Brooklyn Jazz Pianist Yvonne Rogers on the 2026 Album The Button Jar & Her Career

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz Interview Series featuring Brooklyn-based jazz pianist, composer, and improviser Yvonne Rogers. We caught up with Yvonne to discuss her compelling 2026 solo piano album The Button Jar, a deeply personal and imaginative recording inspired by childhood memories, creativity, and artistic exploration. Growing up in rural Maine, Yvonne often found herself immersed in nature and imagination, drawing inspiration from the world around her. One enduring image was the button jar kept by her artist mother—a collection of colorful, ordinary objects that could be transformed into endless creative possibilities. That powerful metaphor became the foundation for The Button Jar, a solo piano project that blends childlike wonder with sophisticated rhythmic and harmonic language. Produced by acclaimed pianist and composer Kris Davis, the album showcases Yvonne's distinctive voice as a composer and improviser while highlighting her ability to balance playfulness, complexity, and emotional depth. In this conversation, we explore the making of the album, her musical journey from Maine to Brooklyn, her approach to composition and improvisation, the influence of creativity and memory on her work, and her evolving place within today's contemporary jazz scene. Get the album and learn more: The Button Jar on Bandcamp For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/ Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkc Subscribe via iTunes/Apple - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/famous-interviews-joe-dimino/id546432639?mt=2 The Home of Neon Jazz: http://theneonjazz.blogspot.com/ Contribute to Neon Jazz via PayPal: https://www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_button_id=ER Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.