Neon Jazz Interviews

It’s a little over a week away before this year known as 2025 comes to a close. And as I collect a cachet of memories and thoughts from the year that is gone by .. I think about all of the good in the highlights and the magic that took place this year.

There are three things that rise to the top of this year that is gone by & it includes a near improbable run that I started to get my childhood hero Dwight Gooden rightfully into the halls of Cooperstown. This isn’t directly a jazz event, but it infused and informed so much of the positivity that happened over this year.

It also included being a part of flying in a father/daughter Duo to Kansas City on international jazz day 2025 to see the Count Basie Orchestra .. thus completing a Dream for a man That loves Count Basie and jazz to the core of his heart. Essentially, it was a Fan letter that turned into something much much bigger thank you so much Tracy & John - I will forever hold you and High regard for such a wonderful moment.

It is also the resounding thought that Neon Jazz has been around for 14 years and how cool it is that this entire ride has been orchestrated under the guise of being an independently run jazz show and interview series.

All of this has been done strictly on the premise of Freedom. Every time I speak with Jazz Musicians about why they love this craft, they always point out freedom and I realize over this 14 year tenure that I’ve learned so much from all of the jazz musicians that I have been fortunate enough to interview.

They have taught me about improv .. they have taught me about the temporal nature of music & how it evaporates into the air and they have taught me what it’s like to embrace and love freedom that I think in these strange politically divided 2025 days there’s nothing more important than tasting that freedom.

And I think that is the theme of this year & the plight of this little radio show entering its 15th year in April of 2026.

And I’m also enormously grateful to my good friend .. show engineer and mentor John Christopher for always being there and for being the reason and inspiration behind me getting back into a broadcasting dream when I never thought it was not going to happen.

In all of the veins of this year and the major stories .. they revolve all the shows and all the musicians and all the interviews that have woven together a tapestry of America’s mighty invention known as jazz music …

& I thank you for being along for the ride and for supporting me and for all the kind words and for you to know that we are strong as ever as we enter our 15th year of broadcasting this wonderful music to this epic community of jazz from Kansas City to the world, the musicians, and beyond..so thank you and here we go again…

Music by E.E. Pointer .. The Playah - Single - 2010

More Neon Jazz - https://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we sit down with jazz trombonist and composer JC Sanford to explore his 2025 release Denki, recorded with his band EQ (Electric Quartet). This eighth album as a leader is a creative tour de force—electric, exploratory, and deeply personal.

The title Denki—Japanese for “electricity”—pays tribute to Sanford’s mentor Bob Brookmeyer, who released an album of the same name in 1994 with the WDR Big Band. Drawing from that lineage while pushing boldly forward, Sanford delivers a modern jazz statement fueled by spontaneity, evolution, and raw inspiration.

Throughout his career, JC Sanford’s musical life has taken many shapes and forms, always guided by curiosity and forward motion. Denki is a natural step in that evolutionary flow—embracing the moment when inspiration strikes and capturing it with urgency and clarity. We talk about the album, live performances, modern living, and much more.

🎙️ Dig in and enjoy this conversation.

🎶 Get the album:
https://jcsanford.bandcamp.com/album/denki

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we sit down with award-winning New York–based jazz vocalist Celia Berk for a deep dive into her ambitious 2025 recording project Four Seasons of Song—a series of EPs inspired by each of the four seasons, blending emotional nuance, storytelling, and timeless jazz elegance.

Celia Berk is widely celebrated for her distinctive interpretations of the Great American Songbook and her gift for uncovering hidden gems by master songwriters. Though her jazz career began later in life, her artistic journey is anything but conventional. Once an aspiring actress, Celia chose the structure of Corporate America, yet never stopped studying voice or nurturing her passion for music.

Her artistry has drawn high praise, with Rex Reed calling her “one of the best singers I’ve heard in a long time,” and Stephen Holden of The New York Times writing, “Ms. Berk makes you feel about New York the same way a Cole Porter song makes you feel about Paris.”

From prestigious New York stages to listeners around the world, Celia Berk’s voice carries elegance, intelligence, and emotional depth. We explore her music, career evolution, and the creative vision behind Four Seasons of Song. It’s a rich and inspiring conversation.

🎙️ Enjoy this interview.

🎶 Get the albums:
https://celiaberk.com/four-seasons-of-song-summer

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Paris-based jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Thomas Julienne, leader of Theorem of Joy.

In this episode, we catch up with Thomas about the band’s third album and 2025 release, Feux, along with his life in music, the evolution of the group, and reflections on modern living. A musician driven by collaboration and curiosity, Thomas continually draws from encounters across genres and cultures to shape his sound.

Known for his eclectic style and forward-looking approach, Thomas is trained in film scoring and computer-assisted music production, and he regularly composes commissioned works for image-based media. As a double bassist, he shares his experiences performing with diverse ensembles and musicians around the world, always pushing toward new artistic territory.

🎵 Get the music:
https://theoremofjoy.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we talk with renowned jazz singer Jonathan Karrant about his 2025 holiday release Christmas Wish, a beautifully crafted jazz album that blends seasonal warmth with world-class musicianship.

Christmas Wish features Grammy-winning jazz legend Diane Schuur, alongside an outstanding lineup including Kenny Rampton, Joe Alterman, and Houston Person. Jonathan takes us inside the creative construction of the album, from song selection and arrangements to the emotional intention behind each performance.

We also explore Jonathan’s personal Christmas memories, the role of holiday music in the jazz tradition, and how this record fits into his broader artistic journey. It’s a heartfelt and illuminating conversation with one of today’s most expressive jazz vocalists.

🎙️ Enjoy this interview.

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

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we sit down with producer Suzanne Waldowski and singer/pianist Champian Fulton to discuss the 2025 holiday jazz release Swinging in the Holidays—a vibrant album that brings fresh energy to seasonal music through original arrangements and today’s finest jazz voices.

Suzanne Waldowski’s journey into jazz is a unique one. A lifelong fan of the American Songbook, she began by hosting intimate house concerts in her home. That passion grew into presenting more than 20 concerts a year across the country, and ultimately launching her own jazz label, Songbook Ink. Swinging in the Holidays is the label’s first release and sets the tone for its mission: honoring tradition while spotlighting the next generation of jazz artists.

Joining her is Champian Fulton, widely regarded as one of the finest musicians in jazz today. The album features an impressive lineup including Anaïs Reno, Lucy Wijnands, Olivia Chindamo, Wyatt Michael, Angela Gray, Vanessa Perea, Rob Edwards, and Benny Benack III. Legendary clarinetist and tenor saxophonist Ken Peplowski also appears on the record and contributes insightful, often fascinating liner notes.

We cover the origins of the album, the vision behind Songbook Ink, the creative process, and the state of jazz today. Enjoy this wide-ranging conversation.

🎶 Get the album:
https://songbook-ink.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Brooklyn-based composer, multi-instrumentalist, and visionary Abraham Gomez-Delgado.

In this episode, we dive into his new 2025 album ¡Ya Tú Sabes! U All Reddy Noe, recorded with NYC’s powerhouse Latin X-Perimental band Zemog El Gallo Bueno. The group returns with their long-awaited seventh album, capturing a tight-knit band at the height of its powers.

Sung in Spanish, English, and Spanglish, the music explores themes of immigration, indigenous ancestry, personal transformation, and the radical act of rest — all filtered through Zemog’s signature blend of experimental jazz, Latin roots, and fearless improvisation.

We also trace Abraham’s journey from his beginnings to the present, covering a wide-ranging life in music and creative exploration.

🎵 Get the album and more:
https://abrahamgomez-delgado.com/ 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with bassist Wolf Robert Stratmann and pianist/composer Sujae Jung, discussing their 2025 quartet album Confluence.

In this episode, we take a close look at this new recording featuring Steve Cardenas on guitar and Marko on drums. Confluence was released on December 3, 2025, alongside a same-day release concert at Ki Smith Gallery in Manhattan.

These long-time creative partners talk about the making of the album, their shared musical history, live performances in South Korea, the Steve Cardenas Kansas City connection, and how this quartet sound continues to evolve on stage and in the studio.

🎵 Get the music:
https://www.wolfrobertstratmann.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Pennsylvania-based jazz singer Corinne, discussing her 2025 concept album Stories in Pink.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into an album that slips listeners into a time machine set for 1962 Manhattan, Paris, and Rio, blending deconstructed bossa nova, re-imagined jazz-pop, and lyrical storytelling into a sound that feels both nostalgic and urgently present.

Corinne also discusses her direct-to-fan release model, offering a special download package through her website that includes VIP invitations to future performances and exclusive content. Her goal is to reshape the artist–listener relationship — moving beyond passive streaming toward active patronage and deeper engagement.

Supported by Grammy-winning A&R at Bonfire, a nonprofit focused on artist development, Corinne also talks about preparing for an upcoming tour and what’s next for her evolving sound.

🎵 Get the album:
https://www.lightthebonfire.org/corinne 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with celebrated Montréal-based jazz pianist and composer Kate Wyatt.

In this episode, we dive into Kate Wyatt’s 2025 album Murmurations — a deeply interactive trio recording that highlights group empathy, musical dialogue, and spontaneous interplay. Joined by Adrian Vedady (bass) and Louis-Vincent Hamel (drums), the Kate Wyatt Trio presents a collection of original compositions by each member, unified by sensitivity, trust, and near-telepathic communication.

The concept of Murmurations — inspired by the natural phenomenon of birds moving in fluid unison — perfectly reflects the trio’s collective approach to modern jazz. We discuss the album’s creative process, the Montréal jazz scene, live performances, and what it means to truly listen within an ensemble.

🎵 Get the album here:
https://katewyatt.bandcamp.com/ 

For More Neon Jazz:

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Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                  

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