Canadian Jazz Saxophonist John Sweenie Talks Debut Album Mysticism for Intellectuals & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Canadian jazz saxophonist, composer, educator, and researcher John Sweenie.

We caught up with John to discuss his debut album, Mysticism for Intellectuals, and his unique journey through the worlds of jazz performance, composition, education, and scholarly research.

Recorded live over two nights at the legendary The Yardbird Suite, the album features an all-star ensemble and captures the energy, spontaneity, and depth of modern jazz performance. Mysticism for Intellectuals exists at the fascinating intersection of rigorous study and intuitive expression, reflecting John's ongoing effort to reconcile analytical understanding with artistic instinct.

In this conversation, we explore his roots in the bebop tradition, the influence of Black American Improvised Music, the process of internalizing and transmitting improvisational language, and how his work bridges performance, composition, and research. We also discuss the making of the album, live recording, jazz education, creative development, and the future of improvisational music.

John's thoughtful approach offers a compelling perspective on how jazz continues to evolve while remaining deeply connected to its rich traditions.

Learn more and get the album:
John Sweenie Official Website 

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Serial Entrepreneur Bob Campana on Building, Losing & Rebuilding Businesses

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with serial entrepreneur, business leader, and author Bob Campana.

For more than four decades, Bob has lived the realities of entrepreneurship across multiple industries, including hospitality, travel, real estate, and aviation. Throughout his career, he has experienced the highs of building successful companies, the challenges of setbacks and losses, and the resilience required to pivot, adapt, and rebuild.

His latest book, Don't Look Down! The Improbable Adventures and Battle-Tested Lessons of a Serial Entrepreneur, captures the remarkable lessons, adventures, and insights gained from a lifetime of taking risks and pursuing opportunity. From founding one of Modesto's most beloved restaurants to leading international travel experiences and business ventures, Bob's journey offers valuable wisdom for entrepreneurs, business owners, leaders, and anyone pursuing ambitious goals.

In this conversation, we discuss entrepreneurship, leadership, resilience, risk-taking, overcoming failure, business growth, innovation, personal development, and the experiences that shaped his unique path.

Learn more about Bob Campana:
Bob Campana Official Website

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Brooklyn Jazz Pianist Yvonne Rogers on the 2026 Album The Button Jar & Her Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Brooklyn-based jazz pianist, composer, and improviser Yvonne Rogers.

We caught up with Yvonne to discuss her compelling 2026 solo piano album The Button Jar, a deeply personal and imaginative recording inspired by childhood memories, creativity, and artistic exploration. Growing up in rural Maine, Yvonne often found herself immersed in nature and imagination, drawing inspiration from the world around her. One enduring image was the button jar kept by her artist mother—a collection of colorful, ordinary objects that could be transformed into endless creative possibilities.

That powerful metaphor became the foundation for The Button Jar, a solo piano project that blends childlike wonder with sophisticated rhythmic and harmonic language. Produced by acclaimed pianist and composer Kris Davis, the album showcases Yvonne's distinctive voice as a composer and improviser while highlighting her ability to balance playfulness, complexity, and emotional depth.

In this conversation, we explore the making of the album, her musical journey from Maine to Brooklyn, her approach to composition and improvisation, the influence of creativity and memory on her work, and her evolving place within today's contemporary jazz scene.

Get the album and learn more:
The Button Jar on Bandcamp

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Legendary Keyboardist Mark Adams Talks This Is Neo-Soul, Roy Ayers & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring legendary jazz keyboardist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Mark Adams.

We caught up with Mark to discuss his acclaimed 2026 album This Is Neo-Soul, a powerful recording that celebrates the continuing evolution of soul, jazz, funk, and groove-based music while honoring the lasting influence of the late jazz-funk icon Roy Ayers.

Released just over a year after Ayers' passing, This Is Neo-Soul brings together fifteen all-star musicians connected to the working bands of Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith, Luther Vandross, Gloria Gaynor, Gil Scott-Heron, and Chaka Khan. The project is not simply a tribute album—it is a continuation of a musical language that Mark helped shape over more than two decades as the keyboardist, arranger, and musical anchor of Roy Ayers' touring group Ubiquity.

In this conversation, we explore Mark's remarkable career, his years on the road performing thousands of concerts around the world, the creation of This Is Neo-Soul, the enduring power of jazz-funk and neo-soul, and his vision for the future of the music.

This is a fascinating discussion with a musician who has lived at the intersection of jazz, soul, funk, improvisation, and groove for decades.

Get the album and learn more:
Mark Adams - This Is Neo-Soul 

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Nashville Jazz Bassist Jon von Boehm Talks New Album Reflections & His Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Nashville-based jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Jon von Boehm.

We caught up with this highly sought-after musician to discuss his remarkable new album Reflections, a project that stands as the culmination of decades of musical growth, artistic exploration, and personal storytelling. More than just an album, Reflections serves as a deeply personal statement, blending cinematic narratives, modern fusion, intricate compositions, and a desire to bring people together through the universal language of music.

A masterclass in contemporary jazz fusion, the album showcases Jon's extraordinary bass work, layered arrangements, technical brilliance, and commitment to creating emotionally resonant musical experiences. The project reflects both his exceptional musicianship and his passion for storytelling through sound.

Jon's musical journey spans an impressive 37 years and began in the vibrant atmosphere of church performances, where he learned the importance of collaboration, improvisation, and connecting with audiences. Those early experiences laid the foundation for a lifelong dedication to music that has taken him from local stages to becoming one of Nashville's most respected and versatile bassists.

In this interview, we discuss Reflections, jazz fusion, composition, bass playing, creativity, storytelling, community building through music, Nashville's music scene, performance, collaboration, and the experiences that shaped his career.

We get into the whole ride. Dig this interview.

Get the album and learn more:
https://jonvonboehm.com/ 

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Engineer Deepak Chari on Anxiety Relief, Biofeedback & Emotional Healing

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with engineer, entrepreneur, co-founder of the Chari Center of Health, and Certified Biofeedback Specialist Deepak Chari.

Deepak has dedicated his career to helping people identify and release hidden emotional blocks connected to stress, anxiety, past experiences, and limiting patterns. Through his innovative Life Transformation Technology™ Program and Advanced Voice Biofeedback Technology, he helps women and men achieve greater emotional healing, mental clarity, confidence, relationship success, and personal empowerment.

As an engineer and wellness innovator, Deepak combines technology, emotional awareness, and biofeedback techniques to help clients gain new insights into the subconscious patterns that influence their lives. His work focuses on helping individuals recognize and shift emotional patterns that may be holding them back from achieving healthier relationships, greater peace of mind, improved performance, and a stronger sense of purpose.

In this interview, we discuss emotional wellness, personal transformation, anxiety, stress management, biofeedback technology, mental clarity, peak performance, personal growth, relationship dynamics, entrepreneurship, emotional intelligence, healing, self-awareness, and the inspiration behind the Chari Center of Health.

From his home base in Sarasota, Florida, Deepak shares his remarkable journey, philosophy, and mission to help others create lasting change in their lives.

It's an incredible story. Enjoy this interview.

More Deepak Chari:
https://fastanxietyhelp.com/

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Philadelphia Jazz Bassist Peter Paulsen Talks TurksHeadKnot Quintet, New 2026 Album & Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with veteran Philadelphia-based jazz bassist, composer, and educator Peter Paulsen.

We caught up with Peter to discuss the new 2026 TurksHeadKnot Quintet album Would'a...Could'a...Should'a... along with his long and fascinating journey through the worlds of jazz performance, composition, and education.

The TurksHeadKnot Quintet has developed a distinctive musical identity by combining the discipline and structural precision of modern classical composition with the freedom, spontaneity, and expressive power of jazz improvisation. Their music creates a unique sonic landscape filled with adventurous interplay, sophisticated arrangements, and compelling original works.

The ensemble’s repertoire includes newly commissioned compositions along with imaginative arrangements drawn from a wide range of musical influences and traditions. Through this innovative approach, Peter Paulsen and the TurksHeadKnot Quintet continue pushing creative boundaries while maintaining deep roots in jazz artistry and collaboration.

In this interview, we discuss jazz bass, music education, composition, improvisation, modern jazz ensembles, classical influences in jazz, Philadelphia’s jazz scene, ensemble leadership, creativity, and the making of Would'a...Could'a...Should'a....

Peter reflects on decades of performing, teaching, composing, and helping shape future generations of musicians while continuing to evolve artistically himself.

We cover his entire ride. Dig this interview.

Get the album & more:
https://www.katesmithpromotions.com/artists/peter-paulsen/ 

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