Saxophonist & Bandleader Victor Solano on Sundate, Jazz Messengers & Brooklyn Jazz

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Brooklyn-based jazz tenor saxophonist and bandleader Victor Solano. Dig this conversation as we explore Victor’s 2026 album, Sundate, his journey through the world of jazz, and his emergence as a bandleader with a sound and vision all his own.

Born and raised in the Marcy Houses in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, Victor brings his roots, musical instincts, and deep appreciation for jazz tradition to the forefront. Sundate marks his debut as a bandleader, adding a fresh voice to today’s evolving jazz landscape.

Leading a dynamic sextet inspired by Art Blakey’s 1981 Jazz Messengers, Victor pairs catchy, memorable horn lines with an adventurous, step-up-and-show-out approach to improvisation. The result is a group built for bold solos, tight ensemble playing, and the kind of energy that keeps jazz moving forward.

Victor Solano’s sextet features: Victor Solano — tenor saxophone | Alfredo Colon — alto saxophone | Carter Yasutake — trumpet | Jonathan Paik — piano | Steve Williams — bass | Justin Henry — drums

We talk about his Brooklyn upbringing, his musical development, the making of Sundate, the influence of jazz legends, and what it means to build a career in today’s jazz world.

If you love hard bop, swinging sextets, powerhouse horn lines, and the next generation of jazz artists, this is an interview to dig into.

🎷 Get the music and follow Victor Solano:

Website and album information: https://victorsolanomusic.com/new-page

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vic_escobar_/

Listen to the music: https://orcd.co/zayin

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