Episode Details

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.