Bobby Watson, The Bad Plus, Carrie Jackson, Joe Elefante & Eddie Daniels

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 Elefante, each bringing fresh energy to the scene. We even tip our hats to rock royalty with The Bad Plus reimagining Rush's "Tom Sawyer," in celebration of Geddy Lee's recent visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum right here in KC. Along the way, we revisit timeless magic from Cab Calloway, and close with a heartfelt farewell to the great Jim McNeely—a true jazz titan on both stage and in the classroom. So tune in, turn it up, and dig the jazz, my friends.

Playlist

• Eddie Daniels "Catavento" To Milton with Love (Resonance Records) 0:00
• Host talks 4:17
• Bobby Watson "Perpetual Groove" Perpetual Groove (Red Records) 6:53
• Enoch Smith Jr. "Mitch's Moves" The Book of Enoch, Vol. 1 (Hot Tone Music) 11:08
• Host talks 16:21
• Anthony Stanco "Tales" IN the Groove Live at the Alluvion (OA2 Records) 17:05
• The Bad Plus "Tom Sawyer" Prog (Do the Math Records) 21:39
• Host talks 26:36
• Andy Nevala "Countdown" El Rumbon (ZOHO) 27:40
• Carrie Jackson "Jersey Bounce" Jersey Bounce (Arabesque Records) 29:33
• Host talks 35:40
• Joe Elefante "Nobly Born" Return of the Light {Bespoke Jazz) 36:37
• Kelsey Mines "Sitting and Not Waiting" Everything Sacred, Nothing Serious (OA2 Records) 40:41
• Host talks 45:05
• Cab Calloway "How Big Can You Get (Live)" We the Cats Shall Hep You {Delta Music) 46:11
• Margherita Fava "No Clue" Murrina (Fava Mata) 49:07
• Host talks 52:30
• Jim McNeely "Blue" Primal Colors (Challenge Records) 54:10