Artists To Watch - Las Vegas

0:00:00
(Speaker 1)
It is great to be back, of course, and thank you for having me. I've been looking forward to this for a long, long time, and we're finally getting back to Vegas, so it's going to be a wonderful night at Sunset Station, no doubt.

0:00:12
(Speaker 2)
Absolutely. How excited are you about the show this week?

0:00:14
(Speaker 1)
I'm so excited. You know, Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world, and a lot of idols I grew up listening to and watching hailed from Vegas, and there's nothing better than that with nightlife. I've been wanting to get back for quite a few years so it's all very timely and we're really really excited about the show. Absolutely, thanks for all the love that you've given 91.5 KUNV over the years. That's very kind of you guys and but the reality is that we're a

0:00:40
(Speaker 1)
team so thank you KUNV for supporting me and spinning my music. We wouldn't be able to keep touring or making music without the support from stations like you guys so it goes both ways.

0:00:48
(Speaker 2)
No doubt. Awesome. Out of all the instruments you play how did you choose the sax?

0:00:52
(Speaker 1)
Well, you know, I was playing a lot of different instruments growing up. Drums, guitar, keys, and I was quite satisfied. I was having a good time. But when I joined the school band in fifth grade, we had to pick a brass or woodwind instrument and I was drawn to the sax. I was listening to, funny enough, Louis Prima at the time.

0:01:08
(Speaker 1)
He had a guy named Sam Butera tore up the whole nightclub scene in Vegas in the 50s. They kind of revitalized that whole lounge scene. And so I was drawn to the sax and it became a challenge instrument to me because I wasn't very easily able to get a sound that I liked. It took quite a few years and so I became very drawn to wanting to learn how to kind

0:01:33
(Speaker 1)
of master this instrument which I still haven't and I probably never will. It's one of those lifelong instruments as music is in general. So, that kind of just became my main voice over the years. I still play all the other instruments in my show, and I love to showcase different sounds, but the sax is kind of where my heart is.

0:01:51
(Speaker 2)
We love your vibe and your music is heavily rotated here on our playlist. We've got so much music by you, but give us a few of your tracks that you like to play on tour.

0:02:02
(Speaker 1)
I like to give the audience a well-rounded sense of musicality, you know, original music and some old school covers. We got some slow jams in there too. One of my favorites is a cover of Alexander O'Neill I recorded a couple years back if you were here tonight. And then I still like to incorporate all the other instruments that I play, you know, drums

0:02:21
(Speaker 1)
and guitar. And so I like I like everybody leaving with a little well sense of like they got a little smorgasbord.

0:02:29
(Speaker 2)
Who are some of the musicians joining you on tour?

0:02:34
(Speaker 1)
Well I've got my band with me that has been regular for quite a few years now. Thurber Richardson will be on drums from Tampa, Florida. Vernon Parson on bass. Another incredible artist in his own right, Chris Geith, who I'm sure you play his music on your station from Milan, Italy, great keyboard player. And on percussion, Pablo Batista, who hails from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

0:02:56
(Speaker 1)
He's a legend, he's played with everybody from Teddy Pendergrass, the OJs, Phyllis Hyman, but most notably, Grover Washington Jr. for over 30 years. So that means a lot to me as a saxophone player. So I love my band and we're all going to be there and we can't wait.

0:03:12
(Speaker 2)
Nice. Will product be available at your show?

0:03:15
(Speaker 1)
Absolutely, I'll have my new album as far as a couple of titles from the past. They'll all be there.

0:03:20
(Speaker 2)
Will you be conducting some meet and greets?

0:03:22
(Speaker 1)
I will be out after the show and signing autographs and kissing babies and whatever you want to do. They never get old, you know, that's the thing. I think that's why we keep going after all these years. Even Heritage acts that are still in their 70s and 80s, they keep going because it's in the blood it's in the DNA you know

0:03:39
(Speaker 2)
music's a lifelong thing. We're delighted to have you in Las Vegas. Viva Las Vegas

0:03:44
(Speaker 1)
baby here we come I can't wait. The entertainment capital of the world it

0:03:49
(Speaker 2)
doesn't get much better than that you know. Musician saxophone is missing in Gala we're looking forward to an exciting show at the Sunset Station as the Vegas guy before I let you go I heard you were really into Elvis.

0:04:02
(Speaker 3)
Oh, I am.

0:04:04
(Speaker 1)
I am lifelong Elvis fanatic since birth. And so, you know, needless to say, Vegas also holds a special place in my heart because of that reason, too. So, you know, it all it all ends up coming around full circle in the end, doesn't it?

0:04:17
(Speaker 2)
Yes, it does. Well, we love smoothing with your music here at 91.5 Jazz and More, the number one smooth jazz station in America. Looking forward to seeing you this weekend, March 27th.

0:04:28
(Speaker 1)
Hey, this is Vincent N'Gala, and you're listening to the best smooth jazz station in America. Hey, this is Vincent N'Gala, and you're listening to the best smooth jazz station in America. That's right. 91.5 Jazz and More.