Lao Tizer joins Artists to Watch Las Vegas for an exclusive interview with Carlaya ahead of his highly anticipated live performance at Myron's at The Smith Center.

Broadcast on 91.5 Jazz & More KUNV—the best smooth jazz station in America—this episode highlights Lao Tizer’s return to one of his favorite Las Vegas venues, where he and his all-star band will deliver a dynamic, high-energy performance blending jazz, soul, and contemporary influences.

🎟️ Get tickets here: https://thesmithcenter.com/smartseat/?itemNumber=10566#/

The Lao Tizer Band features an incredible lineup of world-class musicians:

• Lao Tizer – piano, keys
• Elliott Yamin – vocals
• Danny Janklow – sax, flute
• Anthony Crawford – bass
• Tony Austin – drums

Fresh off their latest album Amplify, the group delivers a powerful mix of original vocals and instrumentals, showcasing a true ensemble performance where every musician shines. Expect a show filled with energy, musical storytelling, and a variety of styles that take audiences on a complete live music journey.

From intimate jazz moments to high-energy grooves, this performance reflects the heart of live music conversations and the evolving sound of modern jazz.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube
📍 Recorded in Las Vegas | KUNV Studios

Hosted by Carlaya, The Queen of Flow
Producer: Jason Beatty

Smooth jazz saxophonist and flutist Najee joins Artists to Watch Las Vegas on 91.5 KUNV Jazz & More to talk about his upcoming Las Vegas performances at Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa, his latest album Under the Moon, Over the Sky, and collaborations with artists like Regina Bell, Will Downing, Eric Roberson, and Brian Simpson.

During the conversation, Najee reflects on the inspiration behind the album, shares stories about performing in Las Vegas over the years, and hints that fans attending the show might see a special guest appearance—something that has become a tradition at his Vegas concerts.

Known worldwide for his soulful saxophone sound and decades of hits in smooth jazz and contemporary jazz, Najee promises fans an unforgettable night of live music when he returns to Las Vegas.

🎟 Get tickets for Najee live at Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa:
https://aliante.boydgaming.com/entertain/entertainment-calendar/2026-mar-najee-al

📻 Interview from Artists to Watch Las Vegas on 91.5 Jazz and More – KUNV Las Vegas, your home for smooth jazz, jazz music conversations, and live music interviews with the artists shaping today’s jazz scene.

Produced by Jason Beatty at KUNV Studios - Las Vegas

Smooth jazz saxophonist Marcus Anderson joins 91.5 KUNV Jazz & More to talk about his musical roots, growing up in a musical family, picking up the sax at age 12, and bringing charisma, romance, and surprise to every live performance.

🎷 Tonight in Las Vegas
Marcus Anderson performs live at the Bootlegger Bistro – Copa Room as part of the Las Vegas Smooth Jazz Series presented by Serente Jazz & Wine Escapes.

He’ll be joined by powerhouse musicians:

• Darnell “Showcase” Taylor on guitar
• Rishon O’Dell on bass

Marcus promises a show filled with finesse, energy, humor, and romantic smooth jazz vibes — no two performances are ever the same.

🎟 Get Tickets:
Purchase tickets now via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/las-vegas-smooth-jazz-series-marcus-anderson-showcase-rishon-odel-tickets-1976416166959

This concert is proudly presented by Serente Jazz & Wine Escapes, bringing world-class smooth jazz experiences to Las Vegas.

Don’t miss an unforgettable night of live smooth jazz at one of Las Vegas’ premier listening rooms.

📍 Bootlegger Bistro – Copa Room
🎷 Las Vegas Smooth Jazz Series
📻 91.5 KUNV Jazz & More
Interview Produced by Jason Beatty at KUNV Studios

In this special edition of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, we sit down with Jonathan Redmond, the Academy Award–nominated editor behind Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis and the new concert film EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert.

Redmond takes us inside the extraordinary discovery that sparked the film: 69 boxes — nearly 60 hours — of unseen Elvis Presley concert footage, buried for decades inside Warner Bros. vaults stored deep in underground Kansas salt mines. Originally uncovered during research for Elvis (2022), the footage was so powerful and revealing that it ultimately demanded its own standalone cinematic experience.

Rather than presenting a traditional documentary or a standard concert film, EPiC reimagines Elvis’s story as what Luhrmann describes as a “cinematic poem” — a dreamlike experience where Elvis sings, performs, and tells his own story in his own voice. The film blends electrifying performances from the early 1970s with newly restored, unheard recordings of Elvis reflecting on his life, his music, and his journey, revealing moments of humor, warmth, and vulnerability rarely seen on screen.

Redmond discusses the painstaking two-year restoration process, scanning the original film at 4K and rebuilding sound from unconventional and fragmented sources — all achieved through meticulous human craftsmanship at a time when artificial intelligence can easily fabricate illusions. The result is an authentic, big-screen experience that presents Elvis at the height of his powers while allowing audiences to connect with the man behind the myth.

Beyond Elvis fandom, this conversation serves as a masterclass in editing and storytelling. Redmond shares insight for students and creators facing massive amounts of footage, tight deadlines, and a blank timeline — explaining how emotion, discovery, and deep familiarity with the material ultimately shape the story.

Whether you’re an Elvis fan, a film and music lover, or an aspiring editor, this episode offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how history, technology, and artistry converge to bring one of the greatest performers of all time back to life on screen.

Film opens on IMAX on February 20 and everywhere on February 27th

On this episode of Artists to Watch Las Vegas, host Carlaya sits down with genre-defying vocalist and songwriter Kendra Erika ahead of a major week of performances in Las Vegas. Blending elements of dance, pop, jazz, and cinematic orchestration, Kendra Erika discusses her artistic evolution, early musical influences, and the inspiration behind her bold new project, License to Thrill: James Bond Songs Reimagined.

During the interview, Kendra reflects on discovering her voice through classical training, growing up equally inspired by Broadway legends and contemporary pop icons, and ultimately finding her creative sweet spot through reinvention. She shares why the James Bond legacy — particularly iconic themes like Diamonds Are Forever — felt like a natural artistic fit, and how License to Thrill allowed her to create something timeless, cinematic, and emotionally immersive for modern audiences

Listeners also get a preview of what to expect from her Las Vegas album release showcase on Sunday, February 15, where Kendra will debut the project live for the very first time. She describes the show’s atmosphere as old-Hollywood elegance meets modern drama — an experience designed to transport audiences through decades of Bond themes with lush arrangements and theatrical flair. The conversation also touches on her upcoming Maxim Jazz appearance, her long-term vision for License to Thrill as a Las Vegas staple, and how this project opens the door to a broader, global audience

🎟 Ticket Information

• License to Thrill: Album Release Showcase
  📍 The Space
  📅 Sunday, February 15
  🎫 Tickets available via KendraErika.com or TheSpaceLV.com

For more on Kendra Erika, her music, and upcoming performances, visit KendraErika.com, and listen to this full interview now on Artists to Watch Las Vegas.

Smooth jazz guitarist Chris Standring joins Artists To Watch Las Vegas to talk about a major milestone in his career — headlining Las Vegas at Boulder Station Railhead. A longtime favorite on 91.5 Jazz & More, Standring spoke with KUNV's Program Director Jason Beatty while riding high with the Top 20 hit “Chocolate Shake” while preparing to release his upcoming album A Time of Change, a deeply personal and reflective project shaped by life transitions, new beginnings, and artistic growth.

In this interview, Chris shares the story behind “Chocolate Shake,” discusses balancing new music with fan favorites in a live setting, and reflects on crafting a concert experience that flows from beginning to end. He also talks about his background as an educator, his approach to songwriting, and what it means to bring this chapter of his career to a Las Vegas stage.

🎟 Tickets for Chris Standring live at Boulder Station Railhead are available at:
stationcasinoslive.com/events/chris-standring/

Smooth jazz sensation Nathan Mitchell sits down with host Carlaya on Artists to Watch Las Vegas to talk about his music, creative journey, and what fans can expect from his upcoming Las Vegas debut performance. Recorded ahead of his show at the Access Showroom at Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa in North Las Vegas, this extended conversation covers Nathan’s rise in contemporary jazz, the inspiration behind his hit songs, his experience hitting the Billboard Top 30 multiple times, and the unique energy he brings to live performance.

Nathan also discusses bringing his Big Band—featuring the “Mo Horns”—to the stage for a night of unforgettable live music. The show is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. at the Access Showroom, a state-of-the-art entertainment venue located inside Aliante Casino + Hotel + Spa (7300 North Aliante Parkway, North Las Vegas, NV).

Listeners will get behind-the-scenes insights into how Nathan crafts his sound and what it means to perform with a full ensemble. Tickets for the concert are available through Ticketmaster.com and other official ticket outlets; this event marks a major moment in Nathan’s touring calendar and a can't-miss evening for smooth jazz fans in the Las Vegas area

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.