Neon Jazz Interviews

• Acclaimed Jazz Pianist & Vocalist Eric Byrd

  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring acclaimed jazz pianist and vocalist Eric Byrd. On this episode, we dive into his new 2025 CD Echoes of Arrival, his life in jazz, and the enduring legacy of The Eric Byrd Trio (EBT). For more than 25 years, the trio has brought the spirit of swing, bebop, gospel, and the blues to audiences around the world, earning widespread respect for their soulful and dynamic sound. Winners of the Maryland State Arts Council Independent Artist Award, The Eric Byrd Trio has also received a Governor’s Citation from Larry Hogan honoring two decades of global performances. Eric has been playing professionally for over 30 years, blending swinging bebop lines, gospel-infused harmonies, and blues-driven expression into a distinctive performance style. A Grammy Award voter, Eric has performed with jazz legends including Wynton Marsalis, Chick Corea, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Tim Green, Warren Wolf, Charlie Byrd, and many others. We dig into the music, the journey, and the story behind the new album. Dig this conversation. Get the album: https://ericbyrdtrio.com/echos-of-arrival/  For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkcSubscribe 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Italy-based Multi-Disciplinary Storyteller & Creative Force Lisa Marie Simmons

  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with host Joe Dimino. On this episode, we speak with Italy-based multi-disciplinary storyteller and creative force Lisa Marie Simmons about her brand-new 2025 album NoteSpeak (In a Word) with longtime collaborator Marco Cremaschini, released on Ropeadope. This dynamic project marks the final installment in their widely acclaimed NoteSpeak spoken-word jazz series. The album continues their exploration of language as both a mirror and a catalyst for cultural transformation—blending jazz, Afrofuturism, electronica, and spoken word poetry into a vibrant, boundary-pushing soundscape. From her home on the shores of Lake Garda, Italy, Lisa leads two ensembles—Hippie Tendencies and NoteSpeak—alongside Cremaschini, collaborating across genres and artistic disciplines. Born in Colorado Springs, she survived turbulent adoptions and foster homes, eventually finding healing and direction through music, beginning with her church choir. It’s an remarkable story of resilience, artistry, and innovation. We get into all of it. Enjoy. Get the album:lisamariesimmons.bandcamp.com/album/notespeak-in-a-word For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkcSubscribe 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• NYC Big Band Leader Glenn Crytzer on the 2025 Christmas Album Underneath the Mistletoe

  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with host Joe Dimino.On this episode, we talk with NYC Big Band Leader Glenn Crytzer about his 2025 Christmas album, Underneath the Mistletoe. The esteemed leader of the Glenn Crytzer Orchestra stops by Neon Jazz to discuss the November 20 release of this swinging new holiday project. The album features 20 tracks—including 9 new arrangements of classic holiday favorites and 11 brand-new, toe-tapping originals performed by his full 15-piece big band. Special guest vocalists Dandy Wellington and Hannah Gill join in to bring the festive spirit to life with standout performances. Glenn talks about the making of the album, the craft of big band arranging, holiday jazz influences, and what continues to fuel his creative spark. We cover quite a bit. Enjoy this interview. Get the album:glenncrytzer.bandcamp.com/album/underneath-the-mistletoe  For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkcSubscribe 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Guitarist, Vocalist, Singer & Songwriter Valeria Stewart

  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring Guitarist, Vocalist, Singer & Songwriter Valeria Stewart. We caught up with this incredibly talented artist to talk about her new 2025 album Raices and her rich life in the world of music. Valeria consistently delivers captivating multilingual performances that blend Latin, folk, jazz, and Americana into a warm, personal, and expressive musical experience. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, she grew up in the Washington, DC area and brings both cultures into her art. Beyond music, Valeria works as a part-time preschool teacher in Falls Church, supporting families in transitional housing — a role she loves deeply. As a musician, she performs solo or with her trio Crooked Sparrow, and she is at her happiest when sharing her music and creating genuine connection through it. Enjoy this interview. 🎶 Get the album:https://www.valeriastewart.com/new-music  For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkcSubscribe 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Drummer Steven Crammer, Bassist Walter Stinson and Pianist Evan Main of Prawntail

  Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring Drummer Steven Crammer, Bassist Walter Stinson, and Pianist Evan Main of the dynamic NYC-based trio Prawntail. We dive into the release of their debut 2025 album Prawntail, explore how the trio came together, unpack their creative vision, and talk about what's ahead for this exciting collective project. All three members are highly active sidemen in the New York jazz scene, and this trio offers them the rare opportunity to present their own unified voice, perspective, and artistic identity. Their debut album highlights their chemistry, versatility, and willingness to push the boundaries of the modern piano trio format. We get into the full story — the music, the journey, and the future. Enjoy. 🎧 Get the album:https://prawntail.bandcamp.com/?label=498273&tab=artists For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkcSubscribe 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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