Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Slovak guitarist and composer David Kollar. We caught up with David during a break in his studio to explore his new 2026 album, Music From the Bag, his work composing music for movie soundtracks, his remarkable musical journey, and much more.

For nearly a decade, David has collected riffs, grooves, musical sketches, and unfinished compositions that never quite found a home on his other records. With Music From the Bag, these ideas get a chance to come together, offering a glimpse into years of experimentation, creative discovery, and musical evolution.

David's career spans a fascinating range of musical worlds. He co-founded KOMARA with King Crimson drummer Pat Mastelotto and fellow King Crimson member Trey Gunn, and has collaborated with acclaimed musician and producer Steven Wilson. His work as a guitarist and composer moves across progressive music, improvisation, experimental sounds, and cinematic storytelling.

In this conversation, we dig into the inspiration behind Music From the Bag, the process of turning long-shelved musical ideas into a finished album, his experiences working on film soundtracks, and the stories and influences that have shaped his distinctive sound.

From the studio to the screen, David Kollar continues to explore the possibilities of sound, texture, rhythm, and composition.

All things David Kollar:
https://www.davidkollar.com/
https://davidkollar.bandcamp.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with North Carolina-based jazz guitarist Daniel DeLorenzo, returning to the show to discuss his 2026 album, Can You Not.

This latest release continues Daniel's exploration of his distinctive compositional style and unconventional approach to the guitar. Featuring six original compositions, the album showcases a musical relationship shaped by countless improvisations, creative collaborations, and a shared commitment to exploring new sonic territory.

Daniel is joined by the masterful Theous Jones on drums and Casey Toll on bass, whose musicianship brings depth, energy, and interplay to the trio's sound. Together, they create music that balances carefully crafted compositions with the spontaneity and freedom of improvisation.

In this conversation, we get into the making of Can You Not, Daniel's evolving approach to jazz guitar, the chemistry behind the trio, live performances, and what's next in his musical journey.

It's always great to welcome Daniel back to Neon Jazz for another conversation about creativity, collaboration, and the ever-expanding possibilities of jazz.

🎧 Listen to Can You Not:
https://danieldelorenzo.bandcamp.com/track/can-you-not

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Kansas City-born former U.S. Congressman and Los Angeles jazz radio personality David Dreier.

A sixth-generation Kansas Citian, David's love of jazz began when he was just seven years old. His father introduced him to Kansas City's rich jazz heritage and took him to see the legendary Count Basie. During the concert, Basie introduced a tune as “April in Kansas City”—and it took David a while to discover that the song was actually “April in Paris.” It's a memorable story that captures the humor, history, and magic of a lifelong connection to jazz.

David's musical roots run deep. His mother was a classical concert pianist, and at just 12 years old, he obtained his third-class FCC radio operator license and began broadcasting jazz from a small transmitter in his basement. Even then, he dreamed of one day working in radio.

His life took a different path first. David served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1981 to 2013, representing California through a long career in American politics. After decades of public service, he finally realized his childhood dream of becoming a jazz radio host.

Today, he brings that passion to “David Dreier: KC to KJazz,” his show on Los Angeles' K-Jazz, connecting his Kansas City roots with the music and artists he has loved for a lifetime.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we explore Kansas City's jazz legacy, the influence of Count Basie, David's unusual journey from politics to radio, and the enduring power of music to shape a life.

🌐 More David Dreier — K-Jazz host biography:
https://www.kkjz.org/mobile/programming/hosts/bios/?id=89

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Italy-based guitarist Luca Falomi and violinist Anaïs Drago! We caught up with these acclaimed musicians to explore their 2026 album, ¡Gracia!, the story behind their musical partnership, and the creative vision that brought their new trio together.

Joined by accordionist Fausto Beccalossi, Falomi and Drago make their debut as a trio with a distinctive sound that draws from jazz, classical music, and diverse folk traditions. The result is a project that feels both deeply rooted in tradition and refreshingly contemporary.

On a poetic level, ¡Gracia! takes inspiration from Federico García Lorca, the celebrated Spanish poet associated with the cultural ferment of the early twentieth-century avant-garde—a time when music, poetry, and visual art came together in visionary and revolutionary ways.

In this conversation, we explore the origins of the trio, the making of ¡Gracia!, their diverse musical influences, and the ideas that shape this compelling collaboration. It's a fascinating meeting of musical worlds, artistic expression, and creative imagination.

🎧 Get the album ¡Gracia!:
https://anaisdrago.bandcamp.com/album/gracia

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with guitarist and oudist Mustafa Dill, returning to the show with new music from the 2026 project Love Unfold the Moon: Hidden Promises in Joined Terrains, Apex Emerging.

We caught up with Mustafa about a year ago, and now he's back with fresh material and new ideas to explore. This conversation takes us inside a fascinating musical world where free jazz, open improvisation, and collective creativity come together in unexpected ways.

Working within the lineage of free jazz, this semi-acoustic improvising ensemble embraces a distinctly process-oriented approach to music. Rather than imposing a fixed structure from the beginning, the musicians start with open improvisation and allow composed material to emerge organically through sustained listening, interaction, and discovery.

Mustafa Dill first emerged in the mid-1990s with acoustic solo work that brought together flamenco and free improvisation. His continuing musical evolution reflects a restless creative spirit and a willingness to explore the spaces between tradition, experimentation, and spontaneous expression.

In this return visit to Neon Jazz, we discuss the new project, his ongoing artistic journey, the relationship between composition and improvisation, and the musical conversations that unfold when musicians truly listen to one another.

If you're drawn to adventurous guitar, the expressive voice of the oud, experimental jazz, and music that refuses to stand still, this is an interview to dig into.

🎧 Get the album:
https://loveunfoldthemoon.bandcamp.com/album/hidden-promises-in-joined-terrains-apex-emerging

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed veteran Hammond B3 organist and composer Jerry Z. Dig this conversation as we explore Break Allegro, Jerry Z’s debut album as a leader, released in 2026, and the colorful musical journey behind a career fueled by soulful grooves, fiery improvisation, and a deep connection to jazz, blues, and funk.

Jerry Z is a seasoned musician whose story runs through some exciting corners of the music world. After spending many years based in New York, where he became a familiar presence on the city’s jazz scene, he now calls Austin, Texas, home. Along the way, he has established himself as both a compelling bandleader and a sought-after collaborator.

He is particularly known for his work with The Headhunters and guitarist Oz Noy, and his musical résumé spans an impressive range of jazz, funk, soul, and blues artists. His collaborations and performances have included Mike Clark, Melvin Sparks, Delbert McClinton, Mark Whitfield, NEA Jazz Master Donald Harrison, and many more.

In this interview, we get into the making of Break Allegro, his Hammond B3 approach, years of experience on the New York jazz scene, international touring with his own trio, and the musical connections that have shaped his remarkable career.

From deep-pocket grooves to adventurous solos, Jerry Z brings the kind of organ-driven energy that keeps jazz swinging and evolving.

🎹 More Jerry Z:
https://www.jerryzmusic.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with NYC-based rising jazz vocalist, composer, and bandleader Ekep Nkwelle. Dig into the story behind Caged Bird, her powerful debut album of 2026, and discover the personal journey, musical roots, and artistic vision shaping one of jazz’s exciting emerging voices.

Inspired by Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Caged Bird explores the journey from sorrow toward inspiration. Its themes of human suffering, resilience, freedom, and the pursuit of a better future give this project a deeply meaningful emotional foundation.

Ekep’s ability to move and inspire audiences began early. At just 12 years old, she was already leading worship, developing the expressive power that would become central to her artistry. Her love of jazz grew while attending Washington, D.C.’s Duke Ellington School of the Arts, where classical vocal training helped shape her musicianship and distinctive approach to performance.

In this conversation, we explore her early influences, the road from gospel and classical training into jazz, the inspiration behind Caged Bird, and the experiences that have shaped her growing career as a singer, composer, and bandleader.

This is a conversation about music with meaning, the courage to find your voice, and the transformative power of jazz.

🎙️ Learn more about Ekep Nkwelle:
https://www.ekepnkwelle.com/

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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Brooklyn-based jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader Victor Solano. Dig this conversation as we explore Victor’s 2026 album, Sundate, his journey through the world of jazz, and his emergence as a bandleader with a sound and vision all his own.

Born and raised in the Marcy Houses in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, Victor brings his roots, musical instincts, and deep appreciation for jazz tradition to the forefront. Sundate marks his debut as a bandleader, adding a fresh voice to today’s evolving jazz landscape.

Leading a dynamic sextet inspired by Art Blakey’s 1981 Jazz Messengers, Victor pairs catchy, memorable horn lines with an adventurous, step-up-and-show-out approach to improvisation. The result is a group built for bold solos, tight ensemble playing, and the kind of energy that keeps jazz moving forward.

Victor Solano’s sextet features: Victor Solano — tenor saxophone | Alfredo Colon — alto saxophone | Carter Yasutake — trumpet | Jonathan Paik — piano | Steve Williams — bass | Justin Henry — drums

We talk about his Brooklyn upbringing, his musical development, the making of Sundate, the influence of jazz legends, and what it means to build a career in today’s jazz world.

If you love hard bop, swinging sextets, powerhouse horn lines, and the next generation of jazz artists, this is an interview to dig into.

🎷 Get the music and follow Victor Solano:

Website and album information: https://victorsolanomusic.com/new-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vic_escobar_/

Listen to the music: https://orcd.co/zayin

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