On this episode of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, host Carlaya sits down with Grammy-winning saxophonist Kirk Whalum to discuss Songs of Change, a powerful live concert experience celebrating music that shaped social progress, unity, and the spirit of the Civil Rights Movement.

Kirk shares insight into the artists joining him on stage — including musical director John Stoddart and vocalist Jazzmeia Horn — and explains how these timeless songs inspired leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and continue to resonate in today’s divided world. The conversation also explores Whalum’s latest album, Epic Cool, a project that redefines what it means to age with purpose, joy, and creative vitality.

From viral moments like “Do You Feel Me” to reflections on legacy, faith, and his father’s influence, Kirk Whalum offers wisdom, warmth, and a reminder that music remains a healing force. This episode captures an artist still evolving — and a message that matters now more than ever: we are better together.

On this episode of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, host Carlaya sits down with nationally recognized smooth jazz saxophonist Jackiem Joyner ahead of his upcoming Las Vegas CD release performance.

Jackiem joins the show to talk about his brand-new album Every Part of Me, sharing why this project is especially personal and how it explores deeper musical influences—from classic R&B and soul to vinyl-era nostalgia—while staying rooted in the signature saxophone sound fans know and love. He also reflects on his remarkable career moments, including performing alongside legends like George Duke and Angela Bofill, and what those experiences meant to him as a developing artist

The conversation leads into Jackiem’s highly anticipated Las Vegas Smooth Jazz Concert Series appearance, presented by Sorente Jazz & Wine Escapes, where fans will hear selections from the new album performed live for the very first time in an intimate, upscale setting.

Show & Ticket Information

Las Vegas Smooth Jazz Concert Series featuring Jackiem Joyner
📍 The Copa Room at The Bootlegger
7700 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Suite 14
Las Vegas, NV 89123
📞 (702) 609-3390

🗓 Wednesday, January 15
🚪 Doors Open: 6:00 PM
🎷 Showtime: 7:00 – 8:30 PM
🤝 Meet & Greet: 8:30 PM

VIP and General Admission tickets are available now. Seating is limited.
A $35 food & beverage minimum per person applies. A 21% gratuity will be added. Your ticket serves as your reservation and seating is assigned in order of purchase.

This episode offers smooth jazz fans insight into Jackiem Joyner’s creative process, his connection to the Las Vegas audience, and what to expect from an unforgettable night of live music, wine, and soulful saxophone. Produced by Jason Beatty at the KUNV Studios 1/8/2026

Tony Award–nominated performer Syndee Winters brings a powerful and deeply personal tribute to one of the most influential artists of the 20th century with Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne, live at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts in Las Vegas.

Presented inside the intimate Myron’s Cabaret Jazz, this performance is far more than a traditional jazz concert. Winters describes the show as a theatrical jazz experience, blending music, storytelling, and character work to explore the many facets of legendary entertainer Lena Horne—from trailblazing activist and Hollywood icon to vulnerable artist and cultural pioneer.

Featuring original musical arrangements from Winters’ acclaimed album Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne, the show introduces audiences to multiple characters—all portrayed by Winters—each representing different stages, strengths, and contradictions of womanhood. Through these voices, the performance traces Lena Horne’s extraordinary career, her deep historical connection to Las Vegas, and her lasting influence on generations of performers.

Winters, whose Broadway credits include The Lion King and collaborations with artists such as Beyoncé, brings both technical brilliance and emotional depth to the stage. The result is a show that feels at once educational, celebratory, and deeply moving, appealing to jazz lovers, theater fans, and anyone interested in American cultural history.

Event Location:
Myron’s Cabaret Jazz at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas

Tickets:
Tickets are available now through The Smith Center box office and can be purchased online via the official event page on The Smith Center website.

Whether you’re a longtime fan of Lena Horne or discovering her legacy for the first time, Syndee Winters Sings Lena Horne offers a rare opportunity to experience jazz history reimagined through the lens of a modern Broadway star—right in the heart of Las Vegas.