Greg Abate, Steve Allee, Dave Potter & Thomas Marriott

From the powerhouse trumpeter out of Seattle, we launch into the 897th episode of Neon Jazz with a perfect fusion of grace and power. Leading the charge is veteran trumpeter Thomas Marriott, setting the tone with a track from his 2025 album, Screen Time—proving once again why he's one of the most compelling voices on the horn today. From there, we take a moment of reverence for the late, great Leon Brady, the Kansas City, Kansas legend whose lifelong mission was shaping the next generation of jazz cats. His impact echoes through the musicians he mentored and the countless lives he touched. Next, we dig deep into the fresh sounds of 2025, featuring a stellar lineup of artists who've put in the miles and are still pushing the envelope. New albums from Rodney Jordan, Harry Allen, Greg Abate, and Simón Willson bring a rich spectrum of styles and influences to the table. Adding to the mix, Bigger Badder Bones and La Banda Ramirez bring their distinct flavors, proving that jazz is alive, evolving, and as boundary-pushing as ever. And to close out this tasty hour of music, we turn to the masterful pianist Steve Allee. With his Big Band, he delivers a heartfelt tribute to his roots in Indianapolis with the 2025 album Naptown Sound. It's a fitting finale to an episode packed with passion, history, and the relentless energy of jazz. So sit back, turn it up, and as always—dig the jazz, my friends.

Playlist

• Thomas Marriott "Dexter's Tune" Screen Time (Imani Records) 0:00
• Host talks 4:32
• Leon Brady Leads the Sumner HS KCK "Live" Paris Festival Competition 1972 (Leon Brady) 7:12
• Rodney Jordan "Escapatoria" Memphis Blue (BME LLC) 10:14
• Host talks 14:17
• Harry Allen Trio "Seems to me I've Heard That Song" It Take Three (GAC Records) 14:52
• Henry Scamurra "Urban Forum" Urban Forum (Hentry Scamurra) 19:22
• Host talks 25:08
• Greg Abate "Growing All The Time" Positive Energy (Summit Records) 26:38
• Simón Willson "Feel Love" Bet: Live at Ornithology (Endectomorph Records) 30:25
• Host talks 35:26
• Bigger Badder Bones "Stuff Like This" Sliders (Summit Records) 36:00
• Dave Potter "Straight Up" Retro Groove 2 (Square Biz Records) 41:36
• Host talks 47:02
• La Banda Ramirez "Lizzie's Lounge" Lizzie's Lounge (Metrotang) 47:57
• Host talks 51:54
• Steve Allee Big Band "Sprang a Lang" Naptown Sound (Jazzville Records) 52:43