ABOUT THE JAZZ REPUBLIC
CONCERT SERIES
The Jazz Republic has been bringing jazz to the forefront of the mainstream market – that place where jazz crosses over into multi-genres and has no borders.
For those with a low tolerance for what "jazz" is perceived to be, we've taken a genre-bending approach, or what we call "A Jazz Republic", eroding the boundaries between jazz and mainstream music, writing and performing original music in a vocabulary that combines elements of multiple styles, or what some may call alt-jazz.
To this end, we present a unique blend of world-renowned artists including GRAMMY® Award-Winning and GRAMMY® Nominees whose original music and artistry embody what we call "The Art and Lifestyle of Jazz".
2024 SHOWS
SEPTEMBER 10 . 7pm
Bijon Watson & Niles Thomas Returns with The Jazz Republic Revue
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
The Jazz Republic co-founders, Grammy Award®-winner Bijon Watson and critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Niles Thomas, return to The Smith Center for a very special performance – “The Jazz Republic Revue”, featuring special guests singer/songwriter LINDA WOODSON, composer/pianist ULI GEISSENDOERFER, Jazz chanteuse LAURA SHAFFER, and composer/saxophonist TOM LUER.
Presented by KUNV 91.5FM Jazz & More, the evening features performances of original music by Bijon Watson & Niles Thomas whose first album release It’s A Crossover Thang was up for a 2022 GRAMMY® nomination.
2023 SHOWS
APRIL 27 . 7pm
The Spring Jazz Mix w/ The Jazz Republic (Album Release Party)
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
They’re back! The Jazz Republic Concert Series returns to The Smith Center for a very special show they call “The Spring Jazz Mix” celebrating and performing songs off their new album release entitled "Artists & Gentlemen".
Presented by KUNV 91.5FM Jazz & More, the evening features performances of original music by GRAMMY® Award-Winner Bijon Watson, critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter Niles Thomas & The Jazz Republic sextet who’s first album release “It’s A Crossover Thang” was up for a 2022 GRAMMY® Nomination.
With Bassist Nick "VIP" Schmitt, Saxophonist Tom "Face" Luer (Kurt Elling, Poncho Sanchez, Queen Latifah, Engelbert Humperdinck, John Beasley's Monk'estra, to name a few), Drummer Larry "De La Luna" Aberman (Lionel Richie, Wynton Marsalis, Aaron Neville, Nile Rodgers, Dianne Reeves, Joe Sample, Lalah Hathaway, Stevie Ray Vaughan, to name a few), and Pianist, GRAMMY® Nominee Uli Geissendoerfer (Tito Puente, Cirque du Soleil, William Cepeda, David Cassidy, and many more).
2022 SHOWS
NOVEMBER 16 . 7pm
The Autumn Jazz Mix w/ The Jazz Republic
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
They’re back! The Jazz Republic Concert Series returns to The Smith Center for a very special show they call “The Autumn Jazz Mix”.
Presented by KUNV 91.5FM Jazz & More, the evening features performances of original music by Bijon Watson, Niles Thomas & The Jazz Republic who’s latest album release “It’s A Crossover Thang” was up for a 2022 GRAMMY® Nomination.
Featuring your favorite cast of characters, Nick “VIP” Schmitt (bass), Brian “Tree” Triola (piano), and Sam “Skits” Lemos (sax).
With Saxophonist Tom "Face" Luer (Kurt Elling, Poncho Sanchez, Queen Latifah, Engelbert Humperdinck, John Beasley's Monk'estra, to name a few) and Drummer Larry "De La Luna" Aberman (Lionel Richie, Wynton Marsalis, Aaron Neville, Nile Rodgers, Dianne Reeves, Joe Sample, Lalah Hathaway, Stevie Ray Vaughan, to name a few).
The evening features the original music of Bijon Watson & Niles Thomas and The Jazz Republic sextet.
AUGUST 9 . 7pm
Jazz Republic Concert Series ft. Saxophonist Tom Luer
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
KUNV 91.5FM Jazz & More presents the sensationally popular Jazz Republic Concert Series returning to The Smith Center on August 9th, featuring very special guest, Saxophonist Tom Luer (Kurt Elling, Poncho Sanchez, Queen Latifah, Engelbert Humperdinck, John Beasley's Monk'estra, to name a few).
The Jazz Republic is also thrilled to welcome back Drummer Larry Aberman (Lionel Richie, Wynton Marsalis, Aaron Neville, Nile Rodgers, Dianne Reeves, Joe Sample, Lalah Hathaway, Stevie Ray Vaughan, to name a few).
The evening features the original music of Bijon Watson & Niles Thomas and The Method Men sextet; and excited to welcome back the radiant and provocative jazz chanteuse, Laura Shaffer.
APRIL 7 . 7pm
Jazz Republic Concert Series ft. Jeff Hamilton Trio
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
KUNV 91.5FM Jazz & More presents the sensationally popular Jazz Republic Concert Series returning to The Smith Center on April 7th, featuring very special guest, Grammy® Award-Nominee, Jeff Hamilton and the Jeff Hamilton Trio.
Hamilton has recorded and performed with such great artists as Diana Krall, Natalie Cole, Barbara Streisand, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and his own Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, to name a few.
The Jazz Republic is also thrilled to welcome back the radiant and provocative jazz chanteuse, Laura Shaffer.
The evening features the original music of Bijon Watson & Niles Thomas and The Method Men sextet.
FEBRUARY 24 . 7pm
Jazz Republic Concert Series ft. Bob Mintzer
Red Rock Country Club (Las Vegas) - Private Event
KUNV 91.5FM Jazz & More presents the sensationally popular Jazz Republic Concert Series at the Red Rock Country Club on February 24th, featuring very special guest, Grammy® Award-Winner, Bob Mintzer of the Yellowjackets.
2021 SHOWS
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JUNE 23 & 24 . 9:30pm
Bijon Watson / Niles Thomas & The Method Men
Jazz TX (San Antonio, TX)
Bijon Watson & Niles Thomas goes remote to Jazz TX located in the cellar of the Bottling House at the historic Pearl Brewery, San Antonio's newest spot for live music on the River Walk. Join us for our album release party promoting our new album, "It's A Crossover Thang".
2020 SHOWS
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FEBRUARY 11 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series (Vol. 8) ft. Laura Shaffer
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
KUNV 91.5FM Jazz & More presents the sensationally popular Jazz Eclectic Concert Series returning to The Smith Center FEBRUARY 11th for Vol. 8 to present an evening of LA VIE EN ROUGE (A Life In Red), a music celebration of love, romance and charm, and is thrilled to welcome very special guest, critically-acclaimed jazz chanteuse, LAURA SHAFFER.
In celebration of this La Vie en Rouge (A Life in Red) themed night, we invite the audience to dress and wear something with a shade of red.
The evening features the original music of The Jazz Eclectic Concert Series Founders and Producers, world-renowned trumpeter Bijon Watson and critically-acclaimed singer/songwriter/producer Niles Thomas, and featuring The Method Men Sextet.
2019 SHOWS
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NOVEMBER 13 & 14 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series
Jazz TX (San Antonio, TX)
The Jazz Eclectic goes remote to Jazz TX located in the cellar of the Bottling House at the historic Pearl Brewery, San Antonio's newest spot for live music on the River Walk.
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NOVEMBER 07 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series (Vol. 7) ft. 3X GRAMMY® Winner John Daversa
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
The Jazz Eclectic presents 3X GRAMMY® Award-Winner, trumpeter, composer, arranger and producer, John Daversa.
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MAY 17 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series (Vol. 6) ft. 5X GRAMMY® Winner Billy Childs
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
The Jazz Eclectic presents 5X GRAMMY® Award-Winner, pianist, composer, arranger and producer, Billy Childs.
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FEBRUARY 27 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series (Vol. 5) ft. GRAMMY® Winner Bill Cunliffe
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
The Jazz Eclectic presents GRAMMY® Award-Winner, pianist, composer, arranger and producer, Bill Cunliffe.
2017 & 2018 SHOWS
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NOVEMBER 27 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series (Vol. 4) ft. 2X GRAMMY® Winner John Clayton
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
The Jazz Eclectic presents 2X GRAMMY® Award-Winner, bassist, composer, arranger John Clayton.
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JULY 27 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series (Vol. 3) ft. Critically-Acclaimed Vocalist Maiya Sykes
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
The Jazz Eclectic presents critically-acclaimed vocalist from The Voice and Postmodern Jukebox, Maiya Sykes.
MARCH 27 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series (Vol. 2) ft. GRAMMY® Nominee John Beasley
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
The Jazz Eclectic presents GRAMMY® and EMMY® Nominee, pianist, composer and arranger, John Beaslye's Monk'estra.
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OCTOBER 17 . 7pm
Jazz Eclectic Concert Series (Vol. 1) ft. GRAMMY® Winner Jeff Hamilton Trio
The Smith Center (Las Vegas)
The Jazz Eclectic presents GRAMMY® Award-Winner, drummer, composer, arranger and producer, Jeff Hamilton.