Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring UK-based jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Michael Bede Dunlop.

In this episode, we dive into Michael's debut album as a leader, Bede (2026)—a beautifully crafted recording that bridges the rich traditions of Northumbrian folk music with the adventurous spirit of Scandinavian-influenced contemporary jazz.

Recorded at The Old Church Studios in the quiet village of Thropton, Northumberland, Bede was born from an unexpected period of reflection during the COVID-19 lockdown. Returning to his native Northeast England, Michael immersed himself in centuries-old Northumbrian tune books, initially exploring the melodies for enjoyment before transforming them into fresh, modern jazz compositions performed in an intimate trio and quartet setting.

The result is a compelling debut that honors musical heritage while embracing improvisation, lyrical storytelling, and contemporary jazz expression.

If you're a fan of modern jazz, European jazz, folk-jazz fusion, contemporary improvisation, and original compositions, this conversation offers an inspiring look into one of the UK's emerging creative voices.

Get the album:
https://michaelbede.bandcamp.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Los Angeles-based composer, actor, producer, and arranger Laurent Ziliani.

In this episode, we take a deep dive into Laurent Ziliani's remarkable 2026 album, Anyone Can Whistle: A Sondheim Journey—a stunning jazz reimagining of Stephen Sondheim's timeless love songs. Drawing music from nine of Sondheim's legendary Broadway musicals, the album blends big band jazz, intimate vocal performances, lush orchestration, and sophisticated harmonies into a heartfelt tribute to one of musical theater's greatest composers.

The project also marks several major milestones in Laurent's career. It is his debut as a featured vocalist on a full-length album, his first large-scale big band recording, and his first self-produced release—a deeply personal artistic statement created entirely from inspiration rather than commercial expectations.

Although many know Laurent for his acclaimed work composing music for film, television, video games, and commercial media, Anyone Can Whistle: A Sondheim Journey represents a bold new creative chapter that showcases his love for jazz, storytelling, and the enduring brilliance of Sondheim's songwriting.

Whether you're a fan of jazz, Broadway, Stephen Sondheim, big band music, film scores, or contemporary vocal jazz, this conversation offers fascinating insight into one of today's most versatile composers and performers.

Get the album:
https://www.laurentziliani.com/en/release/anyonecanwhistle/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Montréal-based drummer, composer, and producer Alexis Martin.

In this episode, we dive into Alexis Martin's 2026 debut as a bandleader, Les pôles Volume 1, a stunning instrumental jazz recording that marks the beginning of an ambitious new series of albums. Long celebrated for his work in film and television scoring, Alexis brings a cinematic vision to modern jazz, creating music that is atmospheric, emotional, and deeply personal.

The title Les pôles Volume 1 reflects the idea of transformation. Much like the Earth's magnetic poles gradually shift over time, Alexis explores an ever-changing emotional and musical landscape where perspectives evolve, boundaries dissolve, and improvisation opens new pathways.

For more than 35 years, Alexis Martin has been a respected fixture on the Quebec, Francophone, and Canadian music scenes. Known for his airy touch, precision, and musical sensitivity, he has performed and recorded with many of Canada's leading artists while building a reputation as one of the country's most versatile drummers and producers.

If you're a fan of contemporary jazz, cinematic composition, modern improvisation, Canadian jazz, and innovative instrumental music, this conversation offers an insightful look into one of Canada's most accomplished musicians.

Get the album:
https://alexismartin1.bandcamp.com/album/les-p-les-volume-1-2

If you enjoy interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, producers, and creative artists, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz. 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring musician, producer, DJ, and Jazztronica creator Samir (FKAjazz) Zarif.

Six years after our last conversation in the summer of 2020, Samir returns to Neon Jazz to discuss his captivating new 2026 EP, Intrepid Sun: You Are the Sun, Again, along with the evolution of his groundbreaking musical vision, becoming a father, creating in modern-day America, and what's next in his ever-expanding artistic journey.

As the founder of Jazztronica, Samir has developed a distinctive sound that blends jazz improvisation, electronic music production, cinematic storytelling, visual art, and narrative-driven composition into an immersive multimedia experience. His latest five-track EP expands the universe introduced in Prelude to Descent, the first chapter of the TV Box Saga, inviting listeners deeper into a richly imagined musical world.

If you're a fan of contemporary jazz, electronic music, experimental composition, or boundary-pushing creative artists, this conversation is filled with insight and inspiration.

Get the new EP:
https://jazztronica.substack.com/p/intrepid-sun-you-are-the-sun-again

If you enjoy interviews with today's most innovative jazz musicians, producers, composers, and independent artists, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring New York City-based jazz pianist, keyboardist, composer, and arranger Kevin Du.

In this episode, we catch up with one of jazz's exciting emerging voices to discuss his beautiful 2026 album, Somewhere, a Butterfly Sings, along with his remarkable musical journey that spans continents, cultures, and genres.

Born in Chicago and raised in China, Kevin discovered music at an early age as a powerful means of expression, connection, and storytelling. Today, he has become a highly versatile artist whose work effortlessly moves between jazz, classical, R&B, pop, metal, musical theater, and beyond. No matter the setting, Kevin brings a distinctive musical voice, technical mastery, and heartfelt authenticity to every performance.

Somewhere, a Butterfly Sings showcases Kevin's lyrical approach to composition, rich harmonic language, and fearless creativity, blending modern jazz with cinematic textures and deeply personal storytelling.

Kevin Du represents a new generation of musicians who embrace limitless creativity while honoring the traditions that inspired them.

Listen to the album:
https://open.spotify.com/album/2Z8puSPY9Rwro7AMKO5Ck5

Follow Kevin Du:
https://www.instagram.com/_kevinduu/?hl=en

If you enjoy interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, and creative artists, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz. 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring pianist Christophe Magnan-Bossé and vocalist Roxane Reddy of the acclaimed Montreal-based Greenhouse Ensemble.

In this episode, we dive into the making of the ensemble's captivating 2026 album, Mezzanine—a bold and immersive recording that pushes the boundaries of contemporary jazz through rich orchestration, collective composition, and genre-defying creativity.

Greenhouse Ensemble has developed a distinctive sound by blending voice, piano, violin, trumpet, and a dynamic rhythm section into a musical landscape that is both intimate and cinematic. Their music bridges contemporary jazz, classical music, folk traditions, bluegrass, and improvised music, creating an organic listening experience filled with harmonic depth and ethereal textures.

With Mezzanine, the group builds upon the musical world introduced on their previous release, unveiling years of collaborative composition and sonic exploration. The album reflects the ensemble's shared vision, where every member contributes unique influences that shape a vibrant and evolving collective voice.

If you're a fan of adventurous jazz, chamber ensembles, and music that defies easy categorization, this conversation offers an inside look at one of Canada's most creative contemporary groups.

Get the album:
https://greenhouseensemble.bandcamp.com/album/mezzanine

If you enjoy interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, and innovative ensembles, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring jazz singer, visual artist, and cultural architect Tamara Rivelle.

In this episode, we connect with Tamara from her home base in Nashville, Tennessee to discuss her upcoming 2026 album, Love Letters, her heartfelt single “My Superman,” and a remarkable creative journey spanning music, art, education, and community building.

“My Superman” is a deeply personal reflection on Tamara’s father following his recent diagnosis with Alzheimer’s disease, transforming love, memory, family, and resilience into a powerful musical expression.

Originally from Pittsburgh and now based in Nashville, Tamara Rivelle creates a unique sound that blends jazz, R&B, and pop influences into a soulful and timeless musical experience. Beyond being a performer, she is a creator and connector whose work is built around a rare ability to inspire belonging and bring people together.

For more than three decades, Tamara has designed spaces that cultivate resilience, creativity, and character—first through classrooms and communities, and now through stages, visual art, and creative platforms.

Tamara Rivelle’s story is one of artistry, compassion, and connection—a reminder that music can preserve memories, honor relationships, and create spaces where people feel seen.

Learn more about Tamara Rivelle:
https://www.tamaracreates.com/

If you enjoy interviews with jazz musicians, vocalists, composers, visual artists, and creative storytellers, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz. 

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Phoenix-based jazz drummer, composer, and dentist Dr. Scott Sadlon.

In this episode, we dive into Scott's captivating 2026 album, Songs from Thin Air, an adventurous recording built entirely around the spirit of spontaneous improvisation. By day, Dr. Scott Sadlon practices dentistry after earning his bachelor's degree in biology and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from The Ohio State University. By night, he is one of Phoenix's most creative jazz musicians, performing with top local artists and producing imaginative recordings.

For Songs from Thin Air, Scott assembled an outstanding trio featuring acclaimed keyboardist Rachel Eckroth and renowned bassist Tim Lefebvre. Every performance on the album was recorded in one take, beginning with either a drum groove, bass line, or keyboard motif before allowing the music to unfold naturally through collective improvisation.

The result is a deeply organic recording that captures the excitement, risk, and beauty of creating music entirely in the moment.

Whether you're a jazz fan, musician, or simply fascinated by creative people balancing multiple careers, this conversation offers an inspiring look into a unique musical life.

Get the album:
https://scottsadlon1.bandcamp.com/album/songs-from-thin-air

If you enjoy interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, and innovators, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring pianist/composer Ruthie Dineen and bassist/composer Andrew Lion, the creative forces behind Negative Press Project.

In this episode, we reconnect with Ruthie and Andrew—whom we first interviewed back in 2018—to discuss their ambitious new 2026 album, Cycles I, created in collaboration with the acclaimed Friction Quartet. The project marks the fifth album from Negative Press Project and expands their musical vision into a stunning chamber-jazz experience that blends post-bop jazz, postmodern classical music, and fearless contemporary composition.

Andrew joins us from Bend, Oregon, while Ruthie checks in from California's East Bay. Together, they discuss the creative process behind Cycles I, surviving the COVID era, composing in America today, and continuing to evolve as artists in an ever-changing musical landscape.

The result is a bold, cinematic recording that balances sophisticated composition with improvisational freedom, making it both the group's most adventurous and most accessible release to date.

Enjoy this fascinating conversation with two outstanding composers and innovators.

Get the album:
https://negativepressproject.bandcamp.com/album/cycles-i

If you enjoy interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, and creative artists, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz.

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed New York City jazz pianist, composer, educator, and arranger Ted Rosenthal.

A longtime friend of Neon Jazz, Ted returns to discuss one of the most ambitious projects of his career—his remarkable four-album collection, Trios in 4 Acts. In this conversation, we take a deeper dive into the inspiration behind the complete series and the artistry that connects each recording.

The collection concludes with The Good Old Days, following the acclaimed releases:

• High Standards
• The Ted Rosenthal Songbook
• Classics Reimagined: Impromptu
• The Good Old Days

Together, these recordings celebrate Ted's lifelong passion for jazz piano, the piano trio tradition, American standards, original compositions, and the endless possibilities of improvisation. Each album offers a unique perspective while honoring the rich legacy of jazz.

Ted Rosenthal continues to be one of today's most respected jazz pianists, blending virtuosity, creativity, and deep musical tradition into every performance.

Learn more about Ted Rosenthal:
https://www.tedrosenthal.com/

If you enjoy interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, and innovators, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz. 

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