Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz trombonist Reggie Watkins, diving into his powerful new 2025 album, Rivers.

Few cities rival the jazz Legacy of Pittsburgh, home to legends like Art Blakey, Billy Strayhorn, Mary Lou Williams, and Ahmad Jamal. For over two decades, Reggie Watkins has carried that torch—performing with jazz greats like Orrin Evans, Roger Humphries, and the iconic Maynard Ferguson.

Rivers is more than a tribute. It’s a living, breathing document of Pittsburgh’s jazz soul, captured through a tight-knit, intergenerational quartet. Recorded right in the city, the album flows through time, history, and personal expression—blending respect for the past with a bold vision for the genre’s future.

In this interview, Reggie discusses the making of Rivers, the influence of Pittsburgh’s music scene, and the deeper stories behind the tracks. It’s a meaningful, music-rich conversation. Enjoy.

🎧 Listen to the album “Rivers”: https://reggiewatkinsmusic.com/album/3392525/rivers 

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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.