From Medicine to Music | Mark Tonelli Talks Brasiliana, Jazz Guitar & Brazilian Music

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Illinois-based jazz guitarist, composer, educator, and Fulbright Scholar Mark Tonelli. We got into his new 2026 album Brasiliana and his fascinating path through the world of jazz and Brazilian music.

This breakthrough release blends the vibrant rhythms, melodies, and spirit of Brazilian music with the creativity and improvisation of contemporary jazz. Featuring an all-star Brazilian cast of musicians, Brasiliana is the result of years of cultural immersion, collaboration, travel, and musical exploration.

Between 2022 and 2025, Mark made thirteen trips to Brazil. His first visit came as a Fulbright Scholar teaching music at a university, and just a few years later he returned as a Fulbright Scholar once again — this time to create and record Brasiliana.

Mark’s life story is equally compelling. His path moved from medicine to architecture before ultimately leading him fully into music, jazz guitar, education, composition, and international artistic collaboration.

In this interview, we discuss Brazilian jazz, guitar improvisation, cultural exchange, Fulbright experiences, composition, jazz education, travel, creativity, world music influences, live performance, and the inspiration behind Brasiliana.

We also dive into the remarkable journey that shaped his life and music. Dig this interview.

Get the album:
https://marktonelli.bandcamp.com/album/brasiliana

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Acclaimed Jazz Singer Lisanne Lyons - New Album 'May I Come In' & Her Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Miami-based acclaimed jazz singer, educator, and performer Lisanne Lyons. We take a deep dive into her new 2026 release May I Come In along with her celebrated journey through the world of jazz.

Possessing a beautiful voice, a natural sense of swing, and a deep connection to the Great American Songbook tradition, Lisanne brings timeless jazz storytelling into a contemporary setting. For this project, she collaborated with arranger Mike Lewis to create lush orchestral arrangements performed by an outstanding jazz orchestra featuring some of Miami and New York’s finest musicians.

Lisanne’s professional career began immediately after high school as a featured vocalist for the United States Air Force Bands, where she traveled and performed around the world. Over the years, she has shared the stage with jazz legends and ensembles including the Woody Herman Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau, Arturo Sandoval, Larry Elgart, and many more.

In this interview, we discuss jazz vocals, big band music, swing, improvisation, the Great American Songbook, arranging, performance, jazz education, touring, collaboration, and the inspiration behind May I Come In.

She’s full of wisdom, musical insight, and unforgettable stories from decades in jazz. Enjoy this interview with Lisanne Lyons.

Get the album:
https://originarts.com/oa2/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=22248

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Certified Life Coach Dave Johnson on Sobriety, Homelessness & Transformation

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with certified life coach, sobriety advocate, motivational speaker, and survivor Dave Johnson.

After spending 31 years battling addiction — including four years homeless and living out of his car — Dave has transformed his life through sobriety, mindset work, psychology, discipline, and personal growth. Now more than three years sober, he is dedicated to helping others not only stay sober, but also discover a new perspective on life, resilience, and self-worth.

Dave’s story is one of extraordinary perseverance and transformation. At just 18 years old, he survived a devastating head-on collision with a diesel truck and was pronounced dead at the scene. Doctors told him it would take a year to walk again, yet he recovered in just three and a half months. Later, he confronted and conquered his fears through martial arts and cage fighting, using the discipline and mindset from five different martial arts styles to completely reshape his approach to life.

From his base in Arizona, we discuss addiction recovery, sobriety, homelessness, psychology, motivation, resilience, mindset, trauma, personal transformation, martial arts, life coaching, mental strength, overcoming adversity, and helping others reclaim their lives.

This is a powerful story of survival, growth, redemption, and purpose. Enjoy this inspiring conversation with Dave Johnson.

More Dave Johnson:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpcQWkiIYpm7jztWHfjQJYg 

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Rising Jazz Star Shenel Johns on Her Debut Album Stars, Faith, Freedom & Artistic Evolution

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz bandleader, vocalist, and storyteller Shenel Johns. We take a deep dive into her highly anticipated debut album Stars, arriving in Summer 2026, along with her career, upcoming performances, and artistic evolution.

This debut project marks a major milestone in Shenel’s journey following years of celebrated work as a featured jazz vocalist, ensemble leader, and performer with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Produced by Grammy-winning artist Kamau Kenyatta, the new release showcases her powerful voice, emotional storytelling, and bold artistic identity.

On May 16, Shenel celebrates the release of her new EP with a debut performance at the La Jolla Music Society in San Diego, California, followed by an official album release celebration on August 20, 2026, at the legendary Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Originally from Hartford, Connecticut, Shenel was first drawn to jazz as a form of rebellion against her strict religious upbringing in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Since then, she has built an extraordinary career that includes earning the #1 spot on BBC Classical Radio as a vocalist in a jazz ensemble, while The Boston Globe described her as “history in the making.”

In this interview, we discuss jazz vocals, bandleading, creativity, live performance, faith, personal growth, storytelling, contemporary jazz, artistic freedom, collaboration, and the inspiration behind Stars.

We cover the whole story. Enjoy this inspiring and powerful conversation with Shenel Johns.

More Shenel Johns:
https://www.sheneljohns.com/

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Accent Coach Jay Poulton Talks Executive Presence, Communication & The Authority Gap

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with author, former journalist, executive leadership coach, and communication expert Jay Poulton.

This ICF-credentialed executive coach brings more than two decades of experience in communications, journalism, leadership development, and coaching. As founder of The Accent Coach, Jay works one-on-one with senior leaders in more than thirty-five countries, including executives at Apple, Amazon, and FedEx.

At the heart of his work is what he calls “The Authority Gap” — the distance between what a leader is truly capable of and what others actually hear, perceive, and respond to. Through communication coaching, executive presence training, and leadership development, Jay helps leaders strengthen clarity, confidence, influence, and authentic connection.

Growing up in Canada with a father connected to the legendary Montreal Canadiens organization also played a meaningful role in shaping his perspective, communication style, and life journey. From his base in Canada, we dive into his fascinating career, leadership philosophy, coaching work, storytelling, communication strategies, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

In this interview, we discuss executive communication, leadership presence, public speaking, confidence, accent coaching, personal growth, emotional intelligence, coaching, influence, storytelling, career evolution, and professional development.

He’s full of wisdom, insight, and practical strategies for leaders everywhere. Enjoy this interview with Jay Poulton.

More Jay Poulton & The Accent Coach:
https://www.theaccentcoach.com/

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Executive Coach & Consultant Loala McCann Talks HR, Leadership Transitions & Success

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with executive coach, consultant, and leadership strategist Loala McCann.

She is the guiding force behind Intrinsic Consulting, where she specializes in helping leaders successfully navigate career transitions, promotions, organizational change, and pivotal leadership moments. Before launching her coaching and consulting practice, Loala spent years in senior HR leadership roles within the healthcare and medical technology industries, most recently leading HR teams for a global medical device company based in the Seattle area.

Today, she brings that valuable insider perspective to her executive coaching work, helping leaders and teams unlock their potential, strengthen communication, elevate performance, and lead with greater clarity, confidence, and effectiveness.

From her base in Seattle, we discuss executive coaching, leadership development, career transitions, emotional intelligence, workplace culture, organizational leadership, HR strategy, business growth, team performance, mindset, communication, and navigating change in today’s evolving professional world.

This is an insightful conversation filled with leadership wisdom, practical strategies, and inspiring perspectives on growth and transformation. Enjoy this interview with Loala McCann.

More Loala McCann & Intrinsic Consulting:
http://intrinsicnow.com/

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Jazz Guitarist Phil Sargent on New Album Slow Motions & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Boston-based veteran jazz guitarist, composer, and educator Phil Sargent. We got into his new 2026 album Slow Motions and his fascinating life in the world of jazz.

This new solo guitar album is less about technical display and more an invitation into stillness, reflection, and deep listening. Slow Motions reimagines jazz standards and original compositions through the lens of classical counterpoint, chromatic harmony, improvisation, and subtle emotional storytelling — capturing the guitar as a complete, breathing ensemble rather than a single instrument.

Over the course of his career, Phil has worked with acclaimed musicians including Dave Liebman, Antonio Sanchez, Jerry Bergonzi, and many others. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he leads his own group whose music draws from a wide range of influences including modern jazz improvisation, odd meters, and the Eastern tonalities of Balkan music traditions.

In this interview, we discuss jazz guitar, improvisation, composition, solo performance, harmony, creative process, contemporary jazz, world music influences, live performance, and the inspiration behind Slow Motions.

It’s a thoughtful and inspiring conversation filled with insight into artistry, creativity, and the evolving language of jazz guitar. Enjoy this interview with Phil Sargent.

Get the album & learn more:
https://www.philsargentmusic.com/

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