Ben Rosenblum Interview | The Longest Way Round, Jazz Piano, Accordion & World Music

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz pianist, accordionist, composer, and bandleader Ben Rosenblum. In this episode, we take a deep dive into his exciting new 2026 album, The Longest Way Round, his Nebula Project, touring, composition, and the many global musical influences that shape his sound.

The Longest Way Round marks an important milestone for Ben Rosenblum: it is his first album consisting entirely of original compositions. The album features a three-part suite and showcases the chemistry of his regular band, including Wayne Tucker on trumpet, Jasper Dutz on saxophone, clarinet and flute, Rafael Rosa on guitar, Marty Jaffe on bass, Ben Zweig on drums, and Ben Rosenblum on piano and accordion.

The music reflects Ben's fascination with sounds and traditions from around the world. Drawing on influences including Dominican merengue, Japanese J-Pop, Irish reels and jigs, salsa, West African rhythmic traditions, Jamaican reggae, and jazz, the album creates a distinctive musical world that moves freely between genres and cultures.

The recording followed a nine-concert U.S. tour in 2024, giving the musicians an opportunity to develop the music on the road and deepen the chemistry that ultimately became The Longest Way Round.

In this conversation, Ben and Joe Dimino explore jazz piano, accordion, composition, world music, jazz fusion, touring, improvisation, cultural influences, the Nebula Project, original music, and the creative process behind one of Ben's most ambitious recordings yet.

Ben has also become a good friend of the Neon Jazz family, making this a particularly enjoyable return to the show.

Get the album:
Ben Rosenblum – The Longest Way Round

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 

Marsha Bartenetti Interview | New York Minute, Jazz, Voice Over & a Remarkable Music Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz singer and voice-over artist Marsha Bartenetti. In this episode, we explore her remarkable career in music, voice-over, recording, and broadcasting, along with her new 2026 single, "New York Minute," and her upcoming album arriving later this year.

Marsha is a smooth, rich, and expressive vocalist whose heartfelt delivery brings authenticity to every lyric. Her ability to connect emotionally with a song allows her vocals to transport the listener directly into the story.

Her musical journey began in the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s, during a vibrant era filled with extraordinary musicians and opportunities. Performing with her band alongside her then-husband, Marsha opened for notable acts including The Youngbloods and performed at legendary venues such as the Troubadour in Los Angeles.

Although she eventually stepped away from the stage for a period of time, Marsha never left music behind. She continued working extensively in the recording studio, lending her voice to national advertising jingles for major companies including Bank of America and Chevron.

One of the most fascinating chapters of her career came through Octel Communications, a pioneering voice-messaging company serving businesses around the world. Marsha became the American English voice of Octel, meaning her voice was heard by millions of people across the globe.

Now, Marsha is returning to her passion for recording and performing with new music that showcases the depth, warmth, and authenticity developed throughout her extraordinary career.

In this conversation, we explore jazz singing, vocal performance, voice-over work, recording studios, advertising jingles, San Francisco's music scene, the Troubadour, Octel Communications, songwriting, her new single "New York Minute," her upcoming 2026 album, and the stories behind a lifetime in music.

It's a fascinating story of an artist who has experienced multiple eras of the music and voice-over industries—and continues to create.

Marsha Bartenetti:
https://www.marshabartenetti.com/

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  

Gergana Velinova Interview | Free, New 2026 Jazz Album, Motherhood & Musical Transformation

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with award-winning Bulgaria-based jazz vocalist, poet, composer, and educator Gergana Velinova. In this episode, we dive into her remarkable musical journey and her powerful new 2026 album, Free.

Now her seventh album, Free is a deeply personal project shaped by motherhood, resilience, transformation, and the search for freedom through music. Gergana blends contemporary jazz with bossa nova, blues, Brazilian music, and lyrical ballads, creating an intimate and soulful listening experience that invites the listener into her world.

Gergana believes that a song truly begins its life when it quietly finds its way into someone's world and becomes part of their own story. That philosophy is at the heart of her music and helps explain the emotional depth and warmth found throughout Free.

A Bulgarian-Canadian creative force, Gergana is recognized for her luminous voice and soulful fusion of contemporary jazz, pop, and Brazilian influences. Beyond her work as a performer and composer, she is also an accomplished music educator and founder of an award-winning Bulgarian children's school, extending her passion for music to the next generation.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore jazz, motherhood, creativity, resilience, transformation, songwriting, poetry, Brazilian music, bossa nova, music education, and the journey behind Free.

This is a beautiful story about an artist embracing change, finding strength through life's experiences, and allowing music to become a vehicle for connection and freedom.

Get the Album & Learn More
https://www.gerganavelinova.com/

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  

Kate Marshall Interview | AI Strategy, AI Governance, Cybersecurity & Workforce Readiness

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. In this episode, we talk with Fractional CIO, AI strategist, educator, and cybersecurity expert Kate Marshall about one of the most important challenges facing organizations today: how to adopt artificial intelligence in a way that is practical, responsible, secure, and actually creates value.

Kate helps organizations navigate the rapidly changing AI landscape through AI governance, workforce readiness, leadership education, custom training, and practical implementation strategies.

Before focusing on AI, Kate spent 18 years at the SANS Institute, where she led Summits and helped develop rapid-response training for emerging cybersecurity threats. Her work included curriculum marketing strategy, courseware development, emerging technology education, and organizational innovation.

Kate was also instrumental in helping SANS move into the AI era. She launched the organization's first AI Task Force and its first AI Hackathon, creating opportunities to move beyond experimentation and toward meaningful operational value.

Today, Kate is the founder of TheGrai, where she works with leaders and teams through customized training and workshops designed to help organizations understand and implement AI effectively. She is also a SHRM instructor, bringing her expertise in technology, workforce development, and organizational change together.

In this fascinating conversation, we explore artificial intelligence, AI strategy, AI governance, responsible AI, cybersecurity, workforce readiness, AI training, business transformation, leadership, emerging technology, organizational change, and the future of work.

If you're a business leader, CIO, CTO, HR professional, technology executive, entrepreneur, cybersecurity professional, or anyone trying to understand how AI can be implemented effectively, this conversation is packed with valuable insights.

More Kate Marshall
https://katemarshall.ai/ 

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b

Andrew Hinkelman Interview | Human-Centered Leadership, Executive Coaching & CEO Growth

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Hinkelman, a human-centered leadership coach for CEOs, CTOs, founders, and executive teams, for a powerful conversation about leadership, resilience, burnout, relationships, and personal transformation.

A former CTO and certified executive coach, Andrew now works with senior leaders who want to become better leaders of people—not simply better executives. His philosophy is rooted in a powerful idea: at the senior leadership level, professional development is personal development. Before you can effectively lead a team, you have to learn how to lead yourself.

Andrew's own journey gives that philosophy real weight. After experiencing corporate burnout, he made the transition into entrepreneurship and executive coaching, building his career around a relentless focus on people, relationships, trust, and helping others succeed.

In this engaging conversation, Andrew shares his story from technology leadership to executive coaching and explores what it really takes to build resilient, human-centered organizations. We discuss CEO coaching, CTO leadership, executive development, emotional intelligence, workplace relationships, burnout prevention, resilience, self-leadership, entrepreneurship, and the challenges facing today's leaders.

Whether you're a CEO, CTO, founder, entrepreneur, executive, manager, technology leader, or aspiring people leader, this conversation offers valuable insights into becoming more effective while remaining grounded in what makes leadership truly human.

From his base in Seattle, Andrew takes us through his entire journey and explains why the best leaders don't simply manage people—they understand them.

More Andrew Hinkelman
https://www.pri-1.com/

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b

Jane Buyers Interview | Wall Street, 9/11, Lehman & Finding Meaning Beyond Success

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. In this powerful episode, we sit down with award-winning author and former JPMorgan Managing Director and Head of Americas Corporate Banking Jane Buyers for an extraordinary conversation about Wall Street, resilience, leadership, family, identity, and discovering meaning beyond professional success.

Jane's remarkable journey became the inspiration for her award-winning memoir, Eight Septembers: A Woman on Wall Street from 9/11 to Lehman. Her career placed her at the center of some of the most consequential moments in modern financial history, while her personal life brought equally profound challenges and lessons.

From experiencing 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis to navigating family addiction, aging parents, marriage, motherhood, and the complicated search for identity beyond a successful career, Jane speaks with remarkable honesty about the experiences that shaped her.

In this engaging conversation, we explore Wall Street, leadership, resilience, women in finance, personal transformation, family, motherhood, career achievement, reinvention, purpose, relationships, and finding meaning in life's defining moments.

Jane's story is ultimately about more than finance. It's about what happens when the identity we've built around our careers is challenged—and how adversity can become an unexpected catalyst for growth, self-discovery, and a more meaningful life.

From her base in Florida, Jane shares the wisdom she's gained through decades of professional achievement and personal transformation.

If you're interested in Wall Street, financial history, women's leadership, personal development, memoirs, resilience, career reinvention, entrepreneurship, purpose, and inspirational life stories, this interview is one you won't want to miss.

Jane Buyers:
www.janebuyers.com

Eight Septembers:
www.eightseptembers.com

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b

Bret Kolman Interview | From Hospital CEO to Faith-Based Leadership & Soul Rest

Welcome to a new edition of the Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino series. In this episode, we sit down with former hospital CEO, faith-based leader, and author Bret Kolman for a deeply personal conversation about leadership, faith, reflection, and discovering true soul rest.

Bret spent more than a decade leading two hospitals, navigating the demands and responsibilities of healthcare leadership while embracing an unusual practice for a CEO: periodically stepping away from the demands of his position to fast, reflect, connect with other faith-based leaders, and seek God.

Those intentional pauses became transformative. They produced creative breakthroughs, greater peace, deeper spiritual understanding, and a collection of practical lessons that eventually became his book, Wisdom That Leads to Soul Rest.

In this inspiring conversation, Bret shares how his experiences as a hospital executive shaped his understanding of leadership and why stepping away from the noise of everyday life can create space for clarity, renewal, and wisdom. We explore faith-based leadership, spiritual growth, burnout, reflection, sabbaticals, finding peace, purpose, and the importance of creating room for what matters most.

From his base in Lee's Summit, Missouri, Bret opens up about his remarkable journey and the 23 bite-sized nuggets of wisdom that emerged from years of intentional reflection and spiritual practice.

If you're interested in leadership, faith, Christian living, spiritual growth, personal development, executive leadership, finding peace, purpose, and living a more meaningful life, this conversation offers plenty to consider.

Connect with Bret Kolman:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ceobret/ 

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991
Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                    https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b