Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz pianist and composer Armen Donelian, discussing his remarkable 2026 album Inquiry. With Inquiry, Donelian takes another bold creative step on his 15th album, released by Sunnyside Records. The project is the result of a four-year studio process that was carefully conceived, patiently developed and painstakingly executed — ultimately becoming one of the most distinctive and introspective recordings of his long career.
The story behind the album is just as fascinating as the music.
Inquiry began as a series of unaccompanied demo recordings featuring Donelian's newest compositions and arrangements. From that stripped-down beginning, the project continued to evolve, transforming into a haunting and deeply reflective work with little precedent in his extensive body of music.
In this wide-ranging Neon Jazz conversation, we get into the making of Inquiry, the evolution of the project from its original demos, Donelian's creative process, composition, arranging, recording and the many ideas that shaped this extraordinary new chapter.
It's a conversation about patience, experimentation, artistic evolution and what can happen when a musician gives an idea the time and space it needs to become something much larger.
🎹 Get Armen Donelian's Inquiry:
https://armendonelian.bandcamp.com/album/inquiry
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with GRAMMY-winning Engineer & Producer Jim Anderson and Distinguished Trombonist, Composer & Educator Jim Pugh on New American Symphonies. We get into their work on this remarkable project, which reunites two old friends and brings a long-abandoned piece of American musical history back to life.
New American Symphonies features the first-ever recording of Roy Harris's long-lost Trombone Symphony, a major work written for legendary trombonist and bandleader Tommy Dorsey in 1938. The piece was abandoned after a single rehearsal and remained unheard for nearly 90 years.
Decades later, Jim Pugh discovered the missing work in the Library of Congress and reconstructed the score for this recording, giving Roy Harris's Trombone Symphony a new life through a remarkable modern recording.
Jim Anderson brings his extraordinary experience as a GRAMMY-winning engineer and producer to the project, while Pugh's decades as a trombonist, composer and educator provide a unique connection to the music. Pugh's career includes more than 4,000 recording sessions with artists including Steely Dan, Yo-Yo Ma, Philip Glass, Paul Simon, Barbra Streisand, Tony Bennett, Michael Jackson, Pink Floyd and Frank Sinatra.
In this conversation, we explore the story behind New American Symphonies, Roy Harris, Tommy Dorsey, the discovery and reconstruction of the Trombone Symphony, recording technology, orchestral music, jazz, trombone and the extraordinary process of bringing forgotten American music back into the world.
We cover the whole project and so much more.
Enjoy this interview.
Listen to New American Symphonies:
Listen to the album
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Brooklyn-based jazz saxophonist, composer and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Barry. We dig into his compelling new 2026 album If I Did Not Speak Out and the artistic world behind it. This is an album that captures Ryan at a defining moment — bringing together lyrical tenor saxophone playing, original compositions and a close-working quintet for a concise statement filled with warmth, reflection and conviction.
Ryan's music draws from the language of modern jazz while maintaining a deeply lyrical and contemporary voice. His connection to improvisation began early, eventually leading him to discover jazz while performing in his university big band. That experience helped set the course for a career built around composition, collaboration, exploration and the constant pursuit of a distinctive musical voice.
In this wide-ranging Neon Jazz conversation, we talk about If I Did Not Speak Out, Ryan's development as a saxophonist and composer, his approach to improvisation, the chemistry of his quintet, the Brooklyn jazz scene, his multi-instrumental work and the experiences that have shaped his music.
It's a conversation about finding your voice, trusting your artistic instincts and creating music that has something meaningful to say.
Dig into the music. Dig into the story. And dig the jazz, my friends.
🎷 Get If I Did Not Speak Out:
https://ryanbarryjazz.bandcamp.com/
🌐 More Ryan Barry:
https://ryanbarrymusic.com/
https://ryanbarryjazz.eventbrite.com/
📸 Instagram: @rbarrymusic
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz trombonist and composer Ryan Keberle, discussing his new 2026 album Here Is Donato!. We first caught up with Ryan back in 2020, and now we're back together to explore his latest project, a flurry of activity in his musical world, and his ongoing connection to Brazilian music.
Alongside his São Paulo-based band Collectiv do Brasil, Keberle celebrates the music of legendary Brazilian composer and pianist João Donato, one of the most influential voices in Brazilian music. The project brings together the improvisational freedom of modern jazz with the rhythmic and melodic richness of MPB (música popular brasileira), creating a sound filled with warmth, lyricism, rhythmic subtlety and collective interplay.
Here Is Donato! is a vibrant exploration of Donato's enduring music, viewed through the distinctive lens of Ryan Keberle and Collectiv do Brasil. The result is a fresh meeting point between Brazilian music, jazz improvisation, contemporary composition and ensemble creativity.
In this wide-ranging Neon Jazz conversation, we get into the making of Here Is Donato!, the music of João Donato, Ryan's work with Collectiv do Brasil, the relationship between jazz and MPB, his evolution as an artist, his connection to Brazil and plenty more.
Ryan will also celebrate the album with a CD release show at Smalls Jazz Club in New York City on November 11, 2026.
🎺 Get Here Is Donato!:
https://ryankeberle.bandcamp.com/album/here-is-donato
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based Swedish jazz artist, composer, vocalist, and visual artist Sophie Dunér. In this conversation, Sophie Dunér joins us to talk about her bold and fearless new collaborative project with legendary New York pianist Anthony Coleman, Messed-Up Stride. We get into the making of this exciting new album, Sophie's history in music and the arts, her visual artwork, collaboration, creativity, and so much more.
Sophie Dunér and Anthony Coleman will perform their first concert together on October 1, 2026 at ShapeShifter Lab in Brooklyn, featuring a special film presentation of Sophie's visual artwork. Messed-Up Stride will be officially released on November 11, 2026.
Their second ShapeShifter Lab concert on November 5, 2026 will celebrate the forthcoming album release and feature a full exhibition of Sophie's visual artwork.
This is a fascinating conversation about jazz, experimental music, visual art, collaboration, New York City, and the fearless creative spirit behind Messed-Up Stride.
Dig this interview with Sophie Dunér and enjoy the conversation.
🎷 Sophie Dunér & Anthony Coleman – Messed-Up Stride
📍 ShapeShifter Lab, Brooklyn, NYC
📅 October 1, 2026 – First Concert
📅 November 5, 2026 – Album Celebration & Visual Art Exhibition
💿 Messed-Up Stride – Official Release: November 11, 2026
🎟️ Tickets, music & more: Sophie Dunér & Anthony Coleman – ShapeShifter Lab
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