Neon Jazz Interviews

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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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Miami-based acclaimed jazz singer, educator, and performer Lisanne Lyons. We take a deep dive into her new 2026 release May I Come In along with her celebrated journey through the world of jazz.

Possessing a beautiful voice, a natural sense of swing, and a deep connection to the Great American Songbook tradition, Lisanne brings timeless jazz storytelling into a contemporary setting. For this project, she collaborated with arranger Mike Lewis to create lush orchestral arrangements performed by an outstanding jazz orchestra featuring some of Miami and New York’s finest musicians.

Lisanne’s professional career began immediately after high school as a featured vocalist for the United States Air Force Bands, where she traveled and performed around the world. Over the years, she has shared the stage with jazz legends and ensembles including the Woody Herman Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson Big Bop Nouveau, Arturo Sandoval, Larry Elgart, and many more.

In this interview, we discuss jazz vocals, big band music, swing, improvisation, the Great American Songbook, arranging, performance, jazz education, touring, collaboration, and the inspiration behind May I Come In.

She’s full of wisdom, musical insight, and unforgettable stories from decades in jazz. Enjoy this interview with Lisanne Lyons.

Get the album:
https://originarts.com/oa2/recordings/recording.php?TitleID=22248

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Montréal-based guitarist, composer, and bandleader Mike Bruzzese. We talked about his new 2026 album Another Space and his evolving career in the world of jazz.

This second album stands as a deeply collaborative and expressive project that captures the spirit of imagination, connection, improvisation, and shared artistry that shaped its creation. Another Space features an outstanding ensemble including Ben Solomon on tenor saxophone, Mike De Masi on bass, Adam Arruda on drums, and a special guest appearance by vocalist Laura Anglade performing Billy Strayhorn’s timeless classic Lush Life.

Born and raised in Montréal, Mike was surrounded by music from an early age and began playing guitar at the age of 12. By 17, he discovered a deep passion for jazz guitar, setting him on a path toward composition, performance, collaboration, and artistic exploration in contemporary jazz.

In this interview, we discuss jazz guitar, composition, improvisation, collaboration, recording, Montreal’s jazz scene, musical influences, storytelling through music, and the inspiration behind Another Space.

Enjoy the journey and this thoughtful conversation with Mike Bruzzese.

Get the album & learn more:
https://www.mikebruzzese.ca/ 

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