz:

The Home of Neon Jazz:http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.