Writer & Musician Michael Stephans on the 2025 Bob Brookmeyer Book On the Way to The Sky

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Writer & Musician Michael Stephans on the 2025 Bob Brookmeyer book On the Way to The Sky. He’s created a deeply eloquent and comprehensive remembrance of jazz icon Bob Brookmeyer, the Kansas City–born musical genius who passed away in 2011 just shy of his 82nd birthday. The book is part memoir, part biography, featuring essays from luminaries like Maria Schneider and Jim McNeely, along with tributes from prominent musicians, writers, and family. Despite Brookmeyer’s six decades as an influential composer, arranger, and educator, he never received the widespread recognition he deserved — and Michael seeks to explore why. With a PhD, two master’s degrees, and years of university teaching, he brings depth and insight to the story. Dig this interview. Life & Musichttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juJF5WWmEGE&pp=ygUlIFRoZSBMaWZlIGFuZCBNdXNpYyBvZiBCb2IgQnJvb2ttZXllcg%3D%3D Get the book:https://untpress.unt.edu/catalog/stephans-on-the-way-to-the-sky/  For More Neon Jazz: Shows via MixCloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/neonjazzkc/Subscribe via Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/user/neonjazzkcSubscribe 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 pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.