Neon Jazz Interviews

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
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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
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with the Prince of Soul Jazz, international saxophonist and producer Nick Stefanacci, discussing his powerful new 2026 album Right Here, Right Now.
We catch up with Nick from his base in New Jersey to talk about this new project, live performances, independent music production, and what it means to make music in America in 2026. This marks our return conversation with Nick after first speaking with him in 2023.
His fifth studio album, Right Here, Right Now, is a deeply personal project that Nick wrote, arranged, mixed, mastered, and produced entirely himself. The record features former Santana frontman Tony Lindsay and Bruce Springsteen trombonist Ozzie Melendez, adding even more soul and musicianship to an already stellar project.
We also talk about the single “Midnight Affair,” where Nick channels some of the magic and spirit associated with legendary producer and arranger Quincy Jones. The song and album serve as a conversation starter about artistry, independence, creativity, and the continuing legacy of soul jazz.
In this interview, we cover Right Here, Right Now, saxophone, soul jazz, Quincy Jones, live shows, music production, independent artists, the state of music in 2026 America, Nick's creative process, his evolution as an artist, and the future of the soul jazz tradition.
From New Jersey to the world, Nick Stefanacci is making music on his own terms. Dig this interview.
Listen to Right Here, Right Now:
Nick Stefanacci – Right Here, Right Now on Apple Music
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with guitarist Giulio Cuppari and drummer Giosuè Consiglio of the Italy-based Psoas Trio.
We take a deep dive into the trio's new 2026 album Satori, their beginnings, evolution, individual musical journeys, and the creative chemistry that has shaped their sound. Based in Milan, Psoas Trio also features tenor saxophonist Alessio Dal Checco, creating a distinctive contemporary jazz voice built around listening, interaction, risk, and constant musical dialogue.
On Satori, the trio consolidates a musical path rooted in shared experiences while pushing themselves beyond preconceived ideas. Rather than following a fixed formula, Psoas Trio creates an open musical space where improvisation, communication, experimentation, and spontaneity help shape the music in real time.
Rooted in contemporary jazz while incorporating elements of British rock, the trio explores new compositional possibilities and expands its musical language without losing a strong melodic foundation. The result is music that feels adventurous and exploratory while remaining deeply connected to melody, expression, and the chemistry between three musicians.
In this conversation, we discuss Satori, the formation of Psoas Trio, the Milan jazz scene, contemporary European jazz, improvisation, composition, British rock influences, musical risk, ensemble interaction, developing a unique artistic identity, and the individual paths of Giulio Cuppari and Giosuè Consiglio.
We also explore how a band builds trust, how musicians learn to listen to one another, and how continuous dialogue can become the foundation of a distinctive sound.
From their base in Milan, we cover it all. Enjoy this interview.
Get the album:
Psoas Trio - Satori on Bandcamp
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Welcome to a new edition of the Neon Jazz interview series with acclaimed jazz vocalist Jennifer Madsen, talking about her powerful 2026 album Girl Talk.
This female producer-led big band jazz project reimagines the American Songbook through inventive arrangements, seasoned interpretation, big band storytelling and collaborative musical leadership. Jennifer sits at the center of a richly orchestrated ensemble, bringing classic material to life with contemporary energy and dynamic interplay between voice and band.
A mentor, educator and headliner performing regularly at clubs, concert halls and festivals, Jennifer brings a wealth of experience and perspective to this project.
We caught up with Jennifer initially in 2025, so it's great to reconnect with her in 2026 and dig deeper into Girl Talk, her performances, musical journey, leadership, education and the evolving world of jazz.
🎧 Listen to Girl Talk: Apple Music
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