KC Jazz Pianist & Educator Michael Pagan

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with pianist and educator Dr. Michael Pagan .. These days, he is a very busy musician playing the piano nightly around KC, along with being at professor at Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS directing Bravo, the Ottawa University Jazz Singers and teaching jazz piano. He just released a new CD in August of 2015 called the Ottawa Sessions .. From the streets of Ohio, his path made it’s way to KC and he digs it quite a bit ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Jazz Trumpeter & Educator Clay Jenkins

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with talented jazz trumpeter and educator Clay Jenkins .. From Lubbock, Texas, Clay has gone on to see the world and jam with some of the biggest names in jazz every .. He got his first real break with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, then moved onto LA and got involved with the big bands of Harry James, Buddy Rich, and finally, the Count Basie Orchestra. In August of 2015, he came out to Kansas City to get involved with the Charlie Parker Birthday celebrations city-wide going down and had some impressive words for the KC scene ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Jazz Bassist, Performer and Educator Ben Williams

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed bassist, bandleader, performer, music educator, and composer – along with being an actor .. Ben Williams .. Over the course of our conversation, he delved into a very busy schedule that is establishing him as one of the finest young artists in the world of jazz these days .. .. He discussed a role he had in his film film debut with Don Cheadle in “Miles Ahead” , his latest 2015 sophomore release Coming of Age, performing the song  “Happy” with Pharrell Williams and Herbie Hancock at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, along with a host of heavy jazz cats he’s performed with .. like Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, Pat Metheny  Benny Golson, and others ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Legendary Jazz Trumpeter & Composer Charles Tolliver

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary composer, arranger, and trumpeter Charles Tolliver .. Over the course of our conversation, he was very candid about his beginnings in 1963 with the great Jackie McClean .. and how that break led to bigger gigs with cats like Sonny Rollins  .. He told me who his jazz heros are, why he loves jazz and much more ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Legendary Jazz Composer, Arranger & Bassist Chuck Israels

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary composer, arranger, and bassist Chuck Israels .. He’s well know for doing work with Bill Evans, along with John Coltrane, Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz and many more .. He recounts tales of being in the middle of that jazz flux, having dinner at 12 with Louis Armstrong, growing up in a music rich family, what he is up to these days and what he would like his enduring epitaph in the world of jazz to be .. along with much, much more ..

Click here to listen to the interivew.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Jazz Trumpeter, Arranger & Member of The Cookers David Weiss

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Journeyman Trumpeter and Arranger David Weiss .. These days, he is consumed with performing in the Jazz supergroup The Cookers .. with legendary cats like Billy Harper, Cecil McBee, George Cables, Eddie Henderson, and Billy Hart .. Over the course of our conversation, he delved into his life in New York City, how he started out at art school for photography and made his way to the horn and the land of jazz .. He contemplated why he loves jazz, what his legacy might be and much, much more ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

NYC Jazz Saxophonist & Composer Ben Wendel

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-Based Jazz Saxophonist, Arranger, Composer and Producer Ben Wendel .. Born in Vancuver, Canada, Raised in Los Angeles and now calling New York his home, he has also globe trotted with acts like Gerald Clayton, Eric Harland, Snoop Dogg and the artist formerly known as Prince .. He has a large amount of irons in the fire as a very talented jazz force in the world today .. he spoke with Neon Jazz about his latest album called ACT II from a band he is in called ACT, along with much more. ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Trumpeter, Multi-Instrumentalist, Composer, Improviser & Educator Wadada Leo Smith

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Jazz Trumpeter, Composer, Arranger and Educator Wadada Leo Smith .. This journeyed jazz veteran has been all over the world creating cutting edge, avante garde music for decades. These days, he stays as busy as ever .. Over the course of our conversation, he spoke about his unique approach to teaching students, who has taught him the most, a music language he founded, who his jazz heroes are and much more.

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Ernie Watts

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Legendary Jazz Saxophonist Ernie Watts .. Over the years, he has toured with the Rolling Stones, recorded with Marvin Gaye, logged quality time with Buddy Rich and has played with countless jazz cats over the years .. For 20 years, he was a part of the Tonight Show Band with Johnny Carson under the direction of the great Doc Severinson .. He talked with Neon Jazz about his own record label, his latest jazz travels, why he loves jazz and a slew of other tales accumulated over a lifetime of dedication and love to the jazz craft ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Jazz Husband/Wife Duo Dessy Di Lauro & Ric'key Pageot

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the very talented jazz vocalist Dessy Di Lauro and journeyman pianist/husband/collaborator Rickey Pageot .. These days, the husband/wife duo are collaborating on some quality mus
ic incorporating elements from the ''Speak Easy Era'' with an added contemporary urban edge. The pair stay very busy, she is set to release her new EP in the Summer of 2015 followed by a North American, UK and European tour – and Rickey is busy as the pianist on  Madonna's Rebel Heart Tour .. During the course of our interview, the couple discussed a wide range of topics touching on their past in Montreal, their projects today and their dreams for a full independent future of creating their own music ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Montreal Jazz Guitarist Mike Rud

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Canadian Jazz Guitarist Mike Rud .. Over the course of our interview, he discussed his love of Montreal, jazz and being a musician .. He just won a Juno Award for his latest album Notes on Montreal .. and the back story on this album is quite cool .. He went on to discuss a solo project in the works, teachers over the years, who some of his jazz heros are, a dream gig he’d love to see in a time machine, along with much more ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Avant-Garde Jazz Pianist Satoko Fuji

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the avante-garde jazz pianist Satako Fuji .. She grew up in Japan, then moved to the USA to study at the Berklee College of Music and the New England Conservatory .. she is now back in Japan and has plenty to say with her music and about her life. During an interview with Neon Jazz, she talked about a great deal of topics ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

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. and Sunday Mornings from 6:00 – 7:00 a.m. Listen to KCXL on Tunein Radio at http://tunein.com/radio/Neon-Jazz-With-Joe-Dimino-p381685/. For all things Neon Jazz, visit http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/