Friday, December 20, 2013

An Interview with Talented Bay Area Jazz Singer Suzanna Smith

Welcome to a the Neon Jazz interview with an up and coming jazz singer from Oakland, California .. Suzanna Smith – With the recent release of her recent album ‘Halfway Between Heaven and Love’, she spent some time with Neon Jazz discussing her roots, career and where all of it may be leading .. along with much, much more ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

An Interview with Up and Coming Kansas City Jazz Pianist TJ Martley

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview talented Kansas City pianist – TJ Martley ..  He recently spoke with Neon Jazz about many things .. From Olathe, KS, he went to college at William Jewell College to get into medicine and found that Jazz was the best medicine possible .. Very busy live gigs in a thriving KC jazz marketplace, his first solo album called Meditations Volume #1 got 4-stars in Downbeat Magazine .. And, he talks about much more .. Dig it ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

An Interview with Premier KC Jazz Bassist Gerald Spaits

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview Kansas City’s premier jazz bassist – Gerald Spaits ..  He recently spoke with Neon Jazz about a large crop of topics .. From the streets of Kansas City, Kansas, he talked about seeing the Beatles in Municipal Stadium in KC back in 1964, playing with Jay McShann and many other musicians over the years, his projects, teaching at UMKC along with much more .. Dig it, kids ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Thursday, October 24, 2013

An Interview with Author, Radio Host and Jazz Historian Chuck Haddix

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with radio host, jazz historian, teacher and author  – the great Chuck Haddock. He spoke with Neon Jazz about a wide range of topics .. namely, he spoke about his new book called Bird: The Life and Music of Charlie Parker. Over the course of our interview, we got to know about one of the most knowledgable jazz minds in Kansas City, along with getting insights intoa book about the most famous KC jazz musicians and arguable one of the most influential in music history .. Charlie Yardbird Paker ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com



Monday, October 21, 2013

Chicago Jazz Trumpeter Marquis Hill

Welcome to a  Neon Jazz interview with Chicago trumpeter Marquis Hill. Over the course of our interview, he spoke about being born and raised in Chicago and witnessing a host of legends perform live, how he started out in the music business, his newest album ‘The Poet’, along with much more ..


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com





Tuesday, October 15, 2013

The Kansas City Jazz Drummer .. Abel Ramirez

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with a fine jazz drummer and a leader in the KC jazz scene, Mr. Abel Ramirez – For over three decades, Abel has been tirelessly entertaining this Kansas City jazz town .. During the course of our interview, Abel talked his early years in KC, projects over the years, advice he would give to up and comers, along with many other insights into his life and love of the jazz craft ..

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

An Interview with Latin Jazz Drummer Brian Andres

Welcome to a new Neon Jazz interview talented Latin Jazz drummer Brian Andres – During our interview from our base in KC to San Francisco, Brian spoke openly about his roots in Cincinnati, Ohio, his many gigs over the years with a variety of musicians, moving to San Francisco to form his Afro Cuban Jazz Cartel base, along with much more ..  Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Seattle Jazz Singer Eugenie Jones Interview

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview a Seattle-based jazz singer Eugenie Jones – Over the length of our open interview, Eugenie spoke candidly about her recent dream realized – becoming a jazz singer, her albums, how she secures live gigs, her day job and much, much more .. Click to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

The Cool & Talented Jazz Singer Laura Ainsworth

Welcome to a new Neon Jazz interview a jazz singer injecting pure cool into the craft weaving together the old school jazz world and blending it with the present day – Laura Ainsworth – Speaking to me from her base in Dallas, Texas, our interview was a verbal journey to get a definitive bio for a rising star in the jazz craft .. Speaking about her father Billy who performed in his jazz heyday with the likes of Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and Frank Sinatra .. she talks about her latest disc, which is a fine one, Necessary Evil, her comedy business, her rescued parrots and much more.

Click to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Monday, July 29, 2013

New York City Jazz Drummer & Missouri Native Matt Kane

During this new interview with talented New York City jazz drummer, Matt Kane, a wide variety of topics were covered. This Hannibal, MO native got his chops going in the Kansas City scene with musicians like Sonny Kenner, Paul Smith, Mike Metheny, Claude”Fiddler” Williams, Karrin Allyson, the McFadden Brothers, Danny Embrey, Rod Fleeman, Bob Bowman and others. From there, he moved onto New York City for a whole new adventure. He talks about his jazz trajectory and much more.

Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Neon Jazz Interview with Kansas City Saxophonist Steve Lambert

From Iowa to Kansas City, saxophonist and educator Steve Lambert is another vibrant part of the KC jazz scene. Over the course of our interview, he talks about being instructed by Bobby Watson at UMKC, his busy lineup of gigs, meeting John Coltrane and much more.

Click to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Kansas City Jazz Drummer Brian Steever

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview Kansas City drummer and busy jazz man Brian Steever – During our candid interview, he talked his start in South Dakota, move to Chicago, early days in Jefferson City and arriving in KC, along with working with Bobby Watson at UMKC, along with much more. Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com 

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Kansas City Jazz Guitarist Brian Baggett

Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview one of the finest jazz guitarists in Kansas City ..  Brian Baggett – During our candid interview, he talked about his roots in Kansas, his essence for playing music, a new book he just published, his live gigs, teaching and much more. 

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

An Interview with Jazz Singer Deborah Brown

Welcome to a new interview with one of the finest singers in jazz today and with some of the best jazz stories you will ever hear. During the course of this revealing interview, Deborah Brown talks about a career that has spanned decades taking her all over the world, how she got her start in Kansas City, working with Side Hampton and much more. Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Interview with Kansas City Trombonist Ryan Heinlein


Welcome to a the Neon Jazz interview with another talented piece of a thriving jazz pool in 2013’s Kansas City scene – Trombonist and leader of the band Project H – Ryan Heinlein .. Over the course of this interview, he talks about growing up in Wichita, seeing the world in a Ska band while he got his music chops developed, the power of Mingus, along with much more ..

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Click here to listen.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Kansas City Jazz Bassist Jeff Harshbarger


Welcome to a brand new Neon Jazz interview a cat that is one of a kind and has seen a lot of jazz in his life .. Kansas City bassist Jeff Harshbarger. During this interview, he talks about being the mortar between the bricks, his many stops around the country to play live, his immediate and long term plans for more music, how he has picked up singing this year, along with much more. Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com


Monday, April 29, 2013

KC Trumpeter Clint Ashlock

Welcome to a new Neon Jazz interview the great Kansas City trumpeter Clint Ashlock. He is busy these days and loves the jazz town he lives in. During this interview, Clint talks about his roots, working with Bobby Watson, his projects and much more. Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Kansas City Trumpeter & Jazz Ambassador Stanton Kessler


Welcome to a Neon Jazz interview with a real journeyman jazz player and educator in the Kansas City scene, along with being a very talented trumpeter and flugelhornist – Mr. Stanton Kessler. During the course of our candid interview, Stanton talked about his roots, the bands he has been in over the years, the jazz cats he digs the most, the vibrant Kansas City jazz scene going strong in 2013 and much more. Click here to listen.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL at www.kcxl.com

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Chicago Saxophonist & Educator Caroline Davis

Welcome to another Neon Jazz interview with talented Chicago-based saxophonist and educator Caroline Davis. During the course of this interview, Caroline discusses her early music influences while living in Atlanta, music theory, her first full album as a leader, which is top shelf and it’s called Live Work and Play, her jazz heroes, a pending move to the Big Apple, along with much more. Click here to enjoy.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas CityMissouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of LibertyMO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein.com

Friday, March 22, 2013

Kansas City Jazz Bassist Bill McKemy

Welcome to a new Neon Jazz interview with talented and busy Kansas City based bassist Bill McKemy. During this interview, he talks about his Missouri roots, playing jazz in Philadelphia, how the KC jazz scene is doing in 2013, the 1 jazz artist he would love to meet, along with much more. Click here to listen.


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas City, Missouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of Liberty, MO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein.com

Friday, March 8, 2013

NYC Trombonist & Cool Cat Nick Finzer

Talented New York City Trombonist Nick Finzer just released an excellent new album called Exposition. He spoke with Joe Dimino at Neon Jazz about this album, his jazz heroes, the future, a bit about Kansas City and much more. Click here to enjoy.


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas CityMissouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of LibertyMO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein.com

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

San Francisco Trumpeter Joel Behrman

Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, jazz man Joel Behrman is calling San Francisco home and has just released a new album called Steppin’ Back. Joel spoke with Neon Jazz about his journey in jazz, who he would like to meet if he could go back in time and much more. Click here to listen.


Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas CityMissouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of LibertyMO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein.com

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Chicago Trumpeter Pharez Whitted

On the heels of an impressive new 2012 album titled 'For the People', Pharez Whitted talks with Joe Dimino of Neon Jazz about a host of topics. From his roots in Indianapolis to a Presidential Innaguaration, Pharez opens up about his years in the business and being the current Director of Jazz Studies at Chicago State University. Click here to enjoy.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christoper in Kansas CityMissouri giving listeners a journey into one of America's finest inventions. Take a listen on KCXL (102.9 FM / 1140 AM) out of LibertyMO on Saturday Mornings from 7:00 - 9:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein.com