Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series, featuring NYC-based, award-winning jazz pianist and composer Kobi Arad. We caught up with him to discuss his highly anticipated 2025 album, Warping, and his incredible journey in music.

This groundbreaking album explores higher realms of reality, inspired by the Kabbalistic four levels of Torah interpretation, using innovative techniques to warp melodic and harmonic structures through time and space. Kobi Arad is recognized as one of the most prolific and versatile pianists, composers, and producers to emerge from Israel, seamlessly blending Classical Modern, Jazz, and Neo-Soul into his signature sound.

Over the years, he has collaborated with music legends like Roy Ayers, Jack DeJohnette, and Stevie Wonder, further solidifying his place in the global jazz scene.

🎶 Listen to the Interview & Explore the Music:
🔗 Get the new album: https://conta.cc/3D6SvUg
🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ASEOtYDQ4Ak

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Welcome to another edition of the Neon Jazz interview series! This time, we catch up with Seattle-based Jazz Trumpeter, Composer & Producer Thomas Marriott to discuss his 2025 album, Screen Time and his incredible journey in jazz.

On his 15th album as a leader, Marriott reimagines music from screens large and small—from Hollywood blockbusters to smartphone screens—through the lens of a state-of-the-art jazz quartet. Featuring an all-star lineup:
🎹 Orrin Evans – Acclaimed pianist & producer
🥁 Mark Whitfield Jr. – Rising star drummer
🎻 Robert Hurst III – Jazz legend on bass

A West Coast jazz powerhouse, Marriott has performed with Maynard Ferguson, Roy McCurdy, Julian Priester, Ernie Watts, Roger Humphries, Mike Clark, and many more.

🎧 Get the album: Screen Time on Bandcamp

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series! This time, we catch up with acclaimed Brooklyn-based jazz singer Marianne Solivan to discuss her highly anticipated 2025 album, Break’s Over, and her journey in jazz.

Known for her hard-swinging style, passionate vocals, and commanding stage presence, Solivan has established herself as one of the most dynamic jazz singers of her generation. With a career dedicated to elevating the jazz vocal tradition, she continues to captivate audiences with her joyous exuberance and sharp wit.

In this exclusive interview, we explore:
🎵 The inspiration behind Break’s Over
🎙️ Her evolution as a jazz vocalist
💫 The challenges and triumphs of a life in jazz

👉 Listen & Get the Album: Break’s Over on Bandcamp 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring musician and poet Don Paul. In this episode, we dive into his 2025 album, Louisiana Stories—a project deeply rooted in history, culture, and musical fusion.

It’s been said that this journey traces back to Don’s 1977 poem, "Colors Changing Color." Fast-forward to today, and Louisiana Stories has earned high praise since DPRAM began rehearsing and recording 18 months ago.

The 2-CD LOUISIANA STORIES album (12 Tracks with Vocals, 10 of the same Tracks as Instrumentals) crosses genres and geographies for an encompassing and very moving of this most mixed State. It offers a journey that unfolds through many layers and wonderful characters and scenes. Every Track and stage enriches the experience through its completion in “Our Trains Keep A-Comin’ “ and “Every Child Is Born To Be The Light Of Dawn.

The album brings together the powerful Rivers Answer Moons Band, featuring jazz legends like Roger Lewis on saxophone and Kirk Joseph on sousaphone. Louisiana Stories bridges genres and regions, blending jazz with Blues, Funk, Country, and Rock, reflecting the deep-rooted sounds of Louisiana and beyond.

In this interview, we discuss the making of Louisiana Stories, its impact, and the broader landscape of jazz and poetry in 2025 America. Dig in.

🎶 Explore more from Don Paul: Bandcamp

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series, featuring Canada-based jazz guitarist and composer Strat Andriotis. In this exclusive interview, we dive into his 2025 album Exits and explore his long journey in the world of jazz.

A veteran musician, Andriotis is known for his versatility across multiple genres. Originally from Greece, he immigrated to Hamilton, Ontario, where his love for music began. After years of studying piano and playing along with rock legends like Cream and Jimi Hendrix, his musical path took a transformative turn upon hearing Miles Davis' iconic album In a Silent Way.

Join us as we discuss his influences, evolution as a guitarist, and the creative process behind Exits.

🎧 Listen to the album here: Strat Andriotis - Exits

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series, featuring jazz pianist, emcee, composer, and educator Bennett Roth-Newell. We catch up with him to discuss his highly anticipated 2025 album, It’ll Always Work Out, his passion for teaching the next generation of musicians, and his journey in the jazz world.

With over 15 years in the industry, Bennett has been a prominent figure in the Bay Area jazz scene, performing extensively and making a lasting impact. In September 2024, he was honored as one of four recipients of the prestigious Leigh Weimers Emerging Artists Award.

Join us as we explore his career, inspirations, and what’s next for him in the world of jazz. Dig into the full interview!

🔗 Discover more about Bennett Roth-Newell: bennettrothnewell.com 

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Welcome to a brand-new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series, featuring Howard Mandel—President of the Jazz Journalists Association and Editorial Consultant for The Jazz Omnibus. We caught up with this veteran jazz journalist, who brings five decades of experience, to discuss his latest book, The Jazz Omnibus: 21st-Century Photos and Writings.

This 600-page collection is unrivaled as a self-selected “best works” anthology, featuring contributions from members of the Jazz Journalists Association (JJA). Inside, you’ll find international reports, interviews with major jazz figures, emerging artist profiles, biographical essays, memoirs, reviews, and stunning black-and-white action photography. The book is dedicated to the memory of legendary jazz scholar Dan Morgenstern (1929-2024).

With 67 articles, 23 photos, and an extensive selected bibliography, The Jazz Omnibus is a must-read for jazz lovers, historians, and music journalists alike. We cover a lot in this conversation—so don’t miss it!

📖 Pick up your copy here: The Jazz Omnibus – Cymbal Press

🎙️ Listen to the full interview and dig into the world of jazz journalism.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series! In this episode, we catch up with Bay Area jazz trumpeter, arranger, composer, and educator Erik Jekabson to discuss his new 2025 album Breakthrough on Wide Hive Records and his dynamic career in the jazz world.

A highly respected figure in the Bay Area jazz scene, Erik has performed with Galactic, John Mayer, and Kamasi Washington as part of Wide Hive’s Throttle Elevator Music. Beyond performing, he is a dedicated composer, arranger, bandleader, and educator, shaping the next generation of jazz musicians through his work at the Jazzschool in Berkeley, where he directs the Young Musicians Program.

🎺 Tune in for a deep dive into Erik’s creative process, his latest album, and his ever-evolving journey in jazz.

🎶 Get the album Breakthrough: widehive.com/discography/breakthrough

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series! In this episode, we catch up with violinist Kip Jones of the acclaimed string quartet ETHEL to discuss their highly anticipated collaboration with legendary bassist Ron Carter.

On Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 7:30 p.m., ETHEL and Ron Carter will take the stage at Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall for an unforgettable classical-jazz mashup performance. The concert centers around the music of Monk Suite: Kronos Quartet Plays Music of Thelonious Monk, a celebrated album that reimagines Monk’s jazz genius for string quartet and bass. This one-of-a-kind event brings together two powerhouses of classical and jazz for a genre-defying musical experience.

🎻 Tune in as we explore Kip’s world of music, ETHEL’s artistic journey, and this exciting collaboration!

🎟 Get your tickets:

🌐 carnegiehall.org | 📞 CarnegieCharge: 212.247.7800 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Kansas City-based Jazz Singer & Bandleader David Watson .. He grew up Philadelphia PA and his musical career started in elementary school singing in talent shows and school concerts. When  he was eight year old, he heard Ella Fitzgerald and that changed his life forever. Around ten years old, he started developing the art of scatting. Later in life, he landed a job as a bartender for four years at the World Class Jazz club, “The Showboat Jazz Theater.” That opened the door to a bevy of legends and he started rising up the jazz ladder from there. These days, he is shy of being in Kansas City for two years and is loving it. We cover his journey and much more. Enjoy.

More David - https://sonomajazz.com/

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