Neon Jazz Interviews

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring acclaimed jazz vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, entrepreneur, and former club owner Marcus Goldhaber.

In this episode, we discuss his outstanding 2026 album, The Promise of You, along with his fascinating journey through the world of jazz, performance, songwriting, and club ownership.

On his sixth recording as a leader, Marcus presents a compelling collection that balances original compositions with timeless jazz standards. The album reflects both artistic growth and a renewed commitment to music after an important chapter in his life as the founder and owner of Room 623, a beloved Harlem listening room that became known for intimate performances and a deep appreciation of jazz artistry.

While operating Room 623 was a labor of love, it also required Marcus to place much of his recording career on hold. After closing the club, he returned his focus fully to creating music, resulting in the heartfelt and sophisticated recordings found on The Promise of You.

Co-produced with acclaimed pianist Art Hirahara, the album features a stellar ensemble including bassist Michael O'Brien and drummer Alvester Garnett, along with special guest appearances from GRAMMY-nominated guitarist Paul Bollenback, saxophonist and clarinetist Jay Rattman, trumpeter Summer Camargo, and three-time GRAMMY-winning percussionist Keita Ogawa.

We discuss the making of the album, jazz vocals, songwriting, entrepreneurship, running a music venue, artistic reinvention, and the experiences that shaped Marcus's unique path through the jazz world.

This is an inspiring conversation about passion, perseverance, creativity, and the enduring power of great music.

Get the album and learn more:
The Promise of You on Bandcamp

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series featuring acclaimed jazz saxophonist, composer, arranger, bandleader, educator, and longtime New York jazz fixture Dave Schumacher.

In this episode, we dive into the new 2026 Cubeye album, Agua Con Gas, while exploring Dave's remarkable four-decade journey through the world of jazz.

For more than 40 years, Dave Schumacher has been a vital presence on the New York jazz scene. As a freelance baritone saxophonist, he has performed in over 465 cities across 41 countries on five continents, building a truly international career through performance, collaboration, composition, and education.

Dave toured extensively throughout the Americas and Europe as a member of Lionel Hampton's orchestra during the 1980s, helping carry on the legacy of one of jazz's most celebrated big bands. One of his career highlights came in 1987 when he traveled to Japan with the Art Blakey Big Band to perform at the renowned Mt. Fuji Jazz Festival.

In 1990, Dave became an original member of Harry Connick Jr.'s orchestra, adding another significant chapter to a career filled with memorable performances and collaborations.

We discuss the inspiration behind Agua Con Gas, life on the road, the evolution of jazz, international touring, arranging, composing, teaching, and the experiences that shaped one of the most respected baritone saxophonists working today.

This conversation is packed with stories from decades on the bandstand and offers a fascinating look into the life of a dedicated jazz artist who has seen the music from every angle.

Get the album and learn more:
Dave Schumacher Bandcamp Page

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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

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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

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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

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