Carlo Muscat Interview | That's About It, Ukrainian Jazz, Kyiv Recording & Modern European Jazz

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Ukraine-based jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Carlo Muscat.

This marks Carlo's third appearance on Neon Jazz, and it is always a privilege to document another chapter in the evolution of one of contemporary European jazz's most compelling voices. On this episode, we discuss his powerful 2026 release, That's About It, his eighth album as a leader and one of his most significant artistic statements to date.

A veteran of the Paris and Mediterranean jazz scenes, Carlo has consistently demonstrated a distinctive compositional voice. However, That's About It represents a profound shift in artistic direction. Recorded in Kyiv during the ongoing war in Ukraine, the album features a collaboration with an exceptional ensemble of Ukrainian musicians and stands as a testament to resilience, creativity, and artistic persistence.

The music embraces melodic economy, harmonic depth, subtle interaction, and what Carlo describes as a form of compositional stillness—a thoughtful and restrained approach created amidst extraordinary circumstances. The result is a deeply moving and reflective work that captures both tension and beauty.

In this conversation, we discuss the making of the album, recording in Kyiv, the realities facing artists during wartime, the contemporary European jazz scene, live performance, composition, collaboration, and the role of music in an increasingly complex world.

This is an insightful discussion about jazz, creativity, perseverance, and the enduring power of artistic expression.

Enjoy this installment.

Get the album:
Carlo Muscat Bandcamp Page

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