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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with UK-based Jazz Flutist, Multi-Instrumentalist & Composer Eddie Parker. We dive into his new 2026 album, Airborn, created with acclaimed guitarist Rob Luft, while exploring Eddie's remarkable life and career across the world of music. Eddie Parker has built a career around curiosity, collaboration, experimentation, and an openness to musical possibilities. Along the way, he has worked with future musical luminaries including Django Bates and became widely recognized for his work in the 1990s with South African piano genius Bheki Mseleku. He is also a regular member of the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble, while his Debussy Mirrored Ensemble has more recently gained attention for its distinctive compositions and performances. Eddie describes himself as a qualified “eclectician” — a perfect description for a musician whose influences stretch across genres and generations. From Schoenberg to Santana and far beyond, Eddie explores a vast musical landscape while treating each influence with respect and transforming it through his own unmistakable voice. In this conversation, we get into Airborn, working with Rob Luft, his collaborations with some of the most adventurous musicians of his generation, the evolution of his sound, the Debussy Mirrored Ensemble, the Will Gregory Moog Ensemble, and a lifetime spent exploring the endless possibilities of music. Jazz, classical, fusion, electronic music, improvisation, composition, collaboration — Eddie Parker has traveled through it all. Dig this interview. Listen to the album:https://open.spotify.com/artist/3PMe9jBKXMLsV3gyaEAuOs 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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Ukraine-born, NYC-based Jazz Guitarist George Grydkovets. We take a deep dive into his powerful new 2026 album, Spirit In You, and the remarkable journey that has brought him into the heart of the New York jazz scene. Featuring an all-star band of NYC musicians including John Raymond on trumpet, Ari Hoenig on drums, Ben Tiberio on bass, and Eden Ladin on keyboards, Spirit In You was produced by acclaimed guitarist Gilad Hekselman. The music reflects George's New York experience — the sounds he has heard, the people he has met, and his longing for home — while exploring the profound contrast of building a life in safety as his hometown in Ukraine remains under attack. Set for release on September 18, 2026, Spirit In You is deeply connected to George's experiences, dreams, identity, and search for a life-affirming spirit through uncertain times. In this conversation, we talk about his move from Ukraine to America, studying at The New School, the impact of COVID, finding his voice as a jazz guitarist, his dreams for the future, performing live, the making of Spirit In You, and so much more. From Ukraine to New York City, George Grydkovets' story is one of music, movement, resilience, discovery, and the search for home. Enjoy this interview with George Grydkovets. More George:https://www.facebook.com/GeorgeGrydkovets/  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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Toronto-based Jazz Guitarist Jeremy Green. We dive into his new 2026 album, In Motion, a career that started, stopped, and started again, and the many twists and turns that shaped his life in music. Known for his distinctive blend of jazz, funk, and fusion, Jeremy Green has performed and recorded with acclaimed artists including Mike Stern, Will Lee, and Victor Wooten. His debut album, Standing Eight, reached #1 on The Roots Music Report Fusion chart, while his original music has earned notable chart success and critical recognition across leading music publications and online platforms. In this conversation, Jeremy opens up about In Motion, his evolution as a guitarist and composer, the musicians and experiences that shaped his sound, performing with legendary artists, and what it means to return to music after a career that didn't follow a straight line. From Toronto to stages around the world, we cover the whole ride — jazz guitar, funk, fusion, improvisation, recording, collaboration, career reinvention, and the making of In Motion. Enjoy this interview with Jeremy Green. Get the album:https://jeremygreenguitar.bandcamp.com/album/in-motion 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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Indianapolis-based Jazz Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, Producer, Educator & Creative Director Rob Dixon. We get into his new 2026 album, Naptown Soul, and a life spent in the world of jazz. Naptown's influence on soul jazz spans generations of musicians and recordings, creating a continuous musical lineage from the legendary Indiana Avenue scene to its wider national reach. With Naptown Soul, Rob Dixon carries that lineage into the present, pushing Indianapolis' rich musical tradition into the 21st century. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and having spent time in New York City, Rob eventually made his way back to Indianapolis, where his musical journey continues to evolve. In this conversation, we get into the educators who shaped him, the cities that influenced his sound, the gigs and experiences that helped build his career, legendary musicians, Indianapolis jazz history, Indiana Avenue, soul jazz, and the making of Naptown Soul. It's a deep dive into the past, present, and future of Naptown jazz and the artists carrying its tradition forward. Dig this interview. More Rob Dixon:https://www.instagram.com/robdixonsax/ 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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz vocalist Denise Donatelli, talking about her powerful new 2026 album Take My Breath Away. On this deeply personal return to Neon Jazz, Denise reunites with Grammy-winning pianist, arranger, and producer Geoffrey Keezer for a project shaped not only by music, but by an extraordinary journey through life, health, resilience, and a renewed perspective on what matters most. The tracks on Take My Breath Away were originally recorded in May 2024 at Bunker Studios in Brooklyn, New York. But shortly after returning home to Los Angeles, Denise received difficult news: the results of a mammogram and biopsy confirmed breast cancer. The album was put on hold as Denise underwent medical treatment throughout the following year. Thankfully, those treatments were successful, and she eventually returned to the studio with an “all clear!” Now, Take My Breath Away is finally being shared with the world. In this conversation, Denise opens up about the making of the album, her collaboration with Geoffrey Keezer, the unexpected pause in the creative process, her experience navigating cancer treatment, and the new perspective on life that emerged from it all. This is a story about music, resilience, survival, gratitude, creativity, and finding your way back to the studio — and back to yourself. We get into it all in this emotional and inspiring return of Denise Donatelli to the Neon Jazz interview series. Dig into the story behind Take My Breath Away. Listen to the album:Denise Donatelli — Take My Breath Away on Apple Music Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews featuring jazz vocalists, musicians, composers, producers, and fascinating voices from the world of music.  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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Chicago-based jazz bassist and composer Christopher Dammann. On this episode, we dig into his compelling new 2026 project, Dead Words, and the evolving musical life of an artist deeply connected to the world of jazz and improvised music. Dead Words is a collection of spiritual contrafacts that traces a fascinating path from bebop through free jazz and into today's landscape of improvised music. Following his 2025 sextet debut, the new release further establishes Christopher Dammann's distinctive compositional voice — historically grounded, deeply swinging, adventurous, and committed to exploration without nostalgia. Released by Shifting Paradigm Records, Dead Words features an extraordinary ensemble including Jim Baker, Jon Irabagon, James Davis, and Mike Reed, alongside Dammann's bass and compositions. We also get into Christopher's life as a performer and composer, his approach to writing and improvisation, the evolution of his sound, and his work as a teaching artist with The People's Music School of Chicago, the city's largest tuition-free music school. This is a conversation about Chicago jazz, modern jazz composition, free jazz, bebop, improvisation, jazz history, musical exploration, education, and the artists continuing to push the music forward. Dig this interview with Christopher Dammann and discover Dead Words. Get the album — Dead Words:Christopher Dammann — Dead Words on Bandcamp More about The People's Music School:The People's Music School of Chicago Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews featuring jazz musicians, composers, singers, educators, producers, and fascinating voices from the global jazz community.  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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed Nashville-based jazz trombonist Bob McChesney. On this episode, we dig into Bob's brilliant new 2026 album, Wingwalkers, and explore a remarkable jazz career that began in Baltimore, spent decades in Los Angeles, and eventually brought him to Nashville. Bob McChesney began playing trombone in the fourth grade through his public school music program. Decades later, he has become a world-renowned trombone soloist, educator, and authority on trombone pedagogy, developing one of the most distinctive approaches to the instrument. His signature sound is built around beauty, speed, precision, and a deep emotional connection to the music. A central part of his approach is his advanced application of the doodle-tongue technique, giving him extraordinary fluency, clarity, articulation, and harmonic freedom on the trombone. Wingwalkers reflects decades of artistic development and McChesney's highly refined approach to jazz trombone. In this conversation, we get into the making of the album, his musical evolution, his technique, his teaching, the cities and experiences that shaped him, and what continues to drive him as an artist. From Baltimore to Los Angeles to Nashville, this is the story of a trombonist who has pushed the possibilities of his instrument while maintaining a deep connection to the heart and soul of jazz. If you're a fan of jazz trombone, jazz improvisation, jazz education, brass instruments, music technique, Nashville jazz, or great jazz musicians, this conversation is one to dig into. Dig this interview with Bob McChesney — and discover the sound and story behind Wingwalkers. Get the album — Wingwalkers:Bob McChesney — Wingwalkers Autographed CD Subscribe for more Neon Jazz interviews featuring jazz musicians, singers, composers, educators, producers, and fascinating voices from the world of music. 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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with author Michael Pronko, talking about his 2026 book A Guide to Jazz in Japan. Michael was back in his old stomping grounds of Kansas City to sit down with Neon Jazz for a wide-ranging conversation about his early memories of KC, his journey to Japan, and how he became deeply woven into the country's extraordinary jazz culture. In A Guide to Jazz in Japan, Pronko brings together jazz history, cultural insight, travel knowledge, and personal experience to explore one of the most vibrant jazz scenes in the world. More than a travel guide, the book is a love letter to Japanese jazz and an invaluable cultural resource for anyone curious about the music, people, clubs, neighborhoods, and traditions that make Japan's jazz scene so unique. Whether you're planning a trip to Japan, living there, an armchair traveler, or simply a lifelong jazz fan, Michael Pronko points you toward some of the best Japanese jazz experiences — including places far beyond the usual tourist destinations. From Kansas City to Japan, this conversation explores jazz, travel, culture, history, discovery, and the many unexpected connections between two great jazz worlds. Dig into this wide-ranging Neon Jazz conversation with Michael Pronko and discover why Japan has become such an important destination for jazz lovers around the world. Get Michael Pronko's book — A Guide to Jazz in Japan:Michael Pronko — A Guide to Jazz in Japan Subscribe to Neon Jazz for more conversations with jazz musicians, authors, artists, educators, and cultural voices from around the world. 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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Canadian Jazz Guitarist Mike Murray on his powerful new 2026 album, Convergence. We originally caught up with Mike in 2022, and a great many things have changed for his group since that last project. Now, he has finally created the album he always dreamed of—with a stellar cast of musicians and a deeply personal story behind the music. Convergence is a musical portrait of the web of connections formed through long-lasting friendships, chance meetings, musical relationships and the butterfly effects of a near-fatal car crash. The album represents the culmination of years of development as a band, bringing together artists from disparate backgrounds into an explosive, joyful and purpose-filled sonic experience. And perhaps most importantly, it’s an album that refuses to be boxed into a single genre. In this conversation, we get into Mike Murray’s evolution as a guitarist and bandleader, the journey from our 2022 interview to Convergence, the musicians who helped bring his vision to life, the life-changing experiences behind the music, and how unexpected connections can shape an artist's entire creative path. This is a story about jazz, friendship, resilience, creativity, musical connection and finding meaning in the unexpected. We get into the whole story. Enjoy this interview with Mike Murray. Get the album: Mike Murray — Convergence on Bandcamp  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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Composer, Multi-Instrumentalist & Founder/Owner of Wide Hive Records Gregory Howe. We cover the whole range of this fascinating music man who has made a major impact on the world of jazz from both sides of the equation—as a musician and an entrepreneur. Gregory Howe founded Wide Hive Records in 1996 and has made it his mission to record and showcase veteran jazz masters while creating adventurous, alluring and forward-thinking music. In this conversation, we dig into the new 2026 Daggerboard project, Daggerboard: The Skipper and Mike Clark, and the larger musical vision behind one of Wide Hive's signature projects. Primarily active as a producer, mixer and composer, Gregory is also a multi-instrumentalist who performs guitar, synthesizer, turntable, voice and percussion across numerous recordings. His work reflects a deep appreciation for jazz history while continually pushing into new territory. We talk about Wide Hive Records, Daggerboard, Mike Clark, veteran jazz musicians, independent record labels, producing, composing, improvisation, entrepreneurship and Gregory's own evolution as a musician. It's a conversation about what it takes to preserve the legacy of jazz while continuing to move the music forward—and the story of a man who has spent decades building his own place in that world. Dig into the whole story with Gregory Howe. Dig this interview. Get Wide Hive Action: Wide Hive Records  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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with GRAMMY and Emmy Award-Winning Trumpeter, Composer & Synthesist Mark Isham. We caught up with this accomplished Los Angeles powerhouse to talk about his new 2026 album, At the Carousel Club, and a life dedicated to making music across jazz, electronic music, orchestral composition and cinema. An Academy Award-nominated composer, Mark Isham has spent decades moving fluidly between musical worlds while helping shape the sound and narrative of some of the most memorable films and recordings of the past four decades. His work includes film scores for A River Runs Through It, Crash, Blade, and more, while his performing career has included collaborations with legendary artists such as Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison and Stanley Clarke. Now, with At the Carousel Club, Isham returns to his roots with a recombinant musical statement that brings together the many sounds and experiences that have defined his remarkable career. His first solo album in more than 15 years places Mark back at the center of his own musical world. We get into the new album, his jazz roots, synthesizers, composing for film, collaboration, creativity and the evolution of a career that continues to cross boundaries between jazz, electronic music and cinematic sound. Dig this interview with Mark Isham. Get the album & more: Mark Isham Official Website 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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with New Jersey-based Upright & Electric Jazz Bassist John Pachnos. We dig into John's new self-titled 2026 debut album, his career in music, his development as a bassist, and the many different musical worlds he has explored along the way. The album features seven original compositions and showcases a young bassist and composer with a distinctive musical voice. Born and raised in a small town in northwest New Jersey, John's first exposure to music came when he was just 3 years old, after hearing his older sister practicing piano. He later experimented with piano and drums before discovering the bass at age 13 — an instrument that ultimately stuck. John went on to study at Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, where he studied with renowned bassist Kenny Davis. After graduation, his career took him in a variety of directions, including jazz clubs, rock bands, musical theatre pit orchestras and cruise ships throughout the northeastern United States. His new album John Pachnos brings together longtime musical friends and collaborators from his Rutgers years, including Carter Vames, Caleb Heinze, Frankie Midnight and Justin Vedovelli. The record blends jazz with elements of funk, rock, Latin music and Greek musical influences. In this conversation, we talk about learning the bass, finding his musical identity, growing up in New Jersey, Rutgers, jazz education, cruise-ship gigs, musical theatre, playing rock, composing original music, recording his debut album and building a career as a working musician. Dig into this conversation with John Pachnos and discover the story behind his new album and his journey as a bassist. LISTEN TO THE ALBUM:John Pachnos — Apple Music MORE JOHN PACHNOS:John Pachnos Official Website 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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Italy-based Jazz Guitarist Simone Basile and Drummer Antonio Cerfeda. We dig into their new 2026 album Perspectives, a remarkable trio project featuring acclaimed bassist John Patitucci. Released by Encore Music, the album brings together three musicians in a deeply conversational setting, exploring composition, improvisation, sound and the many perspectives that shape a modern jazz experience. Perspectives was released April 24, 2026. The album was recorded at the historic Bunker Studio in New York, with Simone Basile writing and conceiving the entire project. The music grew out of a long international journey that took him through China, Japan and the United States, eventually leading to his meeting with John Patitucci during a June 2025 New York stop. In this tandem interview, we talk about Simone and Antonio's musical roots, how they met, their evolution as musicians, the making of Perspectives, working with John Patitucci, recording in New York, international touring, composition, improvisation and the creative process behind this exciting new jazz project. The album features eight tracks, including “Back Home,” “Bouncin',” “Federica,” “Is That Real?,” “Yin and Yang,” “Perspectives” and “To Johnny.” Dig into this conversation with Simone Basile and Antonio Cerfeda and discover the story behind Perspectives. GET THE ALBUM:Simone Basile — Perspectives on Bandcamp Dig the jazz, my friends.  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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Bay Area jazz vocalist Stella Heath. In this conversation, we explore Stella’s debut album, For Billie, and the remarkable story behind her journey into the world of jazz. Nearly seven decades after Billie Holiday died in 1959, the singular voice and uncompromising artistry of Lady Day continue to resonate—and Stella Heath is bringing that legacy to a new generation. On For Billie, Stella shines a light on Holiday’s enduring influence with a thoughtfully curated collection of songs connected to one of the most important and revealing artists in jazz history. Her approach is not simply about looking backward. It is about discovering what Billie Holiday’s music still has to say in 2026. Raised in Petaluma, California, Stella grew up surrounded by music thanks to her mother, a passionate music lover who helped shape her artistic path. Now based in the Bay Area jazz scene, Stella is beginning to make her mark with a distinctive voice, a deep respect for jazz history and a vision that reaches well beyond the traditional boundaries of the music. As her reputation continues to grow, 2026 could be the year Stella Heath makes her leap onto the global jazz stage. We talk about Billie Holiday, For Billie, Stella’s musical upbringing, her life as a jazz vocalist, the power of Lady Day’s legacy and what comes next. Enjoy this conversation with Stella Heath on Neon Jazz. 🎵 Get the album — For Billie:Stella Heath — For Billie on Bandcamp 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.

Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with Jazz Musician, Author & Berklee College of Music Associate Professor Dr. Ray Seol. In this fascinating conversation, we explore The Prison of Language—a deeply personal and unconventional project that exists as both a book and an album. From his career as a musician and educator to his work as one of the most frequently quoted K-pop scholars in the United States, Ray Seol has a story that crosses musical, cultural and academic boundaries. Recorded during Ray’s Fulbright Scholarship in Korea, the eight-track project grew from interviews with fourteen survivors of suicide loss. The resulting music draws heavily from Korean shamanism and ritual, creating something far beyond what you might traditionally expect from a jazz album. There is also a deeply personal element. One of the tracks was written on the day Ray’s mother was buried more than twenty years ago, adding another layer of memory, grief, culture and musical expression to this remarkable work. From his base in Boston, Ray Seol takes us through the making of The Prison of Language, his experiences in Korea, his work at Berklee, his scholarship surrounding K-pop, and the powerful intersection of music, language, ritual, loss and healing. This is a conversation about much more than jazz. It is about finding a musical language for experiences that words sometimes cannot fully express. Enjoy this compelling conversation with Dr. Ray Seol on Neon Jazz. 🎵 Get The Prison of Language:Amazon — The Prison of Language  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.