Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this episode, we speak with Venezuelan-born jazz virtuoso pianist and composer Silvano Monasterios. Known for his masterful technique, emotional depth, and genre-blending innovation, Silvano dives into the creation of his powerful new 2025 album The River and reflects on his inspiring musical journey from Caracas to the U.S. jazz scene.

With a career spanning over three decades, Silvano Monasterios has earned international acclaim for his complex harmonic compositions, fiery Latin rhythms, and deep-rooted jazz improvisation. Trained in classical piano before transitioning into jazz, he draws influence from legendary figures in the jazz canon, all while cultivating a sound uniquely his own.

Throughout his career, Silvano has collaborated with jazz luminaries like Ira Sullivan, Larry Coryell, Dave Valentin, Paquito D’Rivera, and Arturo Sandoval. His versatility also extends beyond jazz, having performed alongside global icons like David Lee Roth and Shakira, bridging genres with effortless mastery.

In this insightful conversation, we explore his creative process, experiences touring the world, and how he’s sharing his musical wisdom with the next generation. It’s a must-listen for jazz lovers and aspiring musicians alike.

🎹 More on Silvano Monasterios – Albums, Tour Info & More: https://www.silvanomonasterios.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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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. In this episode, we speak with Betty Accorsi—an award-winning Italian-born, UK-based jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader—as she shares insight into her creative journey and latest musical projects.

We dive into her brand-new 2025 single “Mary,” a track inspired by the naturalistic poetry of Mary Oliver, the iconic American poet known for her reflections on nature and solitude. The single is part of her upcoming album Nature Prints, recorded with her quartet and set for release on July 18, 2025.

Betty studied classical saxophone, piano, and composition at the prestigious Giuseppe Verdi Conservatoire in Milan. Since relocating to London in 2018, she has become a vibrant presence in the jazz scene, blending her classical roots with bold, contemporary jazz expression.

In this conversation, Betty opens up about her inspirations, the creative process behind Nature Prints, and her experience growing as an artist in the UK jazz community.

🎶 Watch the “Mary” music video: https://youtu.be/VXVjf632uPg?si=44pJEJlTaVO6tULC
📀 Support the album on Kickstarter: http://kck.st/4cNDYuf

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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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. In this episode, we connect with UK-based jazz singer, pianist, and songwriter Robin Phillips—a seasoned artist with a deep passion for storytelling through music.

We dive into his brand-new 2025 album, Return from the Source—his first collection of original material in over 20 years. The album was born from a powerful motorbike road trip across the U.S., tracing the legendary route from Chicago to New Orleans in search of the soul of jazz and blues music.

Armed with just a notepad and the open road, Robin gathered musical and emotional inspiration from iconic places like New Orleans, Clarksdale, Mississippi, and Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Alabama. The result? A richly textured album that not only captures the spirit of these musical landmarks but also reflects on deeper themes—his connection to England, personal growth, and the state of the world.

Join us for a meaningful conversation about music, travel, creativity, and cultural connection.

🎶 Listen to the album: https://robinphillips.co.uk

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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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

We sit down with acclaimed blues guitarist and singer Sean Chambers to talk about his 2025 live album “Live From Daryl’s House Club,” released on Quarto Valley Records. Sean shares stories from his decades-long journey through the blues—from touring with legendary guitarist Hubert Sumlin to developing his signature powerhouse style.

Born in Florida, Sean's love for the guitar began with the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and an unforgettable KISS concert. Since launching his career in 1998, he has earned a reputation as one of the fiercest guitarists in the blues world, with a sound that’s equal parts raw, soulful, and electric.

🎸 Tune in as we explore Sean’s musical evolution, influences, and the energy behind his live recordings.

🔗 More on Sean Chambers
👉 https://www.seanchambers.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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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 special edition of the show—something deeper than an interview or performance. This is a personal reflection on a powerful week, one marked by magic, music, and meaning.

Just days ago, a long-awaited jazz journey reached its crescendo. What began as a simple email of gratitude transformed into a moving tribute to a timeless bond between a father and daughter, and to the heart of Kansas City’s jazz community.

It all started on April 8, 2025, with a letter from Tracey, a daughter expressing thanks for a show I host out of passion. Her father, John, an 88-year-old lifelong jazz fan, had a dream: to experience live jazz in Kansas City. And on International Jazz Day 2025, that dream became a reality at the Kansas City Music Hall.

What unfolded was more than just a concert—it was a communal homage, 14 years in the making, to the soul of jazz and the people who keep it alive.

📺 Watch the full story on KSHB-41 News:
Creative City KC Marks International Jazz Day by Fulfilling 88-Year-Old’s Concert Dream

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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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. We sit down with jazz guitarist, composer, and arranger Russ Spiegel, speaking from his base in Miami about his swinging new 2025 album Nitty Gritty. With a global career that spans rock, blues, funk, Latin, and modern jazz, Russ has earned acclaim as a respected international guitarist, bandleader, musicologist, and award-winning sound engineer.

Russ has toured extensively around the world and brings deep musical insight from over a decade of living and performing in Europe before moving to New York City. In this interview, we dig into the creative process behind Nitty Gritty, the evolution of his sound, and what fuels his enduring passion for jazz.

🎶 Get the album Nitty Gritty here:
👉 https://russ-spiegel.bandcamp.com/album/nitty-gritty

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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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 brand new episode of the Neon Jazz interview series, featuring Benjamin and Nicolas from Coco Rose, the Montreal-based funk/pop collective turning heads across Quebec. On the release day of their highly anticipated second album, Cuddle Funk, we dive into their creative journey, the band's origins in 2019, and how their sound has evolved since their debut EP Love Faster (2022).

Known for their infectious energy, tight grooves, and modern funk-pop fusion, Coco Rose is rapidly rising in the Canadian music scene. Cuddle Funk marks a bold step forward—polished, vibrant, and irresistibly danceable.

The duo also shares details about their upcoming 2025 live shows across Quebec and Ontario from May through September. Tune in for an in-depth conversation about music, growth, and the pulse of Canada's funk revival.

🎧 Listen to the new album here: Coco Rose on Apple Music 

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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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

In this episode of Neon Jazz, we talk with dynamic jazz vocalist and bandleader Shraddha Pai, the creative force behind Shraddha Pai and the Prismaticks. Based in Toronto, Shraddha brings a fresh yet nostalgic voice to the genre with the debut EP, Into the Moonlight — a four-track collection brimming with cosmopolitan elegance and timeless jazz influences.

Fusing a deep appreciation for pre-1960s jazz with a globetrotting sensibility reminiscent of artists like Stacey Kent and Pink Martini, her music is at once classic and contemporary. With a vocal range that moves from silken smooth to brassy and bold, Shraddha delivers songs with the emotional depth and flair of the Jazz Era, layered with modern storytelling.

In addition to her jazz project, she’s also a member of high-energy Bollywood ensemble The Culture Criminals, showcasing her cross-cultural versatility. In this conversation, we explore her musical journey, artistic influences, and the evolution of her sound.

🎙️ Learn more and explore her music: https://shraddhapaimusic.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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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

In this episode of Neon Jazz, we reconnect with award-winning jazz saxophonist and composer Patrick Zimmerli to discuss his stunning 2025 release, Songs of Innocence. This marks Zimmerli’s 14th album as a bandleader and his debut release on the newly launched Emergence Music Productions (EMP) label, co-founded with producer and polymath Harold Bott, Jr.

The album brings together Zimmerli’s powerful and expressive trio — featuring pianist Kevin Hays and percussionist Satoshi Takeishi — for a refined yet emotionally rich collection. Songs of Innocence navigates the space between the spontaneity of jazz, the melodic openness of pop, and the structure of classical music, creating a body of work that is both intellectually engaging and widely accessible.

Originally featured on Neon Jazz back in 2018, Patrick returns with deeper insights into his evolving artistry, label vision, and the sonic philosophy behind this new project.

🎷 Explore the music and learn more: https://patrickzimmerli.com/site/

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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER 

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

In this episode of Neon Jazz, we spotlight the powerful jazz partnership of acclaimed Italian vocalist Mafalda Minnozzi and brilliant guitarist Paul Ricci as they discuss their vibrant new 2025 album, Riofonic. This project is a deep musical journey that blends Italian romanticism with the soul of Brazilian jazz, creating a global sound rooted in emotion, rhythm, and authenticity.

Over her celebrated career, Mafalda Minnozzi has carved out a unique space in international jazz, fusing her Italian heritage with the richness of the Brazilian songbook. Riofonic captures the essence of her decades-long residency in Brazil and features contributions from some of Brazil’s most revered musical figures, including the legendary Roberto Menescal.

Together with Paul Ricci, a gifted and versatile guitarist, the duo crafts a sonic landscape that celebrates jazz improvisation, cultural fusion, and lyrical storytelling. In this interview, we explore their creative process, the inspiration behind the album, and the beauty of musical collaboration across borders.

🎶 Discover more and get the albums: https://mafaldaminnozzi.com/home-page/

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
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews:http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:               https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER  

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