Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Matt Fillingham of the Back Alley Brass Band on their 2026 album Some Bright Morning.

The popular Kansas City-based brass band returns with another vibrant and energetic project filled with music they’ve performed and developed over the last several years. Rooted in the spirit and swagger of New Orleans brass band tradition, Some Bright Morning captures the infectious live energy, soulful grooves, and celebratory atmosphere that has helped Back Alley Brass Band become one of the Midwest’s rising live music acts.

In this conversation, Matt reflects on the band’s journey, the making of the new album, live performances, brass band culture, Kansas City’s evolving music scene, and upcoming World Cup-related gigs happening in Kansas City during the summer of 2026.

Known for blending jazz, funk, second line rhythms, and New Orleans bravado, Back Alley Brass Band continues building a loyal following through electrifying performances and community-driven music experiences.

We dive into the new record, touring, live music, KC culture, brass band influences, and what lies ahead for this exciting ensemble. Tune in.

Get the album & more:
https://backalleybrassband.bandcamp.com/album/some-bright-morning
https://www.backalleybrass.com/
https://backalleybrassband.bandcamp.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and Kansas City jazz mainstay Alex Abramovitz on the new 2026 album Jumpin’ on Grand Live at Black Dolphin with his Swing’n Kansas City Jazz Band.

We caught up with this veteran KC musician to discuss the rich Kansas City jazz scene, his longtime performances at iconic venues like the Green Lady Lounge and Black Dolphin, the making of this exciting live album, and the deep tradition of swing jazz that continues to thrive in KCMO.

Recorded live at Black Dolphin on October 18, 2025 during one of the band’s regular Saturday night “swing shift” performances, the album captures the authentic energy, improvisation, and timeless spirit of live Kansas City jazz. From his early musical experiences playing with John Scott to assembling one of the city’s premier swing ensembles, Alex shares stories, history, and insight from decades in the jazz world.

The official CD release event takes place Saturday, June 13 from 9:45 PM to 1 AM at Black Dolphin, located at 1813 Grand Blvd. in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

In this interview, we discuss live jazz performance, Kansas City swing, jazz history, improvisation, jazz clubs, recording live albums, the modern KC jazz scene, bandleading, and the enduring power of traditional jazz music.

This is a great conversation for jazz lovers, musicians, and anyone passionate about live music and Kansas City culture. Dig in.

Get the album and more:
https://www.swingnkansascityjazz.com/
https://greenladylounge.com/lp.html

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz bassist, composer, and bandleader Mark Wade on his 2026 release New Stages with his trio on Dot Time Records.

This latest project marks not only a brand-new album, but also a major turning point in Mark’s creative evolution — a moment where years of innovation, artistry, and experience merge with exciting future ambitions. New Stages is a collection of original jazz works inspired by treasured classical music that Mark has developed a deep personal connection with over many years, now reimagined through the lens of modern jazz trio performance.

Mark Wade continues to establish himself as a contemporary composer with a truly global musical perspective, blending jazz improvisation, classical influences, lyrical storytelling, and adventurous composition into a deeply expressive sound.

We first interviewed Mark back in 2018 and again in 2022, and now four years later he returns to Neon Jazz to discuss this fresh new chapter, his evolving artistry, the trio dynamic, composition, recording, performance, and the inspiration behind New Stages.

This is another thoughtful and compelling conversation with one of modern jazz’s most creative voices. Enjoy this interview.

Get the album:
https://dottimerecords.bandcamp.com/album/new-stages

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Illinois-based jazz guitarist, composer, educator, and Fulbright Scholar Mark Tonelli. We got into his new 2026 album Brasiliana and his fascinating path through the world of jazz and Brazilian music.

This breakthrough release blends the vibrant rhythms, melodies, and spirit of Brazilian music with the creativity and improvisation of contemporary jazz. Featuring an all-star Brazilian cast of musicians, Brasiliana is the result of years of cultural immersion, collaboration, travel, and musical exploration.

Between 2022 and 2025, Mark made thirteen trips to Brazil. His first visit came as a Fulbright Scholar teaching music at a university, and just a few years later he returned as a Fulbright Scholar once again — this time to create and record Brasiliana.

Mark’s life story is equally compelling. His path moved from medicine to architecture before ultimately leading him fully into music, jazz guitar, education, composition, and international artistic collaboration.

In this interview, we discuss Brazilian jazz, guitar improvisation, cultural exchange, Fulbright experiences, composition, jazz education, travel, creativity, world music influences, live performance, and the inspiration behind Brasiliana.

We also dive into the remarkable journey that shaped his life and music. Dig this interview.

Get the album:
https://marktonelli.bandcamp.com/album/brasiliana

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz professor, musician, author, interviewer, and podcast host David Schroeder. We are honored to welcome David back to the show to discuss his moving new 2026 album A Kind of Gentle Light along with his fascinating work interviewing some of the most important figures in jazz history.

Following a landmark year spent in intimate conversations with 95-year-old jazz icon Sonny Rollins, the families of Duke Ellington and Stan Getz, and the inner circle of David Sanborn, this NYU Professor of Jazz Studies continues to bridge music, storytelling, history, and humanity in powerful ways.

A Kind of Gentle Light offers a deeply meditative and emotionally resonant musical dialogue centered on compassion, reflection, and shared human experience. The album features David’s expressive work on chromatic harmonica, bass flute, and the Mongolian ever buree — a rare and hypnotic instrument he mastered during time spent performing in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Joining him is acclaimed Italian pianist Antonio Figura, helping shape an album filled with beauty, atmosphere, and emotional depth.

In this interview, we discuss jazz history, improvisation, podcasting, storytelling, education, world music influences, composition, spirituality in music, modern jazz, and the inspiration behind A Kind of Gentle Light.

We cover a wide range of fascinating territory on this memorable rendezvous on Neon Jazz. Dig this conversation.

Listen to the album:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/kind-and-gentle-light/1867658291
https://open.spotify.com/track/4PEnGGyEP5vzYTFA3eOVg0?si=cdd4c0ab7aa44313&nd=1&dlsi=dcb35b5ed889404a

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