Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Samir Zarif (FKAjazz) Interview | Intrepid Sun: You Are the Sun, Again | Jazztronica & Modern Jazz

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

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Monday, July 27, 2026

Ray Negron Interview | Yankees, George Steinbrenner, Dwight Gooden & Bronx Zoo Stories

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Ray Negrón—New York Yankees Special Assistant and Consultant, New York Times bestselling author, Emmy Award-winning producer, columnist, SAG member, and one of the most beloved figures in Yankees history.

Ray's extraordinary story began more than 50 years ago when, at just 17 years old, he was caught spray-painting graffiti on a wall at Yankee Stadium by legendary Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Instead of sending him to jail, Steinbrenner gave Ray an unforgettable second chance by making him the New York Yankees batboy—a life-changing decision that launched one of the most remarkable careers in baseball.

Ray quickly became part of the legendary "Bronx Zoo" Yankees of the 1970s, working alongside manager Billy Martin, Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, captain Thurman Munson, and many other baseball legends. Over the next 37 years, Ray and George Steinbrenner built a relationship rooted in mentorship, loyalty, and friendship that lasted until Steinbrenner's passing in 2010.

In this compelling conversation, Ray also shares the deeply personal story of his friendship with Dwight "Doc" Gooden, his efforts to help Gooden rebuild his life through the Yankees organization, and why he believes the former Cy Young Award winner deserves a place in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

This is a powerful conversation about baseball, loyalty, redemption, friendship, and the incredible impact one act of kindness can have on a life.

Learn more about Ray Negrón:
https://theraynegronstory.com/

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Melyssa Jaskiewicz Interview | Leveling the Fields Founder on Girls in Sports, Leadership & Equity

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Melyssa Jaskiewicz, Founder and Executive Director of Leveling the Fields (LTF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing girls' participation in sports as a catalyst for leadership, confidence, resilience, and lifelong success.

After more than 20 years in business development and over 15 years in the professional sports and sports technology industries, Melyssa launched Leveling the Fields to create greater access and opportunity for girls through athletics. Today, she leads a passionate team of more than 30 volunteers, overseeing strategy, fundraising, partnerships, and program expansion while building a scalable model with plans for national growth.

In just its first two years, Leveling the Fields successfully launched programs across multiple schools and delivered 17 impactful programs, empowering young girls to discover the life-changing benefits of sports participation.

Before founding LTF, Melyssa served as Vice President of Sales at Sideline Sports, where she developed relationships with nearly every professional sports team in the United States and helped launch and grow innovative digital sports technology products.

Whether you're passionate about youth development, leadership, women's sports, nonprofit organizations, or entrepreneurship, Melyssa shares valuable insights on creating opportunities that can transform lives.

Learn more about Melyssa Jaskiewicz:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melyssajaskiewicz/

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Trea Da Fit Artist Interview | Fitness Coach, Podcast Host & Helping Creatives Build Stronger Lives

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Trea Da Fit Artist—online fitness coach, personal trainer, music artist, entrepreneur, and host of the Sculpt N Create Podcast. As the founder of Next World Fitness, Trea is on a mission to help artists, entertainers, entrepreneurs, and high-achieving creatives build healthier bodies, stronger mindsets, and sustainable lifestyles that fuel success.

Based in Mississippi, Trea combines fitness, creativity, discipline, and personal development into a philosophy that goes far beyond physical appearance. He believes true fitness is about having the energy, confidence, focus, and resilience needed to perform at your highest level—in business, music, creativity, and everyday life.

Through coaching, content creation, and his podcast, Trea inspires people to pursue their goals without sacrificing who they are, proving that physical wellness and creative excellence can go hand in hand.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, artist, athlete, or someone striving to become your best self, Trea shares practical advice and motivating insights for building lasting success from the inside out.

Learn more about Trea Da Fit Artist & Next World Fitness:
https://www.nextworldfitness.com/

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Lindsay Little Interview | Somatic Practitioner on Embodiment, Nervous System Healing & Presence

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with somatic practitioner Lindsay Little, whose work helps people reconnect with their bodies, regulate their nervous systems, and cultivate a deeper sense of presence, resilience, and authentic living.

Lindsay's journey began with a question about her own body. As a dedicated runner, weightlifter, and systems thinker, she became fascinated by how the body could move more efficiently, recover more effectively, and function with greater ease. That curiosity led her into the worlds of massage therapy, yoga, breathwork, and somatic practices, where she has spent years studying the interconnected relationships between movement, breath, energy, emotions, and mindset.

Today, Lindsay helps people reconnect with their essential selves by exploring how the body stores experience and how greater awareness can unlock healing, confidence, and personal empowerment. Her work encourages individuals to move beyond limiting stories, external expectations, and unconscious patterns to discover a more grounded and authentic way of living.

Whether you're interested in personal growth, wellness, mental health, or understanding how the body influences our everyday lives, this conversation offers practical insights and thoughtful perspectives.

Learn more about Lindsay Little:
https://somalingua.com/

If you enjoy interviews with wellness experts, authors, therapists, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders, please subscribe, like, and share for more episodes of Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino.

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Dr. Scott Sadlon Interview | Songs from Thin Air (2026) | Jazz Drummer, Dentist & One-Take Improvisation

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

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Sunday, July 26, 2026

Kevin Du Interview | Somewhere, a Butterfly Sings (2026) | Jazz Pianist, Composer & Arranger

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.

Enjoy this inspiring conversation!

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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