Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based rising jazz vocalist, composer, and bandleader Ekep Nkwelle. Dig into the story behind Caged Bird, her powerful debut album of 2026, and discover the personal journey, musical roots, and artistic vision shaping one of jazz’s exciting emerging voices.
Inspired by Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Caged Bird explores the journey from sorrow toward inspiration. Its themes of human suffering, resilience, freedom, and the pursuit of a better future give this project a deeply meaningful emotional foundation.
Ekep’s ability to move and inspire audiences began early. At just 12 years old, she was already leading worship, developing the expressive power that would become central to her artistry. Her love of jazz grew while attending Washington, D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where classical vocal training helped shape her musicianship and distinctive approach to performance.
In this conversation, we explore her early influences, the road from gospel and classical training into jazz, the inspiration behind Caged Bird, and the experiences that have shaped her growing career as a singer, composer, and bandleader.
This is a conversation about music with meaning, the courage to find your voice, and the transformative power of jazz.
🎙️ Learn more about Ekep Nkwelle:
https://www.ekepnkwelle.com/
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Brooklyn-based jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader Victor Solano. Dig this conversation as we explore Victor’s 2026 album, Sundate, his journey through the world of jazz, and his emergence as a bandleader with a sound and vision all his own.
Born and raised in the Marcy Houses in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, Victor brings his roots, musical instincts, and deep appreciation for jazz tradition to the forefront. Sundate marks his debut as a bandleader, adding a fresh voice to today’s evolving jazz landscape.
Leading a dynamic sextet inspired by Art Blakey’s 1981 Jazz Messengers, Victor pairs catchy, memorable horn lines with an adventurous, step-up-and-show-out approach to improvisation. The result is a group built for bold solos, tight ensemble playing, and the kind of energy that keeps jazz moving forward.
Victor Solano’s sextet features: Victor Solano — tenor saxophone | Alfredo Colon — alto saxophone | Carter Yasutake — trumpet | Jonathan Paik — piano | Steve Williams — bass | Justin Henry — drums
We talk about his Brooklyn upbringing, his musical development, the making of Sundate, the influence of jazz legends, and what it means to build a career in today’s jazz world.
If you love hard bop, swinging sextets, powerhouse horn lines, and the next generation of jazz artists, this is an interview to dig into.
🎷 Get the music and follow Victor Solano:
Website and album information: https://victorsolanomusic.com/new-page
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vic_escobar_/
Listen to the music: https://orcd.co/zayin
For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Chicago-based jazz violinist Olya Prohorova of Fugu Dugu! We catch up with one of the leaders of Chicago’s Wild East Punk band to explore their 2026 album, Bucky Wanko and The Legend of Baba Yaga, the band’s history, and the wild musical universe they’ve created.
Set against the shadows of the Soviet occupation of East Germany, this album spins a bizarre, darkly imaginative tale: Siberian Cowboy Bucky Wanko becomes ensnared by the cannibalistic sorceress Baba Yaga before finding a questionable salvation through the “Romanov Dame,” Madame Broshkina.
Fugu Dugu brings this story to life with explosive violin, electric guitar, old-world melodies, American roots, and punk-rock energy. Moving between Romanian, Ukrainian, Russian, and English, the band creates a sound that defies easy categorization—unpredictable, theatrical, and full of Eastern European spirit.
We dig into the story behind the album, the band’s evolution, their genre-bending musical identity, and the inspiration behind this extraordinary project. Get ready for a conversation that takes jazz, folk, and punk somewhere wonderfully unexpected!
🎧 Get the album, Bucky Wanko and The Legend of Baba Yaga:
https://fugudugu.bandcamp.com/album/bucky-wanko-and-the-legend-of-baba-yaga?from=discover_page&ui_context=results_grid
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz saxophonist and educator Dr. Justin Pierce! We dive into his debut 2026 album, Sway, and explore his journey through the world of jazz, from his musical roots to building a career centered on performance, education, and connection.
Based in Dallas, Justin brings together some of the area's most accomplished jazz musicians in an ensemble built on world-class talent, musical versatility, and Texas hospitality. With more than 15 years of experience and hundreds of performances across the country, Justin Pierce Music specializes in transforming ordinary events into unforgettable celebrations.
We talk about the inspiration behind Sway, his life as a saxophonist and educator, the Dallas jazz scene, the art of live performance, and the experiences that have shaped his musical path. Join us for a wide-ranging conversation about jazz, dedication, and the power of bringing people together through music.
🎧 Discover the album, Sway:
http://justinpiercemusic.com/sway
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Los Angeles-based jazz guitarist Chris Standring, returning for his third visit to the program. We dive into his 2026 album, Time of Change—a heartfelt collection of eleven inspired compositions that draws on the sounds, sophistication, and soulful spirit of a golden age.
This retro-soulful project evokes a nostalgic era when lush arrangements, beautiful harmonies, and timeless musical craftsmanship were in fashion. Featuring a top-flight four-piece horn section and a rich palette of orchestral colors, Time of Change brings classic sensibilities into a fresh and compelling musical experience.
Chris joins us to discuss the inspiration behind the album, the creative journey that brought it to life, release-day excitement, upcoming live shows, and much more. It's always a pleasure to welcome Chris back to Neon Jazz for another great conversation about music, artistry, and the stories behind the songs.
🎧 Get the album, Time of Change:
https://chrisstandringjazz.bandcamp.com/album/time-of-change
Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews featuring jazz vocalists, musicians, composers, and creative voices from around the world.
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
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