Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Ukraine-born, NYC-based Jazz Guitarist George Grydkovets. We take a deep dive into his powerful new 2026 album, Spirit In You, and the remarkable journey that has brought him into the heart of the New York jazz scene.
Featuring an all-star band of NYC musicians including John Raymond on trumpet, Ari Hoenig on drums, Ben Tiberio on bass, and Eden Ladin on keyboards, Spirit In You was produced by acclaimed guitarist Gilad Hekselman. The music reflects George's New York experience — the sounds he has heard, the people he has met, and his longing for home — while exploring the profound contrast of building a life in safety as his hometown in Ukraine remains under attack.
Set for release on September 18, 2026, Spirit In You is deeply connected to George's experiences, dreams, identity, and search for a life-affirming spirit through uncertain times.
In this conversation, we talk about his move from Ukraine to America, studying at The New School, the impact of COVID, finding his voice as a jazz guitarist, his dreams for the future, performing live, the making of Spirit In You, and so much more.
From Ukraine to New York City, George Grydkovets' story is one of music, movement, resilience, discovery, and the search for home.
Enjoy this interview with George Grydkovets.
More George:
https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeGrydkovets/
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Toronto-based Jazz Guitarist Jeremy Green. We dive into his new 2026 album, In Motion, a career that started, stopped, and started again, and the many twists and turns that shaped his life in music.
Known for his distinctive blend of jazz, funk, and fusion, Jeremy Green has performed and recorded with acclaimed artists including Mike Stern, Will Lee, and Victor Wooten.
His debut album, Standing Eight, reached #1 on The Roots Music Report Fusion chart, while his original music has earned notable chart success and critical recognition across leading music publications and online platforms.
In this conversation, Jeremy opens up about In Motion, his evolution as a guitarist and composer, the musicians and experiences that shaped his sound, performing with legendary artists, and what it means to return to music after a career that didn't follow a straight line.
From Toronto to stages around the world, we cover the whole ride — jazz guitar, funk, fusion, improvisation, recording, collaboration, career reinvention, and the making of In Motion.
Enjoy this interview with Jeremy Green.
Get the album:
https://jeremygreenguitar.bandcamp.com/album/in-motion
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Indianapolis-based Jazz Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, Producer, Educator & Creative Director Rob Dixon.
We get into his new 2026 album, Naptown Soul, and a life spent in the world of jazz.
Naptown's influence on soul jazz spans generations of musicians and recordings, creating a continuous musical lineage from the legendary Indiana Avenue scene to its wider national reach. With Naptown Soul, Rob Dixon carries that lineage into the present, pushing Indianapolis' rich musical tradition into the 21st century.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and having spent time in New York City, Rob eventually made his way back to Indianapolis, where his musical journey continues to evolve.
In this conversation, we get into the educators who shaped him, the cities that influenced his sound, the gigs and experiences that helped build his career, legendary musicians, Indianapolis jazz history, Indiana Avenue, soul jazz, and the making of Naptown Soul.
It's a deep dive into the past, present, and future of Naptown jazz and the artists carrying its tradition forward.
Dig this interview.
More Rob Dixon:
https://www.instagram.com/robdixonsax/
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz vocalist Denise Donatelli, talking about her powerful new 2026 album Take My Breath Away.
On this deeply personal return to Neon Jazz, Denise reunites with Grammy-winning pianist, arranger, and producer Geoffrey Keezer for a project shaped not only by music, but by an extraordinary journey through life, health, resilience, and a renewed perspective on what matters most.
The tracks on Take My Breath Away were originally recorded in May 2024 at Bunker Studios in Brooklyn, New York. But shortly after returning home to Los Angeles, Denise received difficult news: the results of a mammogram and biopsy confirmed breast cancer.
The album was put on hold as Denise underwent medical treatment throughout the following year. Thankfully, those treatments were successful, and she eventually returned to the studio with an “all clear!”
Now, Take My Breath Away is finally being shared with the world.
In this conversation, Denise opens up about the making of the album, her collaboration with Geoffrey Keezer, the unexpected pause in the creative process, her experience navigating cancer treatment, and the new perspective on life that emerged from it all.
This is a story about music, resilience, survival, gratitude, creativity, and finding your way back to the studio — and back to yourself.
We get into it all in this emotional and inspiring return of Denise Donatelli to the Neon Jazz interview series.
Dig into the story behind Take My Breath Away.
Listen to the album:
Denise Donatelli — Take My Breath Away on Apple Music
Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews featuring jazz vocalists, musicians, composers, producers, and fascinating voices from the world of music.
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Chicago-based jazz bassist and composer Christopher Dammann. On this episode, we dig into his compelling new 2026 project, Dead Words, and the evolving musical life of an artist deeply connected to the world of jazz and improvised music.
Dead Words is a collection of spiritual contrafacts that traces a fascinating path from bebop through free jazz and into today's landscape of improvised music. Following his 2025 sextet debut, the new release further establishes Christopher Dammann's distinctive compositional voice — historically grounded, deeply swinging, adventurous, and committed to exploration without nostalgia.
Released by Shifting Paradigm Records, Dead Words features an extraordinary ensemble including Jim Baker, Jon Irabagon, James Davis, and Mike Reed, alongside Dammann's bass and compositions.
We also get into Christopher's life as a performer and composer, his approach to writing and improvisation, the evolution of his sound, and his work as a teaching artist with The People's Music School of Chicago, the city's largest tuition-free music school.
This is a conversation about Chicago jazz, modern jazz composition, free jazz, bebop, improvisation, jazz history, musical exploration, education, and the artists continuing to push the music forward.
Dig this interview with Christopher Dammann and discover Dead Words.
Get the album — Dead Words:
Christopher Dammann — Dead Words on Bandcamp
More about The People's Music School:
The People's Music School of Chicago
Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews featuring jazz musicians, composers, singers, educators, producers, and fascinating voices from the global jazz community.
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