Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Piano Jazz Star Fred Hersch

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with a piano prodigy, jazz star and a musician with a very intriguing biography .. Mr. Fred Hersch .. From the streets of Cincinnati, he has moved on to become one of the most sought after jazz pianists going these days .. After surviving a coma in 2008, he has gone on to make a new production that is getting rave reviews called  My Coma Dreams .. his latest album called Floating produced with his trio is exceptional and it’s up for 2 Grammys .. Fred is full of stories and plenty of cool insights ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 15, 2014

Jazz Drum Legend Jack DeJohnette

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the legendary drummer Jack DeJohnnette .. At 72 and still going strong in the world of music and jazz, he was very open about his life in music .. He talked about starting out on the piano as a boy in Chicago, then moving on to the stage with bebop legends like Miles Davis and Thelonius Monk .. Along the way, he had a wise arsenal of stories and insight about a life of music that has treated him well .. and he’s done the same for his fanbase with countless albums and songs of quality .. Dig

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 8, 2014

Veteran Kansas City Jazz Bassist Bob Bowman

Welcome to a special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - During this interview, we had the honor of speaking with journeyman jazz bassist & Kansas City’s very own Bob Bowman. Born and raised in Kansas, he made his way from New York City to Los Angeles playing with the best in jazz. He came back to Kansas City in 1988 and has been here every since and remains a vital part of a very healthy KC jazz scene. During our interview, we covered a large list of questions, including a new album he just release called Songs For Sandra in honor of his late wife .. He’s very open about all things jazz and how he views his career from yesterday, today and into tomorrow ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Talented Writer & Musician Josh Malerman


Where were you born and raised?
It was a suburb of Detroit called West Bloomfield. Then, went to West Bloomfield High School and then went to Michigan State University and moved to New York City with my rock band. I was out there for 4 years. Then, I hit the road for like 6 years and at some point I found my way back here to Ferndale.

As a kid, where were some of your best memories?
Making up adventure games with my brothers.  This chases easily through the life of a writer’s life. We would make up characters  and situations and act them out in the yard. During rain, snow, sun .. whatever. Essentially it was us just making up characters and acting them out for the day.

What were some of the horror films you watched growing up that stuck with you?
I have a real seminal moment with Twilight Zone: The Movie. It came out around 1985 and I was like 10 years old. My uncle said you have to see this movie and put the VHS tape and I watch it alone. It was like the first horror movie I had ever seen. That was it. I was blown away. I was scared. I was excited. I told my brothers about it and everyone at school . So, my love of the horror genre is so rich and varied, but it all definitely started with Twilight Zone: The Movie.

Let’s switch from films here to music. What were your favorite bands growing up?
I have a weird history with music. I was kind of a square for a long time. I would listen to whatever mom and dad were playing. My dad was playing Doo Wop and early Beatles. My mom was playing mid to late 60’s psychedelic stuff. It was good stuff, but I didn’t really thing back then , “Go forge your own path and discover your own music.” It took my band mates, who I was friends with since 11 years old, to really introduce me to stuff.  I was late in my teens when my drummer, Derek, said I had to get into The Ramones. You got to get into this band or that band. I just never sought it out on my own. I was one of those guys that was like, “It’s on the radio, so it must be good.” I just didn’t know. My band mates really opened my eyes infinitely. I remember my first album I bought was A Nightmare on My Street by Will Smith and the only reason why I got it was because there was A Nightmare on Elm Streetish cover.

Where you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I’m not sure when I was a kid that I could recognize that you could be do anything you want or become anything you want with your life.  It was more like, “I’m going to school. I’m getting really good grades and I’m the captain of the track team.” And then, I thought Dad’s an accountant and maybe I’ll be something like that one day.  Who knows? I had sort of a psychic break at the age of 19. Something struck me all in one evening that resulted in a panic attack. It was the absolute realization that I can really do whatever I want right now. Some things have repercussions and other things have infinite rewards .. and it all hit me at once. It was sort of overwhelming. Man, I told my mom about it and it my freak out moment it was like,  “Don’t be afraid of this. Actually now go out and do what you want with your life.” I had been writing my whole life because it was fun. So at age 19, when I was doing that thing that was really fun, I realized I could actually do this.  That is when it all settled in.

Do you remember that time when you rounded that corner and fell in love with reading?
Yea, I do. My parents had gotten me this book about these weird primitive animals that eat all the food in town. It was a bit scary. I remember opening the book and reading the entire thing. My folks were like, “You read an entire book. You can read!” And I remember it was that little sliver of encouragement that mom and dad were impressed. It was then that I immediately took to reading. There was a thing called The Pine Tree Book Awards. It was a contest to see who could read the most books in the school district. I came in third. There was a big ceremony and mom went with me and I got third place and it was so upsetting.

Why do you write? What is it that makes you feel complete to write?
I used to say that I felt completely motivated  by guilt if I didn’t write. That really paints a dark scenario though. To satiate something versus to celebrate something. At some point I realized that sure you do feel guilty if you don’t write, but you also feel really fucking good when you do write. So for  me , it’s like, I’m not a realist in any way. I’m the kind of guy that when I watch a documentary I think ‘Well this is great, but it’s biased.” Of if I watch a movie about a struggling mom I think it’s OK, but it’s still fiction. I’m always aware with art that no matter how realistic it is trying to be, it is still fiction. With that in mind, I kind of walk the path of if it’s fiction .. it’s all fiction. So, let’s strap on the imagination catapult and fire! Let’s just let it go. When I’m doing that, it just feels like the right thing to do.

When did you decide that making music was something you were going to do for the rest of your life? 
Again, I had been writing forever. So, I had this pile of really terrible poems. They were all trying to be really dark and deep. All of my friends were already playing instruments and I just didn’t think anything of it. And I didn’t. So, we had this one day where we were all in the basement and another friend of mine started singing all of those poems over the music my friends were playing. And that right there was a huge moment. And that was the first moment that I heard someone singing my words to music and it was like these could be songs. So, this big impenetrable wall of music suddenly had a door and I thought ‘Wait a minute. You can go through this. You can write songs.” It was so thrilling. I think that would be the moment. I remember where everyone was standing at that moment, the color of the basement .. it was that kind of moment. I credit my friends and Mark specifically for picking up those poems and singing them. It just showed me that anyone can write a song if they want to.

Your band, The High Strung, has to be one of the most talented and least known bands out there today. Talk to me about the band and how it started.
One time the LA Times voted one of our albums as the 2nd most overlooked album of the year. So, Derek says that maybe next year we will be the 2nd most looked album of the year. But, it all began that day with Mark in the basement with my poems. From there, my younger brother’s friend, Chad, who’s my bass player .. we all said that we should play together. So, at 23 years old we all decide to move to New York City and write songs. So, we went out there and we were broke. And I would call Chad constantly and tell him that he had to quite college and come out to New York and be in the band. Chad kept saying ‘no-no-no.” And finally, one day the doorbell rings and Chad is standing there. He said that he had finished school and a friend from Vermont drove him out for some Phish show. He asked the dude to drop him off and there he was. So, Chad moved into the loft and we had a year of non-stop recording and writing songs. That led to a friend of ours getting us a gig in Ohio. We didn’t even know what that meant back then .So, we drive from New York to Ohio and play the show. On the way back, we were like, ‘Wow. That was awesome. That was amazing.”  We have played a small town with 30 people there and they danced and we had fun .. we all drank. What a night. So, we said lets go on the road.  That idea ballooned into 6 years of being on the road. We were touring for like 240 shows a year. We were going non-stop. From like Miami to Seattle. Man, it never got old. You have relationships growing with people in all these different cities. It really showed me that America was much smaller than I always thought it was. We circled the country like 20 times. In hindsight is sounds like a real linear story,  but while we were doing it there was no real conscious decision about how things were going. It just kept going and going and momentum and ballooning. There were shows where we would play for like 10 people and have the time of our lives. It was always fun. I always joke that we played like 2,000 shows for about 2,000 people. Man that was 6 years. Nothing could replace that. It was like high school and a half. Just playing with your buddies and the fighting was minimal. We had already gone through all of that in like 8th and 9th grade. We never got sick of each other. We always had our eyes on playing our songs in Minneapolis was better than working that day job when you got home. We never lost sight of that. We got a little bit older. I’m 39 years old now.  Man, I remember waking up in somebody’s laundry room. Opening my eyes and seeing the bottom of laundry tubs. That idea sounds a little crazy to me today. Other than that naturally getting older thing, we have a legitimate love for making music and albums.

From 2000 to 2014 you have 15 albums and these days you have the theme song for the Showtime Show Shameless and now millions of people are getting exposed to your music .. How does that feel? 
First of all, I have zero regrets or animosity that we’re not quote/unquote famous. Our music life has been magnificent, but with this whole Shameless thing – I think oh my god this is our moment and now we are gonna be well known. We have some money from the song in the show and thank God. But, in terms of fans, it’s exactly where it’s always been. That said, when this actually happened, we had just finished a practice. Derek left practice and I got a call from him while I was still at the practice space. He tells me that he has some weird news for me and we got asked to do a theme song for a Showtime show with William H. Macy. I said, ‘Come on. What are you talking about? We are a tiny from Michigan.’ Then, we were like ‘Really? This is happening.’ We were almost nervous that whatever this news was, it was going to change things. We thought if that show does not come out tomorrow, this whole thing could fall apart. There was just this huge joy and anxiety. Then it happened and it’s awesome .. we have a theme song on TV.

What is a typical day like for Josh Malerman?
Like today, I’m working on book two for Harper Collins. The follow up to Bird Box. It’s already written. I’m re-writing it and I’ll work on that for a few hours. I just did a Kindle single and  hopefully I’ll do another one soon. Generally it’s either editing, writing or writing from scratch – which is my favorite thing to do. Somewhere in there I will pick up the guitar and work on some songs. Then somewhere in there I will talk to my friends about making movie ideas. I will definitely say that I am 100% living the life of an artist. From the minute I wake up to the minute I go to sleep it’s either reading, writing, playing the guitar or talking about things. Honestly, that’s all I really do.

What do your band mates think about this new lineage of Bird Box fame?
You know, we are all best friends so they were ecstatic. I wrote eight books while riding shotgun in the tour van. I would be in the passenger seat tearing away at the keyboard. They’ve seen me writing books and songs for years and years. I think they were all like, ‘Holy cow!’ I do think we all have an ‘aw man’, I wish this was happening for all of us. Everything is great though. All is working out fine. The one thing we cannot do is stop now. Come on, the book thing is amazing, I got to write us another album .. so let’s make it. Who knows, maybe more attention from the book will give us exposure.

How did you come up with the idea for Bird Box?
I’m constantly thinking of not just horror ideas, but something similar to that. I just don’t think that I have anything yet to add to the werewolf and vampire universes. I just find myself looking constantly for a more abstract monster. At some point, I loved the concept of infinity personified. The idea that there is an entity that you cannot fathom. You cannot understand if you were to encounter it, it would be the same as understanding infinity. Kind of like man at the end of the space boundary .. you would not be able to understand it. So, I went with that idea being on your front porch. Like standing outside. So, you wake up and go downstairs and you open the door and infinity is out there. So I randomly .. not sure how .. had this image of a woman travelling down a river blindfolded and her kids were blindfolded. They were fleeing from something. The original draft started with Mary and the kids on the river and they weren’t blindfolded yet, because I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing yet. Then it was like, ‘Where are they going? What are they fleeing?’ Oh man, I thought, they are fleeing infinity. That was kind of like my Aha moment with Bird Box. It happened pretty early. About three sessions into writing it. The rough drafts from there were like an explosion.

Did you at any point during the writing of Bird Box did you blindfold yourself and type?
There were times where I would walk around the apartment with my eyes closed and all that. Yes, I think I did actually, but not to the extent that I wish I had. I should have walked around the block. I was dating a girl at the time, she could have been near me and made sure that I wasn’t unsafe. I wish I would have done that. What I did have in that room I was writing was prized finches who I never put in their cage. So these birds were flying back and forth in this big loft space .. kind of like a ball room. So these birds would just be flying back and forth the whole time I was writing. That was outstanding. It was really cool.

The journey to getting book published is typically a long road. How did Bird Box get published?
The story of how I met Harper-Collins is almost ridiculous. It’s a testament to stick to itiveness and it’s also a testament to luck. Not sure if you know this, but I have written about 20 novels now. I would write on Facebook that I finished another book today or I finished a rough draft and then say how excited I was. A friend of mine from high school called me up and said he knew an entertainment lawyer that specializes in authors. So I said ‘wow’ and my friend, Dave, said he would send him one of my books. I gave Dave this book called Goblin and he sent it to this lawyer. The guy then called me and said he would like to represent me. I thought it was amazing. So, he said I think we have a good manager for you .. so, send the book to him. And now that fella is currently my manager. And between the two of them and an agent now, this team was assembled and shopped to a publishing house. So it really all did begin with this friend from high school who said he had read all of these posts I put up on Facebook. So, it looks like it’s lucky. Yes, it is lucky. At the same time, the reason he called was because I was writing. I believe in a theory of momentum. You may not end up with the exact thing you are dying for, but if you stay in motion, there’s gonna be some ripple effect. You’re going to end up somewhere with it.

My wife Carrie contends that the force in Bird Box could just be overwhelmingly benign, whereas I’m convinced that it was a sinister force of evil. What do you think about this?
Oh man, I love that. It’s funny because while I was writing Bird Box, there were moments where I thought ‘wait a minute’ I’m not convinced that these creatures mean any harm. It’s possible that they are just clumsily observing what’s happening. I can almost imagine these entities completely observing this wreckage that they are causing. To me, that is a really awesome idea. But, it wouldn’t explain certain things. For example, if they were aware of what they were doing, why would you enter the house. Why would you keep it up? There has to be flat out uncaring malice going on. Otherwise you would be like, “We are causing a lot of harm here .. let’s stop.” First of all, that’s assuming they think anything like that and they don’t. Tom mentioned in the book I don’t think these things mean to do what they do. So, I think about that all the time. I wonder if Tom is right. I’m not sure, you know. To me, that’s a possibility. I think if I just read the book and walked away from it, I would say that’s a possibility, but I think something malicious is afoot.

Let me paint a Rockwellian picture for you. You just had Bird Box get picked up to be a movie and on opening night you sit down .. Do you think there is going to be anything better that watching a good representation of your book?
No I don’t. You know, people always say ‘That’s beyond my wildest dreams.’ Well, I think that would be my wildest dream. There’s something almost mafiaish or clubish about the horror fan. The Conjuring has been rolled into the group. We can all agree that The Conjuring is a good one.  So, The Conjuring is there forever. There will be a 30th Anniversary and folks will talk about it the same way we are now. It’s a made man, so to speak. There are a lot of horror movies where you think, ‘aw man.’ The point is, there is a lot you have to sift through in horror to find those gems. So, to sit down and see that Bird Box has the potential to be welcomed into that horror fraternity .. oh man, that would be it right there.

If you had to pick music or writing right now,  .. which would you pick and why?
I would absolutely take writing. From the start, that’s what actually got me into music. Like I said earlier, I wrote poems and all that. That is interesting because if I pick music then I would still be writing, right? If I chose writing, I could still sort of hedge that fence and write poems and make ‘em a little more lyrical .. or songish. If I chose music and turned it back .. oh no. It would have to be writing.

Let’s get into some hero talk here. If you could meet one person .. alive or not, who would it be and what would  you talk about?
I have a few. I think you know this one is coming. I would love to sit down and talk with Stephen King. I would ask him how he felt in the early days when he realized that he was becoming trusted author of the horror genre. I would ask him how satisfying that was, how much pressure did that put on his next book and did he feel like he was being over-edited in the early days. Did he feel loose as a goose? Did he feel he wasn’t edited enough? I would ask him a lot of questions about what it was like before he became a quote/unquote brand name. That moment must have been so bizarre, so surreal and so profound for him. I wonder. Even if you were that guy that knew you were going to be that all along, when that happens, it has to do something to you. I would also love to have a sit down to dinner with one person. I would love to have dinner at Agatha Christie’s house and ask her to tell us a story. We would all be blown away a paragraph into it. We would say that’s the best story we ever heard. I love her. There’s some other guys to. Like Hitchcock, Woody Allen and Bob Pollard from Guided by Voices. I actually have met Bob and hung out with him. I would love to talk to those people.. they were actually chastised for being so prolific. I would love to talk to Woody Allen about putting out a one movie a year for 60 years. I would love to talk to Hitchcock about workmanship. There’s always this workmanship thing about the prolific artist. There always has to be that eternal flame of inspiration going on also. I would love to see that flicker in Hitchcock’s eyes. I would like for all al not to be that they are just a business man. They are really consistent artists and I would like to  talk with them about that.

What’s the greatest thing about being a musician?
I used to think it was making an album. The idea that you are documenting where you are at emotionally and technically how good you are. So, bands in the 60’s put out like two albums a year. Nowadays it seems that bands put out an album every two years.  With bands like The Beatles and The Who, we were able to watch them grow because they were documenting their growth. Whereas a band like The Strokes puts out an album and like two years later there’s an incredible pressure, but their next album sounds like their first album. Now it’s playing in front of anybody and  in any city is the most rewarding thing I can think of. It’s so great, man. When you’re standing on stage with your friends and you nail it .. and you can feel it. My answer to that is the live show.

You get to live on the lit and dark side of earth. You get to witness people being pleased by your music and hear people talk about your books .. a pleasure you will never witness. What is that like?
Man, the book only came out 6 months ago. I still really don’t know how to respond to it all. I get messages every day from people who have read the book. I really struggle with how articulate how much it means to me. You come off like, ‘oh, thank you.’  But, you are thinking inside that this is the greatest thing ever. There have been some reviews online where people don’t like it, but the good is far away more than the bad. The interesting thing is to be having this happen in this era versus the 1980’s . Not only do you see everyone’s opinions online, but if you want to, you are a click away from engaging with people. Sometimes it’s tempting when someone writes an incredible review to reach out and say thank you. So what do you do if someone writes a review that really isn’t bad, but they just got it wrong. There was one particular review on Amazon that referenced my influences and mentioned a book that was published after Bird Box. What do you do now in 2014 when you are a click away from engaging? There are guys and gals that are known to engage and others that don’t say a word no matter what. And so far, I have been the latter camp and I’m not convinced I want to stay there.

Describe to me who you are in the length of a tweet?
I’m an optimist who’s in love with the imagination in all its forms. That’s what ties together the rock-n-roll with horror stories with silly cartoons & crazy esoteric movies.  I know I’m well over the tweet limit now, I have been asked how I reconcile these scary novels with these bright pop songs .. and the way I see it is that it really comes from the same place. I’m an optimistic clown in love with the imagination.

For more on Josh Malerman and The High Strung:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_High_Strung
http://nelsonagency.com/clients/josh-malerman/
https://www.facebook.com/JoshMalerman
https://twitter.com/joshmalerman

For more interviews via Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino: 
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2

Friday, November 7, 2014

Talented Trombonist Reggie Watkins

Welcome to another episode in our Neon Jazz interview series  .. Meet Jazz Trombonist Reggie Watkins .. From West Virginia, he has gone on to travel all over the map giving people his unique blend of jazz. He got plenty of experience touring with Maynard Ferguson .. and gave me one of the best jazz stories we have ever heard here on Neon Jazz .. He also talks about his latest album - “One For Miles One for Maynard”, along with a whole lot more .. Dig it, my friends ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Monday, November 3, 2014

Internet Royalty Free Music Man Kevin MacLeod

Kevin MacLeod is an American composer and music producer living in New York City. MacLeod is best known for his distribution of royalty-free music through his website, Incompetech.com. MacLeod has made over 2000 pieces of music available for download under a Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY) and in the Public Domain. He is the subject of a documentary film scheduled to be released in 2016, entitled Royalty Free: The Music of Kevin MacLeod - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ryancamarda/royalty-free-the-music-of-kevin-macleod


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Jazz Star Bob Mintzer

Welcome to this edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - We spent some quality time with jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, and big band leader Bob Mintzer discussing a wide array of topics pertaining to a long career that has been going strong since the 1970’s ..  He is a force in jazz and discussed his cool years with the Yellowjackets, how jazz matters, great stories from the road, the effect he has on his fans and a whole lot more .. Dig it, my friends ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Guitar Legend & Jazz Musician Jack Wilkins

Welcome to a special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - We had the honor of interviewing Legendary Guitarist Jack Wilkins ..  Very active in the world of jazz for many years, he spoke with us about playing with cats like Dizzy Gillespie, what he tries to teach his students, his key to longevity and much more .. Dig it, my friends ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 20, 2014

Veteran Canadian Jazz Trumpeter Al Muirhead

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - On this edition, we had the honor of interviewing legendary Canadian Trumpeter  Al Muirihead – He has spent his life entertaining fans with his blend of jazz .. Travelling all over Canada and spots around the world .. He talks about his love of the trumpet, tales over his career, what is next and much more ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/


Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Legendary Jazz Saxophonist & Composer Phil Woods

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the legendary saxophonist Phil Woods .. At the age of 83 and with 65 years on the jazz stage delighting fans all over the world, he has plenty of insight and stories to dispense .. From major influences, how he approaches gigs these days, what is coming up next .. Full of energy and love for jazz, this is Phil at his best ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Monday, October 6, 2014

Talented Modern Day Saxophonist & Composer Jaleel Shaw

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the very talented saxophonist & composer Jaleel Shaw .. Over the course of a lengthy, open conversation, Jaleel spoke about getting his first sax, growing up in the City of Brotherly Love, how his career has gone so far, owning his own record label, what is next and much more .. Enjoy ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Modern Jazz Alto Sax Hero Ted Nash

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the very talented alto saxophonist and modern day jazz great Ted Nash .. Over the course of a candid and revealing talk, Ted talked about how his career began at 16 with a week in Hawaii and playing with the great Lionel Hampton. From there, he has gone on to play with the best in the business and release a trove of critically acclaimed jazz discs. Currently living out a dream playing with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, he retold some cool stories about his Uncle Ted Nash, those early days he would spend watching recording sessions, what is going on these days and another cool project in the works for the future ..  along with much more .. Ted is a force in jazz today .. Enjoy ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Wise Hammond B3 Organist & Jazz Icon Dr. Lonnie Smith

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the legendary Hammond B-3 Jazz Organist Dr. Lonnie Smith .. Over the course of a lengthy, open conversation, Dr. Smith went through the full lineage of his career dispensing the wisdom and love he has garnered from the world of music .. Full of stories, anectdotes, wisdom and an original Dr. Smith story through and through, I think you’re gonna dig this .. Enjoy ..  

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/



Thursday, September 18, 2014

Jazz Legend Jimmy Heath

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the legendary alto saxophonist, arranger and composer Jimmy Heath .. During the course of our interview, Jimmy was very open about his friendships with John Coltrane & Dizzy Gillespie, along with travels in Paris, some of his favorite photographs, how the world is better off with Jazz and the key to his gifted longevity in the jazz craft.


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/


Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Jazz Pianist Matthew Shipp

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with an innovator leading the music march in modern jazz these days and one of the finest pianists today .. Matthew Shipp .. From Deleware, but based these days in New York City ..  He recently spoke with Neon Jazz about all those early experiences in life that made him fall in love with jazz, his early gigs, the profound influence of David S. Ware, what’s going on these days with a new album of solos, who he would love the meet if he climbed into a jazz time machine, how he wants the world to remember his musical legacy, along with much more .. Dig it, kids ..


 Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Friday, August 29, 2014

Mutual Musicians Foundation Executive Director Anita Dixon

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - During this segment, we travelled down to 18 & Vine to interview the Executive Director of the Mutual Musicians Foundation - Anita Dixon – This staple and legendary institution in the heart of America’s jazz hug is the reason why Kansas City Jazz was put on the map and Anita has big plans for the upcoming 100th Year Celebration in 2017. Over the course of a candid interview, she spoke about the sacred history of Kansas City’s Local 627 .. How it began, the incredible history and what’s next .. To Understand Kansas City Jazz, you have to understand the Mutual Musicians Foundation .. Dig it, my friends ..


 Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Jazz Legend Jimmy Cobb

Welcome to another very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - During this episode, we had the honor of interviewing legendary jazz drummer Jimmy Cobb – Over the course of an open conversation about his life, the last surviving member of the famed ‘Kind of Blue’ session – One of the best jazz records ever recorded with Miles Davis, Jimmy talked about that particular recording day and what Miles taught him over the years. In addition to that, he reflected on a long, winding jazz career that has taken him all over the world and on countless stages with the best in jazz .. He also talks about his latest album and what is next in a legendary career .. Dig it, my friends .. 


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Friday, August 8, 2014

Florida Jazz Singer Erica DiCeglie

Welcome to a the Neon Jazz interview with Florida jazz singer Erica DiCeglie  ..  During a recent interview, she talked about her life and jazz career .. Raised in Maine, she moved to New York City and got involved with the urban shuffle, then made her way down to her current home of Florida .. She has been dubbed the singer with an angelic voice .. She’s working on new material and there’s plenty out there for jazz fans to dig .. And now, for the full interview .. Dig it ..  


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Monday, August 4, 2014

KC Jazz Legend Bobby Watson Speaks with Neon Jazz

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - On this edition, we had the honor of interviewing legendary Kansas City post box saxophonist  Bobby Watson – During a candid conversation, Bobby spoke to Neon Jazz about a life well lived in the jazz world and all the tributaries that have led to his legendary status .. especially in Kansas City  .. He spoke about his time with the Jazz Messengers and all the sage advice Art Blakey bestowed upon him, the many gigs and musicians he has played with over the years, his newest album Cash Checking Day in honor of Dr. King’s 50th Anniversary of his I have a Dream Speech, along with his thoughts on the renaissance culture of jazz going down in KC during 2014 .. He’s a musician and educator and he has a lot to say .. Dig it, my friends ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Legendary Jazz Alto Saxophonist Lou Donaldson

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - On this edition, we had the honor of interviewing the legendary alto saxophonist  Lou Donaldson – During an open, raw and refreshing conversation, Lou spoke to Neon Jazz about anything and everything that he felt worthy  .. Initially, we spoke about the influence Charlie Parker’s playing had on him, time playing in Kansas City, the legends he has shared the stage with, recently becoming an NEA Jazz Master and many other things .. And do me this favor .. Dig it, my friends ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Talented Jazz Drummer Stockton Helbing

Welcome to a the Neon Jazz interview with talented Jazz Drummer Stockton Helbing .. During a candid interview, he spoke about being born in St. Louis – Living in a music rich Dallas, Texas these days .. how his dream of learning and gigging with the musician that turned him onto jazz  -  Maynard Ferbuson – ended up coming true .. He’s also active with the great Doc Severinson, he also talks his new album coming out on July 8th called Handprints along with hero talk and much more .. Dig it ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Talented ER Doctor & Alto Saxophonist Doc Stewart Neon Jazz Interview

Welcome to a the Neon Jazz interview Alto Saxophonist Doc Stewart .. Along with the music, Doc is a prominent ER doc with the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix .. Raised on a farm outside of Chicago, he won a talent competition at Disneyland in high school and went on to fall in love with jazz .. But, it has been both medicine and jazz that has kept him going for all these years .. He recently released his new album Code Blue, which is a tasty jazz listen, and talks about that and many more things that make the good doc play in the imrpov realm of jazz while delving into the precise nature of the ER .. Dig it ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Monday, June 23, 2014

Kansas City's John Velghe of the Prodigal Sons

In anticipation of the new album by John Velghe & The Prodigal Sons, "Organ Donor Blues," John Velghe opens up about his life. He talks about his career up to this point, his hero, his band and everything else that matters. We promise ..

Interviewed by Zen Dimino-Klok
Shot & Edited by Joe Dimino
Directed by Miles Dimino

To get the new album and for all things related to John Velghe and the Prodigal Sons .. go here: http://johnvelghe.com/

Click here to listen.

Friday, June 20, 2014

An Interview with the Great Jazz Pianist Lenny Marcus

Welcome to a the Neon Jazz interview the great jazz pianist Lenny Marcus – he’s also solid with the flute and vocals with his tro .. and he’s talking about the release of his latest album Second Set and it’s just flat out good listening .. During our interview, Lenny opened up about growing up in a very music and art oriented household . .this included regular visits by the great Ray Bryant that taught him quite a bit, including honing a strong left hand .. Lenny also talks about his career,  his music on the Weather Channel .. .. along with much, much more .. Dig it ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Monday, June 16, 2014

Tampa Jazz Singer Lisa Casalino

Welcome to a the Neon Jazz interview Tampa based Jazz singer Lisa Casalino – Originally from Long Island, she has established a glowing reputation from her new base in Tampa, Florida as a the Songbird of Tampa .. She discusses her teaching career, decision to go with music full time, her latest album ‘I’m Old Fashioned’, what is next and how she will be described 20 years from now .. along with much, much more .. Dig it.


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Friday, May 23, 2014

Jazz Legend Sonny Rollins

Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series  - On this edition, we had the honor of interviewing the legendary tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins – During a very open, raw and revealing conversation, Sonny spoke about a huge number of things .. Beginning with his new live albums that have been dispersed in 3 volumes – Road Shows – and moving on into what it’s like to play live, what he learned from musicians over the years, about being famous and much more .. Dig it, my friends ..

Click here.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Catching Up with Busy Kansas City Trumpeter Hermon Mehari

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with the ambassador of the KC trumpet and the current scene, Hermon Mehari .. During a May 2014 Interview with Neon Jazz with Joe Dimino, we catch up with a musician that has been very busy since our first interview back in 2012 .. He talks about his recent album recorded in Paris following a Kickstarter online campign, winning the Charlotte Street Performance Award and a whole lot more about how he continues to etch a historic jazz memory in Kansas City and beyond .. 


 Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listenon Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Friday, April 25, 2014

An Interview with Talented KC Jazz Trumpeter E.E. Pointer of the River Cow Orchestra

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with the very talented trumpeter and member of the Zen jazz rich River Cow Orchestra .. E.E. Pointer .. On a recent Interview with Neon Jazz, E.E. was candid about a life well lived in teaching, playing jazz, and as a family man .. He discussed an early encounter with Chuck Berry, the many gigs that led to his present status with The River Cow Orchestra today, who his jazz luminaries are, why Miles Davis matters, along with a host of other wise words and stories ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Friday, April 18, 2014

An Interview with KC Jazz Legend Dr. Nathan Davis

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with hard bop jazz multi-instrumentalist Dr. Nathan Davis – Born in Kansas City, Kansas, this towering talent plays the tenor saxophone, soprano saxophone, bass clarinet and flute, and very notably  has been has been a professor of music and the director of jazz studies at the University of Pittsburgh since 1969 – Over a storied career, he has playing with cats like Eric Dolphy, Kenny Clarke, Ray Charles, Slide Hampton and Art Blakey .. During our interview, we talk about his legendary career and reflect on what else is left to accomplish on the eve of a special  all-star evening at the Gem Theatre where he will receive The Lifetime Achievement Award on April 19, 2014 .. along with much more .. 


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Wise & Talented NYC Trombonist & Jazz Orchestra Director David White

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with the very wise and talented David White .. He’s the New York City based trombonist and leader of the David White Jazz Orchestra ..  He recently spoke with Neon Jazz about growing up in Buffalo, NY, running his own record label, his jazz education, recent Kickstarter campaign to finance in April 8, 2014 release of ‘the chase’, along with much more.

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Monday, March 24, 2014

KC Jazz Guitarist & Jazz For Good Founder Doug Peete

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview KC Jazz guitarist and the brain trust behind the Organization known as Jazz For Good .. He is in charge of this inventive Kansas City not for profit organization that brings quality jazz music to a host of events around the city – From first Friday art events to cocktail parties and celebrations of all kinds .. with a mission to keep the spirit of quality Kansas City Jazz alive, Doug is bringing it to the people. Over the course of our interview he talks about his organization and his passion as a jazz musician ..  along with much more .. Dig it ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

For more information
Jazz for Good
http://jazzforgood.org/
Jazz for Good is a charitable foundation that serves other non-profit organizations in the greater Kansas City area by providing jazz artists and ensembles at their fundraising events.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

An Interview with NYC Saxophonist & Renaissance Man Russ Nolan


Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with a Renaissance man and saxophonist from New York City, Russ Nolan  ..  He recently spoke with Neon Jazz  about his latest album called Relentless .. and that’s how he lives life ..along with music, he’s active in sports, martial arts, business, after school program volunteering, educating and has some serious Salsa moves .. From the suburbs of Chicago to the jazz mecca of New York City, we talk about his journey in jazz .. along with much more ..


Click to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

The Busy & Multi-Talented NYC Drummer Shirazette Tinnin Interview

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with very talented New York City drummer Shirazette Tinnin ..  On the heels of her new album called ‘Humility: Purity of my Soul’ .. she talks about her roots in her home state of North Carolina, her jazz adventures in Chicago and how she ended up in New York City. She is a very active, smart and driven musician that is making waves in the jazz world .. we discuss this, along with much more.

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Monday, March 10, 2014

The Marr Archives Interview with the KC Ambassador of Sound Chuck Haddix

Welcome to a the Neon Jazz interview Kansas City’s Ambassador of Sound – Author and host of KCUR’s Fish Fry every weekend  .. Chuck Haddix – In his role as the Director of Sound Archives at the Marr Sound Archives, we discussed an audio and cultural gem in Kansas City. Housed in the Miller Nichols Library at UMKC, this shrine of vinyl is hugely impressive and is at over 350,000 pieces and growing under his fine stewardship .. During the course of our conversation, he sheds some light on the collection and his role over the years .. along with much, much more.


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Talented San Francisco Jazz Singer Lisa Engelken

In a new interview with Neon Jazz, San Francisco-based jazz singer Lisa Engelken covered a wide array of topics. From growing up in Kansas to living in Italy and all the adventures in between, she talks about her latest album 'Little Warrior' and what jazz musician she would love to meet. Dig ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

An Interview with Veteran KC Hammond B-3 Jazz Organist Ken Lovern

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview Kansas City Hammond B3 Man, Ken Lovern ..  He spoke with Neon Jazz about a life well lived in the Kansas City jazz scene  .. From Kansas City, MO, he talked about seeing how he settled on the Hammond B-3, his years gigging around KC and what some of his future plans are, along with much more .. Dig it, kids ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com or on Tunein Radio via the Internet at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/