Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring Pittsburgh-based jazz and world music composer, vocalist, songwriter, and cultural explorer Laura Chu Wiens, better known as AurallaurA.

In this episode, we discuss her fascinating 2026 release, The Critique of Capital: An Engaging Revue, along with her unique path into music, composition, performance, and global cultural exploration.

Raised in a Chinese-American household and shaped by extensive international experiences, Laura has developed an artistic voice that transcends borders and genres. Fluent in both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish, she has immersed herself in musical traditions around the world, studying and performing folk music in Chiapas, Mexico, township jazz in Cape Town, South Africa, Roma music in Belgrade, Serbia, and Lisu minority folk music in Yunnan, China.

Her creative journey has also included writing and performing vocal music for four productions on BBC Radio 4, further expanding her reach as a composer and storyteller.

What makes Laura's story particularly compelling is that music was never originally intended to be her primary path. Yet through curiosity, travel, language, cultural exchange, and artistic exploration, it evolved into a deeply meaningful career and creative mission.

In this conversation, we discuss world music, jazz, composition, cultural influences, global travel, language, songwriting, performance, creativity, identity, and the inspiration behind The Critique of Capital: An Engaging Revue.

This is a rich and engaging discussion for jazz fans, world music enthusiasts, composers, travelers, and anyone interested in how art can connect cultures and experiences from around the globe.

Learn more about AurallaurA:
AurallaurA Facebook Page

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991

Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: 
http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                   
 https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring accomplished Florida-based jazz composer, educator, and recording artist Scott Lee.

In this episode, we discuss his ambitious and genre-defying 2026 album, Greetings from Florida: Postcards from Paradise, a compelling musical exploration of the myths, realities, beauty, and contradictions that define Florida.

This innovative song-cycle project features acclaimed jazz vocalist and guitarist Camila Meza and draws lyrical inspiration from eight poems by Cuban-American poet Carolina Hospital. Together, they create a rich musical narrative that explores the tension between the dream of paradise and the lived experiences of those who call Florida home.

Known for blending jazz, classical influences, and contemporary popular music, Scott Lee has developed a distinctive compositional voice. His music often incorporates odd-meter grooves, interlocking rhythmic patterns, sophisticated harmonies, and a unique balance between intellectual complexity and emotional immediacy.

In this conversation, we discuss the inspiration behind Greetings from Florida: Postcards from Paradise, songwriting, composition, poetry, collaboration, jazz education, bass performance, creativity, and the evolving landscape of contemporary jazz.

Scott also reflects on his musical journey, artistic influences, teaching career, and the process of transforming poetry into powerful musical storytelling.

This is a fascinating conversation for jazz lovers, composers, musicians, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of literature, culture, and music.

Get the album and learn more:
Scott Lee Official Website

For More Famous Interviews: Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgi6GpDDDrc_PgOzaERGbLQ Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-with-joe-dimino/id1660256991

Subscribe via Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7j92QDS13LXgajPt80X2dh

The Home of Famous Interviews: 
http://famousinterviewswithjoedimino.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Famous Interviews via PayPal:                   
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_b

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring acclaimed jazz trombonist, composer, educator, and bandleader Ron Wilkins along with trombone virtuoso, composer, and collaborator Rebecca Patterson.

In this deeply moving and inspiring conversation, we discuss their powerful 2026 album, The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant, a project that explores the nature of time, resilience, healing, and the human experience through the language of jazz.

At its core, the album examines how our perception of time shifts throughout life and how the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered that experience for people across the globe. More personally, the music tells the extraordinary story of Ron Wilkins' own battle with COVID.

After contracting the virus, Ron endured a life-threatening medical crisis that resulted in a medically induced coma lasting 32 days. Thirty-seven days later, he was finally able to come off a ventilator and breathe on his own once again. What followed was a remarkable journey of recovery, reflection, gratitude, and renewed creativity.

Through composition and performance, Ron and Rebecca transform this profound experience into a compelling musical narrative filled with emotion, courage, vulnerability, and hope.

In this interview, we discuss the making of the album, their musical partnership, the creative process, surviving COVID, recovery, resilience, jazz composition, trombone artistry, and the lessons learned from facing mortality and finding a renewed appreciation for life.

This is a powerful conversation about music, perseverance, healing, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Get the album:
The Vigil and The Sleeping Giant on Bandcamp

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

The Home of Neon Jazz: 
http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                    
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed Philadelphia-based jazz vocalist Eddie Bruce.

We caught up with Eddie to discuss his first full big band recording, For Dreamers and Their Dreams, a project that represents a major milestone in a career dedicated to great songs, great performances, and the timeless spirit of swing.

The album features the 17-piece Ed Vezinho and Jim Ward Big Band and showcases a collaboration built on decades of musical friendship, mutual respect, and shared artistic vision. The recording marks Eddie's first complete big band album and fulfills a longtime dream of bringing his vocal style together with the power and richness of a full jazz orchestra.

For years, Eddie balanced a successful career performing at weddings, special events, cabarets, and concert venues. Today, he is focused on projects that truly reflect his artistic passions. For Dreamers and Their Dreams captures that freedom, featuring classic interpretations, heartfelt storytelling, and arrangements crafted by longtime collaborator Ed Vezinho. The album includes beloved standards, fresh arrangements, and Eddie's original composition "Philly Is the City."

In this conversation, we discuss the making of the album, the chemistry of the band, the enduring appeal of the Great American Songbook, the evolution of his career, and why this chapter of his musical life feels especially rewarding.

This is a story about perseverance, passion, friendship, and the realization of a lifelong musical dream.

Get the album and learn more:
Eddie Bruce Official Website

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

The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                   
 https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed jazz saxophonist, composer, and bandleader Pete Mills.

We caught up with Pete to discuss his outstanding 2026 album, This Is Now, a recording that reunites a working group whose musical chemistry has been developing for more than two decades.

Joining Pete on this remarkable project are guitarist Pete McCann, bassist Martin Wind, drummer Matt Wilson, and pianist Kenny Banks Jr.. Together, they create a sound that is relaxed, conversational, swinging, and deeply rooted in the spirit of modern jazz.

In this interview, Pete discusses why This Is Now may be his strongest project to date, the unique chemistry shared by the ensemble, the importance of long-term musical relationships, and how trust and experience allow great improvisers to create music that feels effortless while remaining deeply expressive.

We also dive into his career as a saxophonist, composer, and performer, along with the creative process behind bringing this exceptional group together in the studio.

If you appreciate jazz that balances sophistication, groove, spontaneity, and musical communication, this conversation offers an inside look at one of today's accomplished jazz artists and a band that truly understands how to play together.

Get the album and learn more:
Pete Mills Official Website

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

The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/

Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal:                    
https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.