Welcome to a very special edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. In this moving episode, we talk with Tracey Ostebo, daughter of super jazz fan John McKergow, about their incredible journey to Kansas City for International Jazz Day 2025.

Based in Mountain View, California, Tracey has been Streaming our podcast nightly to her father—who lives with dementia in Cedar Park, Texas—using Apple’s “share my screen” feature. Over the last year and a half, this ritual has become a cherished way for them to connect and wind down each day through the power of jazz storytelling.

John, a lifelong Count Basie enthusiast, often shares heartfelt reflections after each episode, expressing wonder, appreciation, and joy. Inspired by a touching fan letter from Tracey, and through the efforts of Anita Dixon of UNESCO Creative City, John’s dream of attending a live Count Basie Orchestra performance is coming true.

🎷 On April 30, 2025, at the Kansas City Music Hall, John will witness a historic celebration of 90 Years of Count Basie’s Swing—a night filled with unforgettable music, honors, and community spirit.

🎧 In this episode, we speak with Tracey about her father’s love for jazz, their emotional journey, and what this dream trip means to them both. It’s a story of music, memory, and magic.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/joe-dimino/episodes/Dream-Jazz-Journey-Tracey-Ostebo-on-Her-Father-John-McKergows-Trip-to-KC-for-Basie-at-90-Show-e31eqo9

🎟️ Get Tickets: countbasieanniversary.com

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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.