Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Champion, Educator, Musician & ISJA Supporter Mike Parkinson .. We caught up with Mike to talk about a long life lived in the jazz world as a musician, educator and advocate. Specifically, we honed in on a June 9, 2024 benefit concert that will take place at the Westport Coffeehouse Theater.  With the support of the International Relations Council and Saint Louis Polonia, this is a benefit concert for the 2024 International Summer Jazz Academy (ISJA) which takes place July 21-28 in Krakow, Poland. He has been associated with the ISJA since its founding in 1994 and served as Artistic Director for a number of years.  JAZZ Spoken Here, a post-bop sextet that I lead, will perform movie music by four Polish & Polish American composers long favored by jazz artists.  We cover the whole story for a very important jazz mission of spreading the music and keeping the future bright. Dig this interview. 

More Links:
2024 ISJA home page:  http://www.isja.jazz.krakow.pl/index.php/en/
2024 ISJA promo video in English: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKTzfbSOBP0

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Trombonist Matthew Fillingham & Trumpeter Justin Crossman of the Kansas City’s Back Alley Brass Band on a New EP & Summer Festivals .. We caught up with these esteemed band leaders of the infectious New Orleans-flavored brass band to talk about a whole lot going on in their worlds. Along with Kansas City’s Boulevardia Festival, they will be headlining the 1st Annual Lee’s Summit Jazz Festival taking place on June 22, 2024. Also, they have a brand new EP out called Last Chance to Dance. We cover this bevy of activity from a band on the rise. Dig this interview. 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with South African-based Jazz Saxophonist & Composer Linda Tshabalala .. She won best newcomer in jazz for her debut album titled "Convergence: Bekezela Siyeza" at the Mzansi Jazz Awards in South Africa and was nominated for Jazz Artist of the Year at the Basad In Music Awards. We cover this debut album, her life in music and so much more. Dig …

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonists & Composers Adam Larson & Chris Madsen on the 2024 CD Trust Fund Tinder Goblins Howling at the Moon .. Adam hopped on from his home in Kansas City, while Chris joined us from Chicago to talk about this sophomore album from a collaboratively-led band “Narrative” that also includes Scott Hesse, Clark Sommers and John Kizilarmut. This album features compositions from each member and was recorded in about 5 hours this past March at ProMusica in Chicago, IL. We cover this album, upcoming live shows, the busy jazz musician world of collaborations and so much more. Dig in .. 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Guitarist, Composer & Educator Greg Skaff on the 2024 Album Re Up .. This cat has been swinging presence and improviser on the New York scene since the late ‘80s. On his latest project, he teamed up with bassist Ugonna Okegwo and young drumming sensation Jonathan Barber to make some more magic. We get into how this project came about, surviving COVID, life in Harlem and the future ahead. Dig in…

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trombonist & Composer Matthew McDonald .. We get into his new 2024 CD The Long Wait, getting through COVID, his history in music and much more. Over the years, he has performed at numerous jazz festivals and venues around the world. Since moving to New York in 2003, he has performed with countless ensembles and with the likes of The Temptations, The Four Tops, and beyond. He received his Bachelor of Music at DePaul University in Chicago, his Masters of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, as well as receiving his Artist Diploma from the Juilliard School, studying with Wycliffe Gordon. Dig his story.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist Klas Lindquist on Being Named the 2023 Album of the Year .. He has received quit a bit of positive press about his latest 2023 album "Alternative Source of Energy”, but he just received the highest honor by the Swedish jazz magazine Orkesterjournalen as "The jazz album of the year in Sweden 2023”. This is the world's oldest jazz magazine and compounds all the good news going on in a career that is one the rise. We caught up with him on a trip to New York City to discuss a bevy of new projects, live shows and much more. Dig it.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Mexico-based Jazz Pianist Emilio Reyna .. From his base in Mexico City, he opened up about his new 2024 CD Los Niños Perdidos, along with a great life in the jazz. He stands as a forward-thinking musician aiming to push the possibilities of modern improvised music while maintaining a sense of sincerity and tradition. His interest in jazz led him to pursue undergraduate and graduate studies in Jazz Composition and Performance at McGill University, Montreal. He has since established himself as one of the most sought-after musicians on the Mexico City scene. We cover all of this and more. Dig in…

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based Jazz Vocalist & Pianist Brenda Earle Stokes on the 2024 CD Motherhood  ..We get into this new project that has been about 12 yeas in the making with songs exploring identity, fear, expectations, body image, friendship and growth. A natural multitasker, she has fused a passion for the piano and a love of singing into a vibrant career that crosses genres organically. A native of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, her career has taken her across Canada and US, and internationally performing at venues like the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, the Toronto Jazz festival and beyond. We cover quite a bit. Enjoy this interview.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based Jazz Guitarist Jeff Shirley on New 2024 Albums .. We catch up with this talented musician about his new 2024 CDs Contigo and Modes of Nature coming out on Christopher Burnett’s ARC or Artists Recording Collective label. They again show the power and evolution of this veteran musician that can be seen regularly at the Green Lady Lounge. Also, his music is in a new indie film. We cover all the recent happenings and a bit more. Enjoy.

Get the music - https://jeffshirley.com/

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