Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Bassist, Composer & Recording Engineer Mike Pope. We dive into his new 2025 album The Parts You Keep and a life well-lived in music. The album reflects on pivotal moments from his 30-year career and the deep emotional ties that connect life and art. One special highlight — Mike traveled to Atlanta to record his 85-year-old mother, an accomplished classical pianist, for the moving closing track “The Parts You Keep.”

Born in Bowling Green, Ohio, Mike grew up surrounded by classical piano and jazz — with early influences like Bill Evans, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock. After starting on piano at 7 and later discovering bass through his brother Dave, his lifelong musical journey began. This conversation digs deep into inspiration, Legacy, and the evolution of a true artist.

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Joe Dimino Podcaster/Artist

Joe Dimino has been writing & creating in a variety of capacities since his college days at the University of Missouri-Kansas City somewhere around 1993. If you are keeping score, that would be about 29 years+. It all began at UMKCs University News as a Sports Writer & turned into a myriad of expressive avenues. Inventing poems, art, video & audio has always been in the proverbial cards.