Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Mexican-born jazz bassist, composer, arranger, vocalist, and educator Gabriel Espinosa.
From his home base in Iowa, Gabriel joins us to discuss his outstanding 2026 release, The Brazilian Project—a vibrant recording that celebrates the rich traditions of Brazilian music, Latin jazz, and contemporary jazz while showcasing his signature warmth, lyrical compositions, and world-class musicianship.
Born in Mérida, Mexico, Gabriel's musical journey began at the age of six on the guitar before switching to bass. As a teenager, he performed with his brothers Víctor and Patricio in the family group Los Deltons, laying the foundation for an extraordinary international career.
In 1976, Gabriel moved to Iowa to attend Central College in Pella before continuing his studies at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Since then, he has become one of the leading voices in Latin jazz, recording acclaimed albums, performing around the world, and inspiring generations of musicians as an educator.
Gabriel Espinosa's career reflects the beautiful intersection of Mexican heritage, Brazilian rhythms, Latin jazz, and contemporary improvisation, making him one of today's most distinctive and respected jazz artists.
Get The Brazilian Project:
https://originarts.com/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=82952
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed jazz guitarist, composer, and returning guest Tomas Janzon.
We welcome back a good friend of the show to discuss his remarkable 2026 album, Jazz Diary—a deeply personal project that captures the everyday creative process behind his music.
The inspiration for Jazz Diary came from early morning practice sessions, late-night musical discoveries, and quiet coffee breaks where Tomas would sketch melodic ideas with a 2B pencil onto the same four-sided sheets of paper he carries wherever he travels. Over time, these handwritten musical journals evolved into a compelling collection of original compositions, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the mind of an improvising artist.
In this conversation, Tomas shares how daily discipline, travel, observation, and spontaneous inspiration shape his music. We also discuss creativity, the current cultural landscape, America today, jazz composition, and the lifelong pursuit of artistic expression.
As always, it's a pleasure catching up with one of today's most thoughtful and inventive jazz guitarists.
Get the album:
https://tomasjanzon.bandcamp.com/album/jazz-diary
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed jazz pianist and composer David Janeway.
In this episode, we talk with David about his outstanding 2026 live album, Live at the Blue Llama Jazz Club, featuring an all-star trio with legendary bassist Robert Hurst and master drummer Billy Hart. Recorded live at Ann Arbor, Michigan's renowned Blue Llama Jazz Club in June 2024, the album captures Janeway at the height of his artistry, blending deep swing, blues, lyricism, and modern jazz into a powerful live performance.
Born and raised in Detroit, David Janeway carries forward one of America's richest jazz traditions. Influenced by decades of mentorship and the city's remarkable musical legacy, his playing honors jazz history while embracing fresh ideas and contemporary expression.
David offers thoughtful insights into his musical journey, the energy of live performance, and what continues to inspire him after decades of performing and recording.
Enjoy this engaging conversation with one of today's most accomplished jazz pianists.
Get the album and learn more:
https://www.davidjaneway.com/forward-motion-david-janeway-1
https://bluellamaclub.com/event/david-janeway-trio/
If you enjoy interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, and innovators, please subscribe, like, and share for more exclusive conversations from Neon Jazz.
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Kansas City-based jazz musician, composer, vocalist, and creative visionary E.E. Pointer. We caught up with E.E. to discuss his compelling new 2026 album, Downstream Impressions, an imaginative collaboration with poet and storyteller James Benger, along with new music planned for later in 2026 and his ever-evolving creative journey.
Downstream Impressions blends original jazz compositions with the rich poetry of James Benger, whose thought-provoking words explore humanity, nature, and the cosmos. Their artistic partnership began years ago while performing together with the River Cow Cosmic Orchestra, eventually leading to the creation of this unique recording that seamlessly merges spoken word, music, and improvisation into a deeply immersive listening experience.
As always, it's a pleasure catching up with E.E. Pointer, one of Kansas City's most adventurous musical voices. Enjoy this fascinating conversation about creativity, collaboration, jazz composition, poetry, and the stories behind this remarkable new release.
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All things E.E.:
https://www.eepointer.net/
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Indianapolis-based saxophonist, composer, arranger, and bandleader Sean Imboden.
In this exclusive interview, Sean discusses his ambitious 2026 album, Uncharted Realms, the highly anticipated follow-up to his ensemble's acclaimed debut, Communal Heart. After earning widespread praise—including a 4-star review from All About Jazz—Sean and his remarkable big band return with a bold new collection that pushes the boundaries of contemporary large ensemble jazz.
Uncharted Realms reflects the continued evolution of Sean's kaleidoscopic compositional style and the extraordinary chemistry of an ensemble committed to innovation, expressive improvisation, and expanding what a modern jazz orchestra can be.
Sean Imboden continues to establish himself as one of the most creative voices in modern jazz composition, blending sophisticated writing with adventurous improvisation and a forward-looking artistic vision.
Listen to Uncharted Realms:
https://music.apple.com/eg/album/uncharted-realms/1870930654
Subscribe to Neon Jazz for exclusive interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, arrangers, and innovators from around the globe.
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