Janis Siegel, Skinny Hightower, Twin Talk & Gergana Velinova

Step inside the 976th Episode of Neon Jazz and get ready for another deep dive into the sounds, stories, and soul of jazz from around the globe. We open the hour with the acclaimed singer Gergana Velinova, featuring music from her powerful 2026 album Free. From there, we hit the Neon Jazz mailbox, digging into quotes, reflections, and thoughts from artists including Tom Kennedy and Michael Bede Dunlop. Then we turn up the volume with heavyweight jazz from Todd DelGuidice, Twin Talk, Mike Dana, Skinny Hightower, and Alex Roitman. We also shine a spotlight on a fascinating Wyclef Jean project, Q Theory, featuring an extraordinary lineup that includes Robert Glasper, Harvey Mason, Yussef Dayes, and Theo Croker—a meeting of musical minds that deserves a closer listen. And the legends keep coming. The great Janis Siegel returns with music from her impressive 2026 album The Art of Vocalese, bringing that unmistakable voice and artistry back into the Neon Jazz mix. Finally, we bring it home with the remarkable chops of Dan Siegel and the stellar album Resolution. New voices. Heavy hitters. Fresh releases. Unexpected connections. This is another hour of jazz discovery from Kansas City and beyond. Dig the jazz, my friends.

Playlist

• Gergana Velinova "A Lullaby to Me" Free (Cellar Live) 0:00
• Host talks 4:26
• Brothers—Nevala—Aucoin "Dual Force" House Sessions (Girod Records) 7:01
• Todd DelGiudice "Stratigraphy" Mas Alto (OA2 Records) 11:53
• Host talks 16:27
• Twin Talk "Heavy Nice" Delights (Shifting Paradigm Records) 16:12
• Tom Kennedy "The Summit" The Summit (Autumn Hill) 20:06
• Host talks 25:47
• Q Theory "Rocicnha" Quantam Leap Vol. 2 (SodoMoodLab) 26:51
• Michael Bede Dunlop "Derwentwater's Farewell" Bede (Michael Bede Dunlop) 32:53
• Host talks 36:37
• Janis Siegel "It's Sand, Man" The Art of Vocalese (Origin Records) 37:35
• Mike Dana Jazz Orchestra "Farther (Still)" Farther {Still) (Origin Records) 40:49
• Host talks 45:30
• Skinny Hightower "Ridin' High" Feels Like Destiny (CastOver Records) 46:13
• Alex Roitman Tango Ensemble "Gigolo" La Cocina De Tango (ARTE-FL Records) 50:09
• Host talks 52:29
• Dan Siegel "Factotum" Resolution (Dsm) 53:27