The Billie Holiday Project is a deeply researched and vividly reimagined concert experience conceived and led by jazz vocalist and bandleader Stella Heath and Musical Director Neil Angelo Fontano. Blending live performance with historical storytelling, the project invites audiences into the world of Billie Holiday—illuminating not only her music, but the cultural landscape that shaped it.
Rooted in the early recordings of Billie Holiday’s career, particularly her collaborations with Teddy Wilson, the program brings new life to this repertoire through thoughtful arrangements, period-informed aesthetics, and a dynamic ensemble of some of the Bay Area’s finest musicians. Performances range from intimate sextet settings to expansive big band presentations, often featuring swing dancers and evocative visual elements that transport audiences to the era.
Since its debut in 2019, The Billie Holiday Project has grown into a widely recognized and in-demand production, with performances at major venues including SFJAZZ, the Presidio Theatre, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, and the Golden State Theatre. The project continues to expand its reach through touring and educational programming, connecting audiences of all ages to the enduring relevance of Holiday’s artistry.
In 2026, the project reaches a new milestone with the release of For Billie, a full-length album recorded live in studio and released on Matterhorn Records. Supported in part by Chamber Music America Performance Plus Grant, the album captures the spirit of the live show while offering a fresh and intimate listening experience.
At its core, The Billie Holiday Project is an exploration of legacy, storytelling, and connection—honoring one of the most influential voices in American music while creating space for contemporary audiences to experience her work in a meaningful and immediate way.
Rooted in the early recordings of Billie Holiday’s career, particularly her collaborations with Teddy Wilson, the program brings new life to this repertoire through thoughtful arrangements, period-informed aesthetics, and a dynamic ensemble of some of the Bay Area’s finest musicians. Performances range from intimate sextet settings to expansive big band presentations, often featuring swing dancers and evocative visual elements that transport audiences to the era.
Since its debut in 2019, The Billie Holiday Project has grown into a widely recognized and in-demand production, with performances at major venues including SFJAZZ, the Presidio Theatre, Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, and the Golden State Theatre. The project continues to expand its reach through touring and educational programming, connecting audiences of all ages to the enduring relevance of Holiday’s artistry.
In 2026, the project reaches a new milestone with the release of For Billie, a full-length album recorded live in studio and released on Matterhorn Records. Supported in part by Chamber Music America Performance Plus Grant, the album captures the spirit of the live show while offering a fresh and intimate listening experience.
At its core, The Billie Holiday Project is an exploration of legacy, storytelling, and connection—honoring one of the most influential voices in American music while creating space for contemporary audiences to experience her work in a meaningful and immediate way.
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Genre: The Music of Billie Holiday: vintage Jazz from the 1930s, 1940s, & 1950s
Excellent Concert Show for listening spaces:
Can be booked as:
Sextet to 10-piece big band with swing dancers
Excellent Concert Show for listening spaces:
- Concert venues
- Historic Theatres
- Performing Arts Centers
- Jazz clubs
- Jazz Festivals
- Private Events
- Weddings
Can be booked as:
Sextet to 10-piece big band with swing dancers