Mark Winkler, Lauren Henderson, Ben Clifton & Hal Galper

We step into the 919th episode of Neon Jazz with a bittersweet note—bidding farewell to jazz titan Hal Galper, who left us at the age of 87 on July 18, 2025. His impact on the music was profound, but it was his role as an educator that continues to echo through generations of musicians. From that moment of reflection, we turn the dial forward into a vibrant mix of new sounds—fresh releases from the US Air Force Airmen of Note, the powerhouse Ira B. Liss Big Band, the soulful Marcus Rutz, the ever-versatile Mark Winkler, and the adventurous Ned Rothenberg. The journey continues with a showcase of stellar vocalists: Dara Starr Tucker, Lauren Henderson, and Victoria Cardona, each bringing their own magic to the mic. And to close the hour, we land on a gem—a sublime single from Kansas City's own E.E. Pointer. Dig in and feel the jazz, my friends.

Playlist

• Hal Galper "Welcome to my Dream" The Guerrilla Band (Mainstream Records) 0:00
• Host talks 4:09
• US Air Force Band Airmen of Note "McCoy Joropo" Around the Horn (Altissimo) 7:13
• Dara Starr Tucker "The Space" Time Wouldn't Wait (Green Hill Productions) 12:12
• Host talks 15:33
• Ira B. Liss Big Band Machine "French Fries" Unexpected Guests (Tallman Productions) 16:02
• Ben Clifton "Lost on Maple" Overlook (Ben Clifton Music) 19:54
• Host talks 24:10
• Lauren Henderson "Bold" Sonidos (Brontosaurus Records) 24:41
• Markus Rutz "Many Moons" Many Moons (Third Coast Sounds) 27:59
• Host talks 32:49
• Mark Winkler "Cat Women on the Moon" Hold On (Cafe Pacific Records) 33:21
• Julien Dubois "Premiere Vexation" Copernic—Le Soi et LAutre (Deluge) 37:30
• Host talks 43:26
• Ned Rothenberg "Resistance Anthem" Looms & Legends {Pyroclastic Records) 43:42
• Juanjo López "Grace" Above Beyond Within (Desafio Cadente) 46:59
• Host talks 52:07
• Victoria Cardona "George from Heaven" Que Paso (Leggero Records) 52:32
• Host talks 54:22
• E.E. Pointer "Sublime" 2025 Single (E.E. Pointer) 54:54