Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. We reconnect with acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Yelena Eckemoff to talk about her bold new 2025 double album, Scenes from the Dark Ages. This project blends progressive rock, modern jazz, and medieval themes into a surreal, nearly two-hour listening experience delivered by a top-tier ensemble.

Yelena dives deep into:

Described as “spellbinding” and “immersive,” this album is both ambitious and deeply personal — a must-hear for fans of cinematic, genre-defying jazz.

🎧 Listen / Buy the album: https://yelenaeckemoff.bandcamp.com/album/scenes-from-the-dark-ages

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. We sit down with Vermont-based jazz guitarist and composer Dan Greenleaf, a rising talent in the jazz world. In this powerful conversation, Dan shares the story behind his debut album Live at Ford Hall, his creative journey, and how living with cerebral palsy has uniquely shaped his musicianship.

Dan’s passion for jazz is undeniable, and his mission is just as moving — 50% of the proceeds from his album support a local organization that provides adaptive sports for the special needs community. Through his music, Dan celebrates resilience, accessibility, and the transformative power of the arts.

🎶 In this interview, we talk about:

📢 Discover all things Dan Greenleaf: https://www.dangreenleaf.website/ 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. We talk with NYC-based Jazz Guitarist James Zito about his exciting new 2025 release, Zito’s Jump, and his fast-rising career in the jazz world. Hailed as “The Natural” by Artslife Magazine, James is known for his masterful touch, soulful melodies, and deep musicality that channels legends like Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, and George Benson.

🎸 At just 28 years old, Zito has already performed at top NYC venues such as Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Birdland, and Minton’s Playhouse, earning a reputation as one of the most promising young voices in modern jazz guitar.

In this interview, we dive into:

🎶 Get the album: https://www.jameszitomusic.com/

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We catch up with veteran Kansas City-based jazz musician and educator Stan Kessler as he prepares to perform at the 2nd Annual Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival on Saturday, June 28, 2025. A beloved friend of Neon Jazz, Stan was part of the inaugural festival in 2024 and returns in 2025 by popular demand.

🎶 He'll bring his celebrated project Horacescope — a heartfelt tribute to jazz legend Horace Silver — to the stage, sharing deep roots that trace back to the iconic Jardine’s era in Kansas City.

In this interview, we dive into:

🔥 As summer approaches, Lee’s Summit is once again lighting up the Midwest with one of the most exciting jazz events of the season.

🎟️ Get Tickets to LS Jazz Fest ’25:
👉 https://www.bridgespace.us/jazz

🎺 Explore More of Stan Kessler’s Music:
👉 https://stantonkessler.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series! We catch up with LA-based jazz pianist and composer Eric Scott Reed to discuss his much-anticipated 2025 album, Out Late.

Known for his deep roots in jazz, Eric explores themes of friendship, legacy, and late-night inspiration on this powerful new release. Featuring an all-star quintet with Nicholas Payton (trumpet), Eric Alexander (tenor sax), Peter Washington (bass), and Joe Farnsworth (drums), Out Late is a tribute to the enduring relationships and timeless grooves that define his career.

🎶 In this interview, we explore:

🎧 Get the album here:
👉 https://ericreedsmoke.bandcamp.com/album/out-late

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series! In this episode, we talk with NYC-based jazz vocalist Svetlana Shmulyian about her genre-defying 2025 project, “Reel to Remix – Night at the Movies Reimagined.”

This bold, boundary-pushing alt-jazz/remix project reimagines standout tracks from Svetlana’s 2019 Billboard #1 album Night at the Movies. Produced by an all-women, multi-genre producer team, it features six visionary remixes that span jazz, electronica, pop, and beyond.

🎧 Listen to the Album:
👉 https://svetlanajazz.com/ 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series! In this episode, we talk with Montreal-based jazz guitarist and bandleader Nicolas Ferron.

We dive deep into his debut album for the 2025 project, exploring his journey through Montreal’s dynamic jazz and indie music scenes. Known for his versatility and unique voice on the guitar, Nicolas discusses working with Jonathan Cayer on B3 organ and Louis-Vincent Hamel on drums to craft this compelling new record.

🎧 Get the Album Here:
👉 https://nicolasferron.bandcamp.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Detroit-bred, NYC-based jazz violinist Gwen Laster, a nationally acclaimed musician known for her bold voice in modern jazz. We discuss her powerful new 2025 release with her quartet titled “Keepers of the Flame.”

Inspired by Clyde W. Ford’s The Hero With an African Face and her reflections on Joseph Campbell’s The Hero’s Journey, Gwen explores the African American cultural experience through a vivid musical lens. A recipient of honors from the National Endowment for the Arts and many others, Gwen brings her Detroit roots, family love of jazz and soul, and decades of experience to this moving, improvisation-rich album.

🎻 Get the album “Keepers of the Flame”: https://www.gwenlaster.net/event-details/keepers-of-the-flame-album-release

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with Indianapolis-based saxophonist and composer Sean Imboden as he celebrates a major milestone with the release of his debut big band album, "Communal Heart."

This captivating project represents the culmination of Sean’s artistic journey—from his early days as a journeyman musician to becoming a bold, imaginative big band leader. The album’s dynamic and multi-hued compositions are not only musically rich, but serve as an autobiographical reflection of risk, passion, and creative vision. Imboden’s leap into the big band world is a testament to following one’s artistic calling, and this interview explores that transformation in depth.

🎷 Get the album "Communal Heart": https://www.seanimboden.com/communal-heart

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we connect with UK-born, Netherlands-based music producer Simon Sixsmith, the creative force behind the cinematic jazz collective Black Gold 360. Speaking from his studio in the Netherlands, Simon dives into the making of the band’s fifth album, At the Still Point of the Turning World, set for release on May 1, 2025.

This new project marks a bold evolution for the group—venturing into electric territory with the inclusion of Fender Rhodes, bass guitar, and electric guitar to create a deeper, groove-driven, filmic jazz sound. With gritty 1970s influences and touches of snake-hipped electronica, the album captures the band’s unique ability to merge sonic storytelling with jazz experimentation.

We explore Simon’s lifelong passion for music, his innovative production process, and the journey that brought Black Gold 360 to this creative milestone. It's a rich conversation for jazz fans and music lovers alike.

🎧 Explore more from Black Gold 360: https://fiftydollarrecords.com/

For More Famous Interviews:Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
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