Joey Devassy & Interplay Jazz Orchestra on New Album Bite Your Tongue, Band History & More

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with jazz trombonist Joey Devassy of the Interplay Jazz Orchestra. We caught up with Joey to talk about the orchestra’s outstanding new 2026 album Bite Your Tongue, his personal journey into jazz, and the continuing evolution of the Interplay Jazz Orchestra. Formed in 2013 as an offshoot of the Hofstra Alumni Jazz Orchestra, the Interplay Jazz Orchestra emerged from a shared desire to create a more composer-driven vision for the modern jazz orchestra. Led by Joey Devassy and Gary Henderson, the ensemble operates as a true collective — showcasing original compositions and arrangements that reflect the unique voices of its members while giving nearly every musician an opportunity to shine as a soloist. The new album Bite Your Tongue moves effortlessly through a wide range of jazz styles and textures, including straight-ahead swing, samba, ballads, slow blues, hard bop, and funk. It’s a dynamic and richly layered recording that highlights both ensemble precision and adventurous improvisation. In this interview, we discuss jazz composition, arranging, big band leadership, improvisation, modern jazz orchestra culture, trombone performance, ensemble collaboration, New York jazz, and the creative process behind this exciting new release. This is a conversation jazz fans, musicians, composers, and lovers of big band innovation will truly appreciate. Dig this interview. Get the album and more: https://interplayjazzorchestra.com/ 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.