Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with veteran jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader Jeff Cosgrove.

On this episode, we discuss the launch of Two Jeffs, the first installment in an ambitious four-part digital album series scheduled for release over the next year. The project celebrates longtime friendships, creative partnerships, and the spirit of improvisation through a stellar ensemble featuring Jeff Lederer on saxophone, clarinet, flute, and vocals, Mark Lysher on bass, and Tom Teasley on percussion.

Unlike many jazz artists who settle in major music centers, Jeff has intentionally built his career away from cities like New York, drawing inspiration from quieter communities. After spending nearly two decades in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, he now calls Middletown, Maryland home—an environment that has profoundly shaped his musical philosophy, creativity, and approach to collaboration.

During our conversation, we explore the making of Two Jeffs, the power of long-term musical relationships, free improvisation, creative independence, composing outside the mainstream, rural life, and the evolving landscape of contemporary jazz.

For fans of adventurous jazz, creative improvisation, and thoughtful conversations with today's leading musicians, this is an interview you won't want to miss.

Learn more and get the album:
https://www.jeffcosgrovemusic.com/
https://motiansickness.bandcamp.com/album/two-jeffs

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Diana Fernandez, YMU Studio Manager and Internship Coordinator in Miami, Florida.

On this episode, we explore the inspiring work happening at YMU Studio, a one-of-a-kind multimedia recording studio that gives students across Miami-Dade County free access to professional music production, recording, and real-world music industry education.

As YMU Studio Manager, Diana oversees every step of the student recording experience—from studio sessions and production to electronic press kits (EPKs), music distribution, publishing rights, and industry internships. What makes the program truly unique is its student-first philosophy: YMU takes 0% of the revenue generated from student recordings, allowing students to retain full ownership and royalties of their music.

The studio's mission is to prepare aspiring musicians, producers, engineers, and creators for successful careers in the music industry by providing hands-on experience in a professional environment while removing financial barriers to access.

During our conversation, Diana discusses the vision behind YMU Studio, mentoring young artists, music education, artist development, internships, recording technology, the changing music business, empowering the next generation of creators, and why investing in young talent matters now more than ever.

If you're passionate about jazz, music education, recording studios, artist development, or the future of independent music, this is an inspiring conversation you won't want to miss.

Learn more about YMU Studio:
https://ymu.org/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-based jazz French horn player, pianist, composer, and improviser Loren Broaddus.

On this episode, we dive into his compelling 2026 album Blackout and explore his evolving musical journey in one of America's greatest jazz cities.

Originally from Springfield, Missouri, Loren began playing piano at age six before discovering the French horn at eleven. Since relocating to Kansas City in 2023, he has quickly become an active presence on the local jazz scene, performing at renowned venues including The Blue Room, Corvino, Vine Street Brewing Co., Westport Bowery, Homer's Coffee House, Urban Café, and The Shop Cigar Lounge.

As one of the few musicians leading with the French horn in modern jazz, Loren is committed to creating a deeply personal musical voice through improvisation, composition, and fearless artistic exploration. His latest album, Blackout, showcases that vision with original music that blends contemporary jazz, lyrical storytelling, inventive harmony, and expressive improvisation.

In this conversation, we discuss the making of Blackout, building a career in Kansas City's thriving jazz community, composing for French horn, balancing piano and horn performance, influences, creativity, improvisation, and the future of modern jazz.

Whether you're a fan of contemporary jazz, jazz composition, unique instrumental voices, or the Kansas City music scene, this is an inspiring conversation you won't want to miss.

Learn more about Loren Broaddus:
https://lorenbroaddus.my.canva.site/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Los Angeles-based vocalist, composer, producer, and multidisciplinary artist Sharada Shashidhar.

On this episode, we dive into her captivating 2026 album A Foot on the Ground and explore her unique artistic journey through jazz, Indian classical music, experimental sound, and contemporary composition.

Released on Colorfield Records, A Foot on the Ground was recorded at Lucy's Meat Market Studio with engineer Pete Min and features an outstanding lineup of collaborators, including acclaimed pianist Benny Bock, Grammy-winning drummer Mark Guiliana, and saxophonist Devin Daniels.

Sharada's music blends the emotional depth of jazz with the rich traditions of Indian classical music, creating a distinctive sound that is both intimate and adventurous. As an active voice in the Los Angeles experimental jazz community, she has collaborated with a wide range of innovative artists and performed throughout the United States and Europe, continually pushing creative boundaries through improvisation, songwriting, and production.

In this conversation, we discuss the inspiration behind A Foot on the Ground, her compositional process, balancing tradition and innovation, recording the new album, life as an independent artist, the Los Angeles jazz scene, collaboration, improvisation, and the evolving landscape of modern jazz.

If you enjoy contemporary jazz, vocal improvisation, global influences, experimental music, or discovering groundbreaking new artists, this interview is for you.

Get the album:
https://sharadashashidhar.bandcamp.com/album/a-foot-on-the-ground

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed St. Louis-based guitarist, composer, and recording artist Todd Mosby and Grammy Award-winning producer Jeff Weber.

On this episode, we take a deep dive into the ambitious and inspiring 2026 album American Heartland, a musical journey designed to capture the soul, spirit, beauty, and character of Missouri through a remarkable blend of contemporary jazz, folk, New Age, acoustic guitar, blues, and jazz-rock influences.

Created with a vision of assembling world-class musicians to tell a uniquely American story, American Heartland features an extraordinary cast of legendary performers, including Vinnie Colaiuta, Tom Scott, Leland Sklar, Luis Conte, and many others. The project was recorded primarily at the iconic Village Studios and mastered at the legendary Bernie Grundman Studios, ensuring world-class sound from start to finish.

The album also features the contributions of associate producer and score supervisor Michael Clark, helping shape a deeply cinematic and emotionally resonant listening experience that celebrates the landscapes, culture, and spirit of the American Midwest.

In this conversation, Todd and Jeff discuss the inspiration behind American Heartland, the creative process, working with elite musicians, recording sessions in Los Angeles, Missouri's musical legacy, contemporary instrumental music, jazz fusion, production techniques, and the power of music to tell regional stories.

This is a fascinating discussion about artistry, collaboration, and creating music that honors place, heritage, and human connection.

Get the album:
https://toddmosby.bandcamp.com/

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