Chuck Mangione, Joe Farnsworth, Sarah Wilson & Hermon Mehari

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Welcome to Episode 918 of Neon Jazz—a journey that kicks off in true style with the soulful synergy of Paris-based trumpeter Hermon Mehari and pianist Tony Tixier on their new organic duo project, Soul Song. Hermon, with his deep Kansas City roots, continues to illuminate the European jazz scene with grace and power. From there, we tip our hats and say a heartfelt farewell to the legendary Chuck Mangione, revisiting a classic cut from his iconic Feels So Good album—a timeless groove that reminds us why his sound will never fade. The episode flows on with stellar new music from veteran heavyweights like Joe Farnsworth, Cory Weeds, Sarah Wilson, Ron Blake, and Richard D. Johnson—all keeping the jazz flame burning bright in 2025. This summer has been a season of farewells, and we mark another with a genre-bending tribute to Ozzy Osbourne, as Scot Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox reimagines "Crazy Train" with swing and swagger. On the vocal front, we spotlight standout voices like Masha Campagne and Nanna Brine, adding depth and elegance to the mix. And as always, we keep the spirit of the game alive with our ongoing push to get MLB legend Dwight "Doc" Gooden back on the Hall of Fame ballot—serving up a slice of baseball jazz via Vince Guaraldi's iconic "Baseball Theme." So lean in, turn it up, and dig the jazz, my friends. This one's rich with soul, swing, and stories that matter.

Playlist

• Hermon Mehari and Tony Tixier "Maimoun" Soul Song (Komos) 0:00
• Host talks 4:21
• Chuck Mangione "Theme From Side Street" Feels so Good (A&M) 6:34
• Joe Farnsworth "What Am I Waiting For" The Big Room (Smoke Sessions) 8:34
• Host talks 13:25
• Cory Weeds & Jerry Weldon "323 Shuter" Cory Weeds Meets Jerry Weldon (Cellar Live) 14:28
• Masha Campagne "Coracao Vagabundo" Alegre Menina (Impetus Records) 18:32
• Host talks 22:11
• Sarah Wilson "Music Appears to Stand Still" Incandescence (Brass Tonic Records) 23:28
• Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox "Crazy Train" Jazz Me Outside, Pt. 2 (mudhutdigital.com) 27:28
• Host talks 32:08
• Ron Blake "April's Fool" Scratch Band {7ten33 Productions) 33:08
• Hannah Brine "Boxes" Blue Sky Now (Independent) 38:59
• Host talks 42:14
• Nicole Johänntgen "When You Breathe" Labyrinth II (Hofa Media) 43:06
• Richard D. Johnson "East of the Sun" Warm Embrace (Afarmusic) 47:01
• Host talks 50:48
• Vince Guaraldi "Baseball Theme" A Boy Named Charlie Brown (Craft Recordings) 52:59

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