Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with acclaimed jazz pianist and vocalist Rich Siegel about his new 2025 album It’s Always Been You and a full, wide-ranging life in music. On this release, Rich is joined by bassist Cameron Brown and drummer Tony Jefferson, delivering a program that highlights his expressive singing, piano playing, and songwriting.

A longtime fixture in New York-area clubs, Rich has built a versatile career performing with his trio, accompanying numerous vocalists, leading orchestras at prestigious ballroom dances, and even appearing as a musician-actor in theatrical productions. It’s Always Been You reflects that depth—balancing swing, lyricism, and seasoned musical storytelling.

In this conversation, we dig into the making of the album, his approach to songwriting, and the experiences that shaped his sound over decades on the bandstand.

🎹 Dig this interview.

👉 Get the album It’s Always Been You:
https://richsiegel.bandcamp.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Italian-born, London-based jazz pianist Bruno D’Ambra about his new 2025 single Ain’t Nobody and an unconventional, deeply personal journey through jazz. Bruno’s recent work breaks from traditional jazz production methods, created instead through his innovative project My Session Band—a remote recording hub designed to connect musicians and spark new global collaborations.

Bruno’s last three singles were crafted using this remote model, highlighting his vision of making his band accessible to artists seeking fresh musical partnerships. Born in Naples, Italy, and raised far from conservatories and concert halls, Bruno developed an intense ear for sound at a young age. In a small apartment with a battered upright piano, music became his refuge—helping him navigate childhood loss and the turbulence of adolescence.

In this conversation, we explore his creative process, the philosophy behind My Session Band, the evolution of Ain’t Nobody, and how technology is reshaping the future of jazz collaboration.

🎹 Dig into this story and the sound.

👉 Get Bruno D’Ambra’s music & more:
https://brunodambramusic.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Michigan-based jazz trumpeter and educator Anthony Stanco about his new 2025 album In the Groove and a jazz life that began in Detroit. A deeply swinging and soulful release, In the Groove is packed with deep-pocket grooves and the buoyant spirit of hard bop, reflecting both tradition and modern energy.

A Southeast Michigan native, Anthony draws heavily from Detroit’s rich musical heritage. Under the mentorship of influential figures like Marcus Belgrave and Rodney Whitaker, he developed a strong musical foundation and a distinctive trumpet voice rooted in swing, clarity, and groove.

Alongside his performing and recording career, Anthony is an assistant professor at Michigan State University, where he teaches and mentors the next generation of jazz musicians. In this conversation, we explore his journey, the making of In the Groove, the Detroit jazz lineage, and his passion for education.

🎧 Dig this story and the groove-filled conversation.

👉 Get the album In the Groove:
https://originarts.com/oa2/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=22242

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Miami-based jazz pianist Martin Bejerano about The Purple Project and more, taking a deep dive into his 2025 release The Purple Project: A Reimagining of the Work of Prince and his vibrant life in live music.

Martin has seen Prince many times in concert and was deeply influenced by the way Prince often performed his own songs in radically different ways from night to night. A lifelong lover and aficionado of jazz—shaped in part by his father, a jazz pianist—Prince embodied relentless creativity and innovation. These jazz arrangements were inspired by that same spirit of fearless reinvention.

The Purple Project reimagines Prince’s music through a jazz lens while honoring the essence of his songwriting, groove, and improvisational daring. In this conversation, we explore the album’s origins, the challenges of interpretation, and how Prince’s creative philosophy aligns naturally with jazz.

Over the course of his career, Martin Bejerano has performed with an extraordinary list of jazz luminaries, including Russell Malone, Roy Haynes, the Christian McBride Band, Dave Holland, Pat Metheny, and Ron Carter. We cover this Prince homage, his journey as an artist, and much more.

🎧 Enjoy this deep and soulful conversation.

👉 Get the album and learn more:
https://www.martinbejerano.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with NYC-based jazz bassist and composer Jakob Dreyer about his 2025 album Roots and Things, a vibrant and forward-looking statement from one of modern jazz’s most versatile voices.

German-born and deeply rooted in the New York jazz scene, Jakob assembled a formidable ensemble for this project, featuring vibraphone sensation Sasha Berliner, acclaimed tenor saxophonist Tivon Pennicott, and in-demand drummer Kenn Salters. Together, they created a session full of energy, clarity, and contemporary swing.

Jakob’s third release for the Barcelona-based Fresh Sound New Talent label, Roots and Things delivers 15 swinging original compositions that reflect both tradition and the modern world we’re navigating. In this conversation, we explore the album’s concept, the creative process, collaboration, and how today’s jazz artists balance roots with forward motion.

🎧 Dig this deep dive into modern jazz composition and performance.

👉 Get the album Roots and Things:

https://freshsoundrecords1.bandcamp.com/album/roots-and-things?from=discover_page 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we sit down with internationally renowned jazz drummer, percussionist, clinician, author, and educator Steve Houghton, joining him from his base in Indiana to talk about his new 2025 album And Then Some and a remarkable life dedicated to jazz.

This new recording was a pure joy for Steve, bringing together longtime friends and centering on music he truly loves. The album reflects the depth, swing, and musical wisdom earned over decades of performing, teaching, and recording at the highest level.

Steve first gained international acclaim at just 20 years old as the drummer for Woody Herman’s Young Thundering Herd, launching a career that has since included collaborations with jazz greats such as Freddie Hubbard, Dave Samuels, Dave Stryker, Walter Smith III, Harold Land, Bobby Hutcherson, and many more.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore his early years, his evolution as an artist and educator, the creative process behind And Then Some, and what lies ahead for one of jazz’s most respected master musicians.

🎧 Dig in and enjoy this deep dive into jazz history, artistry, and forward momentum.

👉 Get Steve Houghton’s music:
https://houghtonmusic.com/recordings/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we sit down with trumpeter Paul Litteral, label owner Angela O’Neill, and producer Greg Curtis to discuss the powerful 2025 album The Literal Truth—a release shaped by resilience after their studio was destroyed during the California wildfires.

The Literal Truth is a vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, and rock, showcasing Paul Litteral’s unmistakable trumpet voice—defined by soulful tone, inventive phrasing, and fearless genre-blending. The album offers bold reimaginings of classic covers, with fresh arrangements drawn straight from Paul’s musical vision, including inspired takes on songs by Steely Dan, Edgar Winter, and a few unexpected surprises.

We talk about the creative process, the challenges of rebuilding after loss, and how adversity fueled a record that feels both urgent and celebratory. This conversation covers the full story behind the music, the production, and the passion that brought The Literal Truth to life.

🎧 Enjoy this deep dive into modern jazz fusion and creative perseverance.

👉 Get the album The Literal Truth:
https://www.angelamaeoneill.com/new-products/thelitteraltruth

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we catch up with Montreal-based jazz singer and composer Marie-Soleil Lambert to talk about her 2025 release Anastasia and a life deeply devoted to music, growth, and creative exploration.

Always evolving as both a musician and composer, Marie-Soleil leads her sextet Sun Fantasia, formed in 2022, as she continues to carve out a distinctive voice in contemporary jazz. Craving a new sound, she blends influences from Chick Corea, Weather Report, Joni Mitchell, and Frank Zappa, fusing genres and stylistic approaches to create something original, personal, and forward-thinking.

We dive into the making of Anastasia, her compositional process, the vision behind Sun Fantasia, and the musical journey that continues to shape her artistry. It’s a wide-ranging and inspiring conversation with a rising voice in modern jazz.

🎙️ Enjoy this interview.

🎶 Get the album:
https://mariesoleilmusic.com/track/4525714/anastasia

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we catch up with European jazz saxophonist and composer Nikola Bankov, one of the brightest new voices in contemporary European jazz, just before a live gig to talk about his 2025 release Everwanted—his third album as a leader and a bold step forward in sound and vision.

On Everwanted, Bankov fuses high-energy modern jazz with Nordic synth-pop textures, creating a vibrant and forward-thinking record that appeals to both younger listeners and seasoned jazz aficionados. Featuring his close collaborators, the album feels cohesive, ambitious, and refreshingly modern.

This marks our second conversation with Nikola, who is a Danish Music Awards winner and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. We discuss the evolution of his music, the making of Everwanted, live performance energy, and the future of jazz in Europe and beyond. It’s a powerful snapshot of an artist hitting his stride.

🎙️ Enjoy the interview.

🎶 Get the album & learn more:
https://www.nikolabankov.com/ 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we sit down with esteemed Bronx-based drummer, composer, and arranger Greg Burrows to explore his powerful 2025 release, Let’s Not Wait: The Music of Ed Bonoff, along with an eclectic and deeply personal journey through the jazz world.

This album stands as only the second recording ever dedicated exclusively to the compositions and arrangements of the legendary New York composer, arranger, and drummer Ed Bonoff. Remarkably, Bonoff remains vitally active today—continuing to compose, arrange, and perform his weekly drum gig at Arthur’s Tavern in Manhattan’s West Village.

Greg Burrows is a longtime friend and musical partner of Bonoff’s, bringing authenticity and lived experience to the project. During the interview, we revisit a seminal Kansas City memory at Charlie Parker’s gravesite, reflect on creative partnerships, and trace a career filled with defining moments and musical highlights.

From New York jazz history to personal connection, this conversation dives deep into the meaning behind the music.

🎙️ Dig this interview.

🎶 Get the album:
https://gregburrows.bandcamp.com/

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