Tuesday, February 27, 2018

San Francisco Jazz Bassist and Composer Paul Sanwald

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Composer and Bassist Paul Sanwald .. This San Francisco jazz man just released 2017’s  - The Paul Sanwald Quartet – and it’s some very evolved jazz .. He started music professionally as a teenager, and has worked steadily for more than 20 years as a sideman and leader – He went to the New School's jazz performance program on scholarship, and studied orchestration, conducting and composition at the Julliard Evening Division – He’s got a great story .. 

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 Vocalist Kate McGarry

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Vocalist Kate McGarry .. She just released the 2017 CD The Subject Tonight is Love and has plenty to say about it .. She grew up in Hyannis, Mass., one of 10 children in a musical family that spent many nights singing together. At the University of Massachusetts Amherst she earned a degree in Afro-American Music and Jazz
experiences studying meditation ashram and exploring Celtic, Brazilian and Indian music .. After years honing her craft in Los Angeles, McGarry moved to New York and that has led her to the stages of Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Birdland to the Newport Jazz Festival, Berlin Jazz Fest and Jazz Baltica -

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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/


Friday, February 16, 2018

NYC-Based Jazz Trumpeter Dave Scott

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Trumpeter Dave Scott .. He talked about a recent recording session .. about about growing up in Kansas City .. Living in Los Angelse for 11 years and going to school at USC .. He currently lives in New York and has been composing for and performing with his own jazz quintet and also has a new project featuring violin, piano, guitar, bass and drums. He is recognized in the New York jazz community as a prolific composer – He is also a clinician and a very seasoned jazz cat with much to say ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 Multi-Instrumentalist Dave Bennett

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Multi-Instrunmentalist Dave Bennett .. He talked to us about his new 2017 CD Blood Moon .. So, he grew up n Waterford, Michigan and is entirely self-taught – In fact, he began at age 10 on clarinet listening to and quickly playing along with Benny Goodman records. To date, he can play the electric guitar, piano, drums and vocalizes.At 12 he was invited by legendary jazz trumpeter Doc Cheatham to the bandstand of New York’s famous Sweet Basil jazz  .. Since then he has played Carnegie Hall and been around the world ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 Drummer, Composer & Educator Dafnis Prieto

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist, Composer -& Educator Dafnis Prieto .. He has a new album – 2018’s Back to the Sunset and it’s a great new album .. he’s originally Cuba where his revolutionary drumming techniques and compositions had a powerful impact on the Latin and Jazz music scene – He came to New York in 1999 and has played wit the best since then .. like Henry Threadgill, Steve Coleman, Eddie Palmieri, Chucho Valdez, Bebo Valdez, Roy Hargrove, and Andrew Hill .. He is also the founder of the independent music company Dafnison 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 Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 Saxophonist & Composer Kevin Sun

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist and Composer Kevin Sun .. He is promoting his new 2018 CD Trio .. He’s a 2014 graduate of Harvard College & would go on to complete his studies at The New England Conservatory of Music  - These days, he is based out of Brooklyn, New York, but previously lived in Boston - and performed at local venues such as Wally’s Jazz CafĂ© and the Beat Hotel – Over the years, he’s played with Vijay Iyer, James Moody, Kenny Burrell, Dave Liebman, and Rich Perry, - Along with the music, he’s an active contributor to Jazz Speaks, the official blog of The Jazz Gallery, a not-for-profit jazz cultural center in New York City -

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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/


Wednesday, February 14, 2018

Jazz Guitar Legend Pat Martino - The 500th Interview

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Guitar Legend Pat Martino .. We caught up with him to discuss his 2017 CD  Formidable and so many other things .. He discussed his in Philadelphia and how he was irst exposed to jazz through his father, Carmen "Mickey" Azzara, who sang in local clubs and briefly studied guitar with Eddie Lang. He began playing guitar when he was twelve years old - eft school in tenth grade to devote himself to music and became actively involved with the early rock scene in Philadelphia, alongside stars like Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Bobby Darin. An icon before his eighteenth birthday, Pat was signed as a leader for Prestige Records when he was twenty. Pat has had a hugely interesting career and lifeline .. his survival has been the key to his success ..

Click here to listen to the interivew.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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/


Japanese Jazz Pianist Satoko Fuji on 60

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Pianist Satoko Fuji – So, she is turning 60 and celebration that big year in style .. With her album Solo - she begins her yearlong plan to release one CD a month with an introspective masterpiece recorded live in concert .. We caught up with her recently in Japan to talk about this along with her key to longevity – why she loves performing live and so 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 Christopher 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 at 8:00 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/


Monday, February 12, 2018

Kansas City Jazz Guitarist Rod Fleeman

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Kansas City Jazz Guitarist Rod Fleeman .. He is always a busy cat on the KC scene .. whether with Deborah Brown, Bram at the Majestic or as a part of the Kasnas City Jazz Orchestra .. He developed a love for jazz while a freshman at Southwest High School growing up in KC and would go on to attend  the University of Utah and the University of Miami .. Over the years, he has performed with the best .. like Marilyn Maye, Karrin Allyson, Jay McShann, Claude Williams and many more .. He’s got great tales and a good story to tell ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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/


Jimbo Mathus of the Jazz Outfit Squirrel Nut Zippers

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Lead Guitarist and Vocalist James ‘Jimbo’ Mathus of the Swing Revial Jazz Band The Squirrel Nut Zippers .. They are gearing up to release a brand new album .. their first new studio album in 18 years - slated for March 23, 2018 via their own label Southern Broadcasting called Beasts of Burgundy .. And will kick off a huge tour .. and live music is their thing .. This band stormed the jazz and music world in the late 90’s with a swing revival .. The band's music is a fusion of Delta blues, gypsy jazz, 1930s–era swing, klezmer, New Orleans Jazz and more has given them a legion of fans .. They hit it big and performed at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and at President Clinton's second inaugural ball – along with much more .. After a break and new band line up, they are back and ready to roar ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 Saxophonist Star Wayne Escoffery

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Saxophonist Wayne Escoffery .. He’s back at it with another gem .. 2018’s CD  Vortex .. So, he was born in London - at 6 his mother emigrated to the United States and settled in New Haven, Connecticut – When he was young he attending the Jazzmobile in New York City and during his senior year in high School, he attended the Artists Collective, Inc. in Hartford, Connecticut and Jackie McLean – that led him to work with the best in the business .. Most notably, the Tom Harrell Quintet and The Mingus Big Band – He is also a founding member of a collaborative group called Black Art Jazz Collective – He’s got plenty to say.

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 Vibraphonist, Composer, Bandleader & Educator Steve Hobbs

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Vibraphonist, Composer,  Bandleader &  Educator Steve Hobbs  - He’s always busy with the music and his latest CD is 2018’s Tribute to Bobby – in honor of his friend and mentor Bobby Hutcherson – He’s originally from Raleigh, North Carolina and started hand drums at age 7, and trumpet and drumset at 11 –then  switched from trumpet to vibes at age 17 and it stuck .. He got degrees from Berklee College of Music and the University of Miami – he went on to play with the best in jazz as a leader and sideman with Kenny Barron, Tom Harrell, Rufus Reid, Joe LaBarbera, Victor Lewis, and so many 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 Christopher 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 at 8:00 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/


Kansas City Stride Jazz Pianist Bram Wijnands

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City Jazz Stride Pianist Bram Wijnands .. He grew up in the Netherlands and came to Kansas City after striking up friendships with Richard Ross and Deborah Brown .. Since the early 90’s, he has made Kansas City home and has been all over the scene giving folks his jazz from the Majestic and beyond .. He talked about his education, love of Kansas City, performing live, what may be next and so 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 Christopher 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 at 8:00 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/


Thursday, February 1, 2018

Toronto Jazz Guitarist & Composer Harley Card

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Toronto Jazz Guitarist and Composer Harley Card .. He just released a new 2018 CD called The Greatest Invention and it’s named after what Einstein called one of the greatest inventions ever – the bicycle .. and Harley will explain .. He grew up in Winnepeg and spent the summer of 2017 living in New York City to study privately with master jazz guitarist; Peter Bernstein – Along with his own groups, he is a member of  and co-composer for other Canadian bands .. He also maintains a private teaching practice, providing instruction in guitar, theory, and composition -

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 & Composer Mark Wade

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Veteran Jazz Bassist Mark Wade.. He is promoting his newest CD – 2018’s Moving Day – And it’s in part to his life of growing up on the move .. He grew up in the Upper Midwest .. Indiana, Ohio and more – Fro the last 20 years, he has been very active in his home of New York City .. and played with the likes of James Spaulding, Peter Eldridge, Don Byron, been on The Today Show with Stacey Kent and much more .. along with the performing and recording, he is a faculty member of the jazz program at Lehigh University and the founder and director of New Music Horizons -

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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, Composer & Producer Justin Gray

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Bassist, Composer & Producer Justin Gray  ..  He took some time to talk with us about his new 2018 New Horizons .. He grew up in Toronto and his influences are jazz, classical, Indian classical and world music –  He invented and co-created the Bass Veena, an instrument designed for Indian Classical and Indo-Jazz music performance and has had quite a career full of awards and performing with Josh Groban, Ingrid Jensen, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Greg Osby, and many others .. Along with being a musician, he is on faculty at Humber College ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 & Electronic Musician Naoki Kenji

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with German Jazz Musician Naoki Kenji  .. We caught up with him about his 8th album  - 2017’s Akatombo inspired by a  poem created years ago by Naoki’s mother – He is Half German, half Japanese, andspent his early years in Tokyo and Osaka. By 5 he was already taking classical piano lessons and at 18 he left school without his parents consent to dedicate himself to his dream ...  He spoke to us candidly from his home in Germany ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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 Drummer Leslie Mandoki of the ManDoki Soulmates

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Drummer and Persuccionist Leslie Mandoki .. He grew up in Budapest, Hungary andstudied drums and percussion at the musical conservatory of Budapest in the early 1970s. He fled from Hungary to Munich, Germany to avoid prosecution by the communist government for being a member of the student opposition. Since then, he has lived the music dream .. as a part of the ManDoki Soumates – the group embodies the creative spirit of the 1970’s, and are a super group of GRAMMY® -winning rock and jazz music greats including with cats like Bobby Kimball (Toto), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), Klaus Doldinger (Passport), Bill Evans, Randy Brecker – They are now gearing up for a performance during Grammy Week .. on January 29 during the Wings of Freedom Concets at the Beacon Theater in New York .. He is a deeply good, profound and self actualized individual ..

Click here to listen to the interview.

Neon Jazz is a radio program airing since 2011. Hosted by Joe Dimino and Engineered by John Christopher 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 at 8:00 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/