Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz trombonist and composer Ryan Keberle, discussing his new 2026 album Here Is Donato!.
We first caught up with Ryan back in 2020, and now we're back together to explore his latest project, a flurry of activity in his musical world, and his ongoing connection to Brazilian music.
Alongside his São Paulo-based band Collectiv do Brasil, Keberle celebrates the music of legendary Brazilian composer and pianist João Donato, one of the most influential voices in Brazilian music. The project brings together the improvisational freedom of modern jazz with the rhythmic and melodic richness of MPB (música popular brasileira), creating a sound filled with warmth, lyricism, rhythmic subtlety and collective interplay.
Here Is Donato! is a vibrant exploration of Donato's enduring music, viewed through the distinctive lens of Ryan Keberle and Collectiv do Brasil. The result is a fresh meeting point between Brazilian music, jazz improvisation, contemporary composition and ensemble creativity.
In this wide-ranging Neon Jazz conversation, we get into the making of Here Is Donato!, the music of João Donato, Ryan's work with Collectiv do Brasil, the relationship between jazz and MPB, his evolution as an artist, his connection to Brazil and plenty more.
Ryan will also celebrate the album with a CD release show at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City on November 11, 2026.
🎺 Get Here Is Donato!:
https://ryankeberle.bandcamp.com/album/here-is-donato
For More Neon Jazz:
Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/
Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkc
Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2
The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/
Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER
