Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series. On this episode, we talk with saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer Jeff Lederer about his 2026 album There’s a Yearnin’.
In a career defined by bold artistic choices, this project stands as one of his most ambitious statements — a powerful convergence of jazz and notated music that brings important, under-heard works back into the spotlight.
Released on his imprint Little (i) Music, the album features the first recording of a woodwind sextet by Eric Dolphy, a new realization of Ornette Coleman’s rarely performed Forms and Sounds, and newly arranged works by Oliver Nelson for winds and voice. The project is anchored by a newly rescored original composition from Lederer himself.
A key collaborator throughout the album is vocalist Mary LaRose, whose deep connection to Oliver Nelson’s music — including writing lyrics inspired by his themes and solos — helps reimagine these works in a fresh and compelling way.
In this conversation, we explore the creative process behind the album, the intersection of jazz and composition, and the importance of preserving and evolving musical legacies in today’s world.
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