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We kick off the 915th episode of Neon Jazz with a bold blast from the horn—Antonio Hart, delivering sounds from his soul-stirring 2025 release Blessings. A modern force on the horn and the bandstand, he sets the tone for an episode bursting with brilliance. From there, we roll deep into the heart of 2025's jazz scene—featuring powerful new music from veterans like Nicholas Payton, Dawn Clement, Charlie Hunter, Benny Benack III, Etienne Charles, and the ever-soulful Candice Hoyes. We venture into fresh sonic territory with Jeff Coffin and his genre-blending Wild Iris Bass Band, and explore identity and cultural roots with Peter Lin and the AAPI Jazz Collective, spotlighting their upcoming release Identity. Making a dramatic and mesmerizing debut on the show is renowned singer and actress Ute Lemper, channeling theatrical flair on her evocative new album Pirate Jenny. And finally, we close out with a live gem—Jacob Chung lighting up Frankie's Jazz Club with a performance that grooves deep. Dig the jazz, my friends—this episode is stacked with stories, soul, and serious swing.

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