Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Ted Chubb Interview | Live at the Statuary – Jersey City (2026) | Jazz Trumpeter, Composer & Educator

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed New Jersey-based jazz trumpeter, composer, educator, and bandleader Ted Chubb.

On this episode, we dive into his outstanding 2026 live album, Live at the Statuary – Jersey City, and explore a remarkable career devoted to performance, education, and building a thriving jazz community.

For more than two decades, Ted Chubb has been a driving force in the Jersey City jazz scene. As a bandleader, composer, artistic director, educator at Princeton University, and co-owner of The Statuary, he has helped create a vibrant home for live jazz while mentoring the next generation of musicians.

Born in Ashtabula, Ohio, Ted grew up in a deeply musical family where piano-centered gatherings sparked his love for music. His artistic path was forever changed after discovering Miles Davis' 'Round About Midnight and Lee Morgan with Art Blakey on A Night in Tunisia. Those legendary recordings helped shape the melodic, bebop, and blues-rooted style that defines his playing today.

During our conversation, we discuss the making of Live at the Statuary – Jersey City, the importance of live performance, jazz education, building community through music, balancing teaching and performing, the influence of jazz legends, improvisation, and the enduring power of straight-ahead jazz.

If you love modern jazz, hard bop, live recordings, or discovering today's leading trumpet voices, this is an interview you won't want to miss.

Get the album and learn more:
http://www.tedchubb.com/

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Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Lisa Renee Pitts Interview | A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical Comes to Kansas City July 2026

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with Lisa Renee Pitts, cast member of the hit Broadway national tour, A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.

As the acclaimed production prepares for its Kansas City engagement at Starlight Theatre from July 7–12, 2026, Lisa shares her remarkable journey from her Brooklyn roots to performing in one of America's most celebrated musical productions. Created in collaboration with Neil Diamond himself, A Beautiful Noise tells the inspiring true story of how a kid from Brooklyn became one of the biggest recording artists and performers in music history.

Packed with timeless classics including "Sweet Caroline," "America," "Cracklin' Rosie," "Song Sung Blue," "I Am... I Said," and many more, the production celebrates the life, music, and enduring legacy of Neil Diamond through unforgettable performances and spectacular staging.

During our conversation, Lisa talks about joining the national touring cast, growing up in Brooklyn, meeting Neil Diamond after a performance, life on the road, performing for audiences across America, bringing the show to Kansas City, and what makes this musical resonate with fans of every generation.

Recorded while the tour was making a stop in Hershey, Pennsylvania, this interview offers an inside look at one of Broadway's biggest touring productions before it arrives in Kansas City.

Learn more about the musical:
https://abeautifulnoisethemusical.com/

Get Kansas City tickets at Starlight Theatre:
https://tickets.kcstarlight.com/beautiful-noise

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Doug Johnston Interview | Choosing Emotions, Lexicography, Psychology & Defining 272 Human Emotions

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with author, expert lexicographer, former corporate executive, litigation consulting expert, and world champion sailor Doug Johnston.

Doug joins us to discuss his groundbreaking book, Choosing Emotions, the culmination of nine years of interdisciplinary research into one of humanity's most enduring questions: What exactly are emotions?

Drawing from more than 3,000 years of recorded thought, Choosing Emotions presents the first comprehensive cross-disciplinary reference defining 272 everyday emotional states. The work synthesizes ideas from philosophy, psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, science, literature, art, and spiritual traditions to create an entirely new way of understanding the emotional landscape of human experience.

Before becoming an author, Doug built a distinguished career in banking, private equity, and litigation consulting while also earning recognition as a world champion sailor. His unique background gives him a practical and analytical perspective on motivation, decision-making, communication, and emotional intelligence.

In this fascinating conversation, we explore the origins of Choosing Emotions, why emotional vocabulary matters, how language shapes human behavior, emotional intelligence, psychology, philosophy, neuroscience, personal growth, and what understanding emotions can teach us about ourselves and others.

Whether you're interested in psychology, leadership, self-improvement, communication, linguistics, or human behavior, this is a conversation filled with insight and practical wisdom.

Enjoy this interview.

Get the book and learn more:
https://choosingemotions.com/

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Andrew Ingkavet Interview | Former MTV VJ, Musicolor Method, Superpowers Through Music & Music Education

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. On this episode, we talk with former MTV VJ, music education innovator, author, entrepreneur, and founder of the Musicolor Method, Andrew Ingkavet.

Andrew is the visionary behind a revolutionary approach to music education that has transformed the lives of thousands of children around the world. After beginning his career in music and television as an MTV VJ, he followed his passion by building one of the world's most innovative music education programs, helping children develop confidence, creativity, resilience, and lifelong learning skills through music.

His upcoming book, Superpowers Through Music, explores how music education goes far beyond learning an instrument. It demonstrates how music helps children build focus, emotional intelligence, problem-solving abilities, confidence, and the adaptability needed to thrive in today's rapidly changing world.

Andrew's work has been especially impactful for neurodivergent learners, homeschool families, and students who benefit from creative, personalized learning environments. Through the Musicolor Method, he has reimagined how music can become a powerful tool for cognitive development, emotional growth, and academic success.

In this conversation, we discuss his fascinating journey from aspiring rock star to MTV personality, the founding of the Musicolor Method, entrepreneurship, innovative education, child development, creativity, homeschooling, neurodiversity, leadership, and the lifelong impact of music.

This is an inspiring conversation for parents, educators, musicians, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in unlocking human potential through creativity.

Enjoy this interview.

Learn more about Andrew Ingkavet:
https://andrewingkavet.com/

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Jussi Lampela Interview | Common Ground (2026), Finnish Jazz Composer, Ambient Jazz & Electronica

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Finland-based composer, arranger, and bandleader Jussi Lampela.

On this episode, we dive into his outstanding 2026 album, Common Ground, an immersive musical journey that blends contemporary jazz, ambient music, and electronica into a rich and cinematic listening experience. The album showcases Lampela's unique compositional voice, seamlessly combining atmospheric textures, sophisticated jazz harmony, orchestral sensibilities, and modern production.

Known for his work across film, television, and the concert stage, Jussi has built an impressive career composing, orchestrating, and arranging music for ensembles of every size—from intimate duos to full symphony orchestras. His ability to move effortlessly between genres has made him one of Finland's most versatile and innovative musical creators.

During our conversation, we discuss the inspiration behind Common Ground, composing for jazz ensembles, writing for film and television, orchestration, arranging, the European jazz scene, ambient music, electronica, creativity, and how today's musical landscape encourages artists to blur traditional genre boundaries.

Enjoy this interview.

Get the album:
https://jussilampelaensemble.bandcamp.com/album/common-ground

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Thursday, June 25, 2026

Jaana Narsipur Interview | 2026 Album The Re-Collection, Reimagining '80s Pop Through Jazz & Her Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with India-born, New York City-based jazz vocalist Jaana Narsipur.

On this episode, we explore her captivating new 2026 album, The Re-Collection, a fresh and imaginative jazz interpretation of beloved 1980s pop classics. Featuring inspired arrangements of songs by Kate Bush, Eurythmics, Joe Jackson, and other iconic artists, Jaana transforms familiar favorites into sophisticated modern jazz performances filled with swing, improvisation, and emotional depth.

Following her acclaimed 2022 debut album, Better Than Anything, which showcased original arrangements honoring jazz legends Horace Silver and Bob Dorough, Jaana continues to establish herself as one of today's most inventive jazz vocalists.

Born in India and raised in the United States, Jaana's musical journey began at an early age, singing along to Simon & Garfunkel before embracing traditional Indian music with her family. During college in Chicago, she discovered jazz through jam sessions, immersing herself in the city's rich jazz tradition while developing her unique voice as an interpreter, arranger, and storyteller.

In this conversation, we discuss The Re-Collection, arranging pop music for jazz ensembles, vocal improvisation, the influence of Indian and American musical traditions, growing as an artist, the New York jazz scene, and her creative process.

If you enjoy vocal jazz, creative arrangements, contemporary jazz, or hearing classic pop songs transformed through the language of jazz, this episode is for you.

Enjoy this interview.

Get the album:
https://jaananarsipur.bandcamp.com/

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Christian Dillingham Interview | Grammy-Winning Jazz Bassist on As It Relates to Now (2026)

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Grammy Award-winning jazz bassist, composer, educator, and bandleader Christian Dillingham.

On this episode, we discuss his outstanding 2026 release, As It Relates to Now, an album featuring eight original compositions performed by a stellar trio with acclaimed alto saxophonist Greg Ward and drummer Jeremy Cunningham. Together, they create a compelling musical landscape that moves effortlessly between groove-driven modern jazz, blues-infused expression, and adventurous improvisation.

A cornerstone of Chicago's vibrant creative music scene, Christian Dillingham has built an impressive career spanning both jazz and classical music. His artistry has led him to perform and record alongside some of today's most respected musicians, including Sean Jones, Jeff "Tain" Watts, John Legend, Peter Bernstein, Kevin Mahogany, Dee Alexander, Bobby Broom, and Mike Reed.

In this conversation, we explore the inspiration behind As It Relates to Now, composing original music, improvisation, the evolution of Chicago jazz, collaboration, balancing jazz and classical traditions, life as a working musician, and where modern jazz is headed.

Whether you're a longtime jazz fan, bassist, student, or simply love discovering outstanding new music, this episode offers an inside look at one of today's most respected creative voices.

Enjoy this interview.

Get the album:
https://shiftingparadigmrecords.bandcamp.com/album/as-it-relates-to-now

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