Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring acclaimed Bay Area jazz vocalist Faye Carol, one of the most respected and enduring voices in American jazz, blues, and gospel.
In this exclusive interview, we celebrate the release of her outstanding 2026 album, Forever Dynamic—a 20-song collection that showcases the depth, soul, and emotional power that have made Faye Carol a treasured musical force for decades. Blending jazz, blues, gospel, soul, and the Great American Songbook, Forever Dynamic is a fitting milestone in a remarkable career that continues to inspire audiences.
Though she has long been revered throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, Faye Carol's extraordinary body of work deserves even greater national recognition. After moving from Mississippi to California as a teenager, she released her debut recording in 1967 and has since become one of the region's most influential vocalists, recording ten albums as a leader and appearing on numerous acclaimed collaborations.
Faye Carol's voice, artistry, and commitment to uplifting others have made her one of the Bay Area's true cultural treasures. This is an inspiring conversation with a living legend whose music continues to resonate across generations.
Get the album Forever Dynamic:
https://fayecarol.bandcamp.com/
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with acclaimed jazz pianist, composer, and educator Helen Sung, celebrating the release of her stunning 2026 album Oracles.
Marking her big band recording debut, Oracles is a sweeping musical statement of freedom, unity, gratitude, and hope. At a time when the world faces division and uncertainty, Helen channels the enduring spirit of jazz—a music built on inclusion, collaboration, and creative expression. Through richly orchestrated compositions and inspired improvisation, Oracles reminds us that every voice has a place at the table.
The album also serves as a heartfelt tribute to the legendary jazz masters who shaped Helen's artistic journey. Each composition honors one of the iconic mentors from the inaugural class of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Performance.
Helen Sung has earned international recognition as one of today's most innovative jazz pianists and composers, and Oracles stands as one of the year's most meaningful and ambitious jazz releases.
Listen and learn more:
https://helensung.bandcamp.com/
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with Colombian jazz pianist, composer, and visionary Holman Alvarez, discussing his stunning 2026 album Uarli’s Bones. This bold new recording blends mythology, memory, and contemporary jazz into a deeply expressive musical journey, featuring an all-star quartet with Patricia Brennan (vibraphone), John Hébert (bass), and Kate Gentile (drums).
Recorded at East Side Sound Studio in Manhattan on May 30, 2024, the album was engineered by Rocky Russo and mixed and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Marc Urselli. Uarli’s Bones explores ancient narratives and modern tensions through adventurous improvisation, modal harmony, and fearless compositional freedom, creating one of the most compelling modern jazz releases of 2026.
If you love adventurous jazz, modern composition, creative improvisation, and conversations with today's most innovative artists, this episode is for you.
Get the album here:
https://holmanalvarez.com/uarlis-bones/
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring co-authors Robert Pallitto and John Melendez, discussing their acclaimed 2026 book, Whistle Stop: The Life of Kenny Dorham.
In this fascinating conversation, we take a deep dive into the first full-length biography of legendary jazz trumpeter Kenny Dorham—one of the most influential yet often overlooked architects of modern jazz. From his roots in rural Texas to the forefront of the bebop revolution, Dorham's remarkable story is finally given the depth and attention it deserves.
Political science professor Robert Pallitto joins forces with his son, John Melendez, to create a biography that combines meticulous historical research with a deep appreciation for jazz. Together, they trace Dorham's journey through the worlds of bebop, hard bop, and post-war American culture while exploring themes of artistic innovation, racial justice, resilience, and creativity.
The authors discuss Dorham's collaborations with jazz giants including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Max Roach, Sonny Rollins, and **Joe Henderson>, along with the lasting impact he had on the evolution of jazz.
If you love jazz history, bebop, biographies, American music, or stories about the pioneers who shaped modern jazz, this interview is essential viewing.
Get the book:
https://www.upress.state.ms.us/Books/W/Whistle-Stop
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series with South Carolina-based jazz trumpeter, composer, educator, and cultural documenter Matt White.
In this episode, we dive into his captivating 2026 album Dolly, a self-produced recording that reimagines the timeless songs of Dolly Parton through the lens of modern jazz. The project bridges Southern musical traditions with adventurous improvisation, offering a fresh perspective on one of America's greatest songwriters while highlighting the enduring connection between jazz, folk, country, and Appalachian musical heritage.
Beyond the recording, Matt discusses his multifaceted career as Chair of Jazz Studies at the University of South Carolina, where he directs the acclaimed Left Bank Big Band, oversees the graduate jazz program, and teaches trumpet, improvisation, composition, and music technology. We also explore his passion for documenting Southern musical history and how that work informs his artistic voice.
Whether you're a fan of jazz, Dolly Parton, American roots music, or innovative musical interpretations, this conversation offers fascinating insights into creativity, education, and the rich musical traditions of the American South.
Get the album:
https://mattwhitejazz.bandcamp.com/album/dolly
Subscribe to Neon Jazz for exclusive interviews with today's leading jazz musicians, composers, educators, and innovators from around the world.
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