Articles by Joe Dimino
Red Garland, Samara Joy, Billy Hart, Mark Sherman & Marilyn Maye
by Joe Dimino
We step into the 935th episode of Neon Jazz with unmistakable class and pure showbiz magic courtesy of Kansas City's own vocal icon Marilyn Maye, shining brightly with “Time and Time Again" from the newly remastered 2024 album Interludes. She's gearing up for a heartfelt homecoming at the historic Folly Theater on December 21, 2025--a venue that's rising strong after a recent wave of vandalism and ready once again for greatness. From there, we follow the torch as it's carried ...
Continue ReadingKurt Elling, Laura Ann Singh, Johannes Wallmann and Ray Drummond
by Joe Dimino
We open the 934th episode of Neon Jazz with a heartfelt tribute to a giant we lost on November 1, 2025--the incomparable Ray Drummond, bassist, educator, and pillar of the jazz world. From his 2006 gem 1-2-3-4, we spin “Little Waltz" to honor his legacy and say goodbye to a true master. From there, the show widens into a kaleidoscope of sound featuring Gino Amato, Zack Lober, Kurt Elling, Johannes Wallmann, Pat Mariano, and Bill Coon. We spotlight standout cuts ...
Continue ReadingJohn Gunther, Ed Partyka, The Flying Horse Big Band & Angela Verbrugge
by Joe Dimino
Kicking off the 933rd episode of Neon Jazz, we welcome back a familiar voice to these parts--the radiant Canadian vocalist Angela Verbrugge, a true cornerstone of today's jazz landscape. From there, we launch into a wave of fresh 2025 releases lighting up the scene, featuring brilliant new work from The Flying Horse Big Band, Dom Franks, Scott Silbert, Kevin Brown, John Gunther, and Laura Taylor. We keep the momentum rolling with bold new sounds out of Poland from Omasta, the ...
Continue ReadingJack DeJohnette, Horace Silver, Jerry Weldon & Lakecia Benjamin
by Joe Dimino
Kicking off the 932nd episode of Neon Jazz, we dive in with the always electrifying Lakecia Benjamin, joined by Immanuel Wilkins and Mark Whitfield on her powerful new 2025 single “Noble Rise." From there, we journey through a treasure trove of fresh and timeless jazz--unreleased gems from Horace Silver live in Seattle circa 1965, a stirring Chick Corea farewell performance, the haunting beauty of Bill Evans' Haunted Heart, and Charles Mingus captured in full force at Monterey. In between, we ...
Continue ReadingJames Suggs, Ted Rosenthal, Steve Houghton & Sacha Boutros
by Joe Dimino
We step boldly into the 931st episode of Neon Jazz with the brilliant artist, singer, and peace activist Sacha Boutros, spotlighting her enchanting new 2025 release, Paris After Dark--a record brimming with elegance, emotion, and late-night allure. Keeping with the Halloween spirit, we spin Heather McKay's hauntingly fun track “Boo" from her 2025 album Life Got in the Way. The journey continues through the sounds of veterans and jazz luminaries like Neil Gray, Ted Rosenthal, Irving Flores, James Suggs, and ...
Continue ReadingBranford Marsalis, Jennifer Madsen, Johnny Vidacovich, Howard Levy & Brian Culbertson
by Joe Dimino
We kick off the 930th episode of Neon Jazz with the ever-evolving jazz chameleon, Brian Culbertson, spinning sounds from his brand-new 2025 album Day Trip. From there, we flow into a groove featuring one of Culbertson's collaborators--the legendary Branford Marsalis. The journey continues with an eclectic mix of artists, from Richard Carr to Jimbo Ross, each adding their own vibrant color to the set. Along the way, we spotlight modern innovators like David Bode, Johnny Vidacovich, Howard Levy, and Sean ...
Continue ReadingBobby Watson, The Bad Plus, Carrie Jackson, Joe Elefante & Eddie Daniels
by Joe Dimino
We kick off the 929th episode of Neon Jazz with none other than the legendary Eddie Daniels, paying tribute to a Brazilian icon on his 2025 album To Milton with Love--opening with the gorgeous tune “Catavento." From there, we revisit the brilliance of Kansas City's own Bobby Watson with a re-release of his classic album Perpetual Groove. The journey continues with a wave of new sounds from jazz veterans Enoch Smith, Jr., Anthony Stanco, Andy Nevada, Carrie Jackson, and Joe ...
Continue ReadingNicholas Payton, Louis Armstrong, Grant Stewart & Pete Escovedo
by Joe Dimino
We hustle into the 928th Episode of Neon Jazz with a master of the Latin Jazz world in Pete Escovedo. He recently swung through Kansas City to kick off a roaring jazz schedule for the new Folly Theater season. From there, we dig into veterans with new music like Grant Stewart, Nicholas Payton, Jonathan Karrant, Ted Piltzecker and Al Muirhead. The UNLV Jazz Ensemble drops in with new music showing off the future of jazz. We also check in on ...
Continue ReadingChristian McBride, Caelan Cardello, Nicole Zuraitis and Stanley Clarke
by Joe Dimino
In honor of the return of the Kansas City Jazz & Blues Fest after a 20+ year hiatus, we begin with a headliner of that October 4, 2025 day of music gems with the legendary Stanley Clarke with music off his 1993 album East River Dance. From there, we hop right into an Italian musician with deep KC roots in Roberto Magris with music off his new 2025 album Lovely Days. From there, we get into an eclectic mix of ...
Continue ReadingDavid Kikowski, Nick Finzer, Michelle Lordi & Nancy King
by Joe Dimino
We open the 926th episode of Neon Jazz by honoring the incomparable Nancy King, joined here with Fred Hersch, as we bid farewell to her remarkable voice. She passed on August 5, 2025, at the age of 85, leaving behind a luminous legacy of music that will echo for generations. From there, the hour unfolds with a dynamic mix--new works from seasoned masters like David Kikowski, Michelle Lordi, Nick Finzer, and Juliet Ewing, alongside fresh energy from rising talents including ...
Continue Reading
