Ruthie Dineen & Andrew Lion Interview | Cycles I (2026) | Negative Press Project & Friction Quartet

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

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Ted Rosenthal Interview | Trios in 4 Acts | Four Jazz Albums, Piano Trio & Improvisation

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/

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Jesse Weinstein Interview | NYC Employment Attorney, Former Prosecutor & Navy Veteran on Workplace Rights

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Jesse Weinstein—New York City employment attorney, law firm partner, former Bronx prosecutor, U.S. Navy combat veteran, and trusted advocate for executives, employees, and entertainment professionals navigating some of today's most challenging workplace disputes.

After serving his country in the U.S. Navy and prosecuting cases in the Bronx, Jesse transitioned into employment law, where he now represents individuals facing workplace retaliation, wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, executive separations, and other high-stakes employment matters. His mission is to help clients protect their careers, reputations, and futures while explaining complex legal issues in clear, practical language.

Drawing on his unique background in military service, criminal prosecution, and employment litigation, Jesse offers valuable insights into leadership, resilience, justice, and standing up for what's right.

Whether you're a business professional, executive, entrepreneur, HR leader, or simply interested in the evolving world of workplace law, this conversation provides practical insights and an inspiring personal story.

Learn more about Jesse Weinstein:
Website
LinkedIn

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Ben Barbic Interview | Rise & Climb Author, Musician & Producer on Recovery, Creativity & Resilience

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Ben Barbic—author of the memoir Rise & Climb, musician behind Rebel Sound, producer, audio engineer, real estate professional, and creative entrepreneur whose life story is one of resilience, discipline, and transformation.

Ben's remarkable journey begins with surviving two devastating childhood disasters—a wildfire that destroyed his family home and, four years later, an earthquake that destroyed another. Those early experiences shaped a life dedicated to rebuilding, creating, and continually climbing forward.

Today, Ben has built a career across multiple disciplines. As a musician, producer, and audio engineer, he creates music from his professional home studio while also pursuing writing, fitness, entrepreneurship, and real estate. His philosophy is that creative work and personal discipline are the same muscle—both requiring consistency, resilience, and purpose. 

From his home base in San Jose, California, Ben shares honest insights into overcoming adversity, finding purpose, and creating a meaningful life through consistent action and creativity.

This is an inspiring story of resilience, reinvention, and the power of choosing to rise every day.

Learn more about Ben Barbic:
https://www.risenclimb.com/

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Tiffany Sharp Interview | Diamond AI Founder & CEO on Trauma-Informed AI, Innovation & Human-Centered Technology

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Tiffany Sharp, Founder and CEO of Diamond AI, a social impact technology company transforming how people access healthcare, community services, and critical support through trauma-informed artificial intelligence.

Tiffany is the visionary behind MAE, an AI-powered platform designed to help individuals navigate complex health, social service, and community resource systems with greater clarity, compassion, and accessibility.

Before launching Diamond AI, Tiffany spent more than 20 years leading technology and business transformation initiatives in the energy industry. But it was her own personal experience with trauma that inspired a new mission: using technology to solve deeply human challenges by making it easier for people to find the help they need, exactly when they need it.

In this inspiring conversation, Tiffany shares how resilience, purpose, and innovation came together to create a company focused on putting people first in the age of AI.

Whether you're interested in artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, leadership, or technology for good, Tiffany offers valuable insights into creating solutions that truly improve lives.

Learn more about Tiffany Sharp and Diamond AI:
https://thediamondplace.org/

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Tomas Janzon Interview | Jazz Diary (2026) | Acclaimed Jazz Guitarist on Creativity & Composition

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed jazz guitarist, composer, and returning guest Tomas Janzon.

We welcome back a good friend of the show to discuss his remarkable 2026 album, Jazz Diary—a deeply personal project that captures the everyday creative process behind his music.

The inspiration for Jazz Diary came from early morning practice sessions, late-night musical discoveries, and quiet coffee breaks where Tomas would sketch melodic ideas with a 2B pencil onto the same four-sided sheets of paper he carries wherever he travels. Over time, these handwritten musical journals evolved into a compelling collection of original compositions, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the mind of an improvising artist.

In this conversation, Tomas shares how daily discipline, travel, observation, and spontaneous inspiration shape his music. We also discuss creativity, the current cultural landscape, America today, jazz composition, and the lifelong pursuit of artistic expression.

As always, it's a pleasure catching up with one of today's most thoughtful and inventive jazz guitarists.

Get the album:
https://tomasjanzon.bandcamp.com/album/jazz-diary

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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Paul Comfort Interview | Find Your X Factor Author on Career Purpose, Leadership & Finding Fulfillment

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Paul Comfort—bestselling author of Find Your X Factor, passionate keynote speaker, leadership expert, media host, and high-energy communicator dedicated to helping people discover meaningful careers and purposeful lives.

Throughout an extraordinary career spanning executive leadership in government and public transportation, elected public office, and national media, Paul has reached the highest levels in multiple professions. Along the way, he noticed a common challenge among high achievers: many people are successful on paper, yet feel disconnected, exhausted, and unfulfilled in their work.

Through decades of leadership experience and hundreds of conversations with executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals, Paul has developed a practical framework for helping people identify their unique strengths, reconnect with their passions, and pursue careers that align with who they truly are.

Whether you're considering a career change, looking for greater fulfillment, or seeking to become a stronger leader, Paul's insights offer practical guidance for living and working with purpose.

Learn more about Paul Comfort:
https://www.findyourxfactor.ai/

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