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.

In this episode of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, host Carlaya sits down with acclaimed guitarist, producer, and educator Adam Hawley, recently named Billboard’s 2025 Smooth Jazz Artist of the Year.

Adam reflects on a landmark year that saw him become the most-played artist on the chart, driven by multiple No. 1 hits including “Automatic,” “Absolute Love,” and his current single “Roller Skates.” He shares what he believes connected so strongly with listeners and radio stations nationwide — consistency, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to making great music.

The conversation also looks back at a defining career moment: being hand-picked by Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire and signed to Kalimba Music, a full-circle experience that helped shape Adam’s artistic direction before he launched his own label in 2019.

Adam opens up about his passion for live performance, touring nearly 70 shows in 2025, and why every audience — from intimate jazz clubs to major festivals — brings a unique energy. He also reveals his personal favorite track, “Can You Feel It,” and explains why it remains a cornerstone of his live set.

As an educator, Adam closes with advice for aspiring musicians, emphasizing discipline, preparation, and treating every performance as an audition.

This episode offers insight into the mindset, work ethic, and creative journey of one of contemporary jazz’s most successful artists.
Recorded at KUNV Studios. Produced by Jason Beatty

On this episode of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, host Carlaya sits down with Las Vegas’ premiere Prince tribute performer Jason Tenner, frontman of the award-winning production Purple Reign at Planet Hollywood. Recently named the “All-Time Best Tribute Show” by Las Vegas Weekly, Purple Reign has become a beloved staple of the Strip—complete with live musicians, the signature Minneapolis-sound energy, and absolutely no backing tracks.

Jason shares how a Halloween costume unexpectedly launched his 28-year journey portraying Prince, the evolution of the show from a small club across from UNLV to national TV appearances on David Letterman and AXS TV’s World’s Greatest Tribute Bands, and why the emotional connection with Prince fans keeps every performance charged with nostalgia and authenticity.

From the challenge of performing in Prince’s iconic high heels to the crowd-pleasing power of deep-cut favorites like “Adore,” “If I Was Your Girlfriend,” and “Darling Nikki,” Jason gives listeners an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the dedication and artistry that fuel one of Las Vegas’ most electrifying live tribute productions.

🎟️ Where to Get Tickets & More Information

Catch Purple Reign: The Prince Tribute Show live at the V Theater inside Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile Shops.
Tickets and show details are available at:

• V Theater Box Office at Planet Hollywood
• VTheater.com
• Tix4.com

Whether you’re a lifelong Prince fan or discovering Purple Reign for the first time, this episode captures everything that makes this production a must-see Vegas experience.

In this episode of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, host Carlaya sits down with acclaimed contemporary jazz saxophonist Dee Lucas for an intimate, inspiring, and soulful conversation. Known for his smooth tone, emotional phrasing, and chart-topping success, Dee opens up about his creative process, his evolution as a self-made independent artist, and the passion that drives his signature sound.

Recorded in the heart of Las Vegas, this interview goes behind the music to explore Dee’s early influences, his approach to songwriting, the stories behind his most beloved tracks, and how he continues to innovate in the modern jazz landscape. Carlaya’s thoughtful questions bring out new layers of Dee’s artistry, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the mind of a performer who consistently pushes the genre forward.

Whether you’re a smooth jazz fan, a longtime follower of Dee Lucas, or discovering him for the first time, this episode delivers authentic conversation, musical insight, and the unmistakable Vegas energy that defines the show.

📅 And don’t miss his upcoming live show:
Dee Lucas Annual Birthday Bash & CD Release
🗓 Date: November 15, 2025
🕔 Time: 5:00 pm – 11:30 pm
📍 Location: The Copa Room at The Bootlegger, 7700 Las Vegas Blvd S., Suite 14, Las Vegas NV 89123

🔗 Tickets & event info: https://serente.net/events/

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In this vibrant episode of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, host Carlaya sits down with Asia O’Hara, the celebrated star of RuPaul’s Drag Race and the dazzling emcee of RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Asia opens up about her journey from Texas stages to the Las Vegas Strip, reflecting on how the hit show transformed her craft, expanded her horizons, and elevated drag into mainstream art.

Listeners will get an inside look at what makes RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! so electric — from its live “mini challenges” and “lip syncs for your life” to the thrill of crowning a new queen every night. Asia also shares how connecting with first-time drag audiences has become one of her greatest joys, inspiring them to leave with a new appreciation for the art form and queer culture.

✨ A conversation that celebrates creativity, courage, and the moment drag took center stage in Las Vegas history.

Carlaya give us an unforgettable conversation with Lenny Williams, the legendary R&B and soul icon known for timeless hits like Cause I Love You and So Very Hard to Go. Ahead of his highly anticipated appearance on The Blues Is Alright Tour at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Lenny opens up about his decades-long career, performing with Tower of Power, and why fans still connect with his signature voice after more than 50 years in music.

In this exclusive Las Vegas interview, Lenny shares stories behind his biggest songs, talks about the magic of performing the blues live, and gives fans a sneak peek at what to expect from his upcoming show. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his music, this episode celebrates the soul, the sound, and the spirit of The Blues Is Alright tour