Celebrating
Carlos Lando & Arturo Gómez
Celebrating
Carlos Lando &
Arturo Gómez
Celebrating Carlos Lando & Arturo Gómez
Community, Culture & Music
On the occasion of the retirement of two of KUVO JAZZ’s longtime hosts and staff members, we present this online celebration dedicated to Carlos Lando and Arturo Gómez.
We recognize the enormous impact they've made on jazz, and jazz radio in Denver, Colorado as well as nationally and internationally. Together, they've created a powerful station praised by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the International Association for Jazz Educators, the Colorado Music Hall of Fame, the Colorado Broadcasters Association, Downbeat Magazine, and Westword. They'e shown jazz can live alongside R&B, Blues, Tejano Music, Brazilian, and Soul, to create a successful station.
Share Your Stories
Carlos Lando and Arturo Gómez have built a memorable legacy for our community. Share your stories and comments about them.
Help us celebrate the hosts that have been the heart and soul of KUVO JAZZ.
Video/Performance
Carlos Lando
Celebrating Carlos
Over the past 39 years Carlos Lando has been on KUVO JAZZ, his perspective of jazz, blues, funk, and soul has changed how we hear the music. Carlos has inspired us to listen to more jazz, enjoy the music with him, and has made us want to learn more about Latin Jazz. From his example, the playlists on KUVO have been, and continue to be, extraordinary, global, and soulful. Under his direction, musical storytelling and interesting conversations about the music has put KUVO on the map for many thousands of radio listeners .
Awards
- 1987: Chicano Media Association Excellence in Radio Broadcasting, Carlos Lando
- 1997: Colorado Hispanic Media Association Achievement in Radio - Carlos Lando
- 2005: Jazz Week: KUVO JAZZ named Major Market Station of the Year
- 2012: Five Points Jazz Festival: Lifetime Achievement Carlos Lando
- 2015: Jazz Week: KUVO JAZZ named Major Market Station of the Year
- 2016: The London Telegraph ranked KUVO JAZZ number one in the Jazz and Soul category in an article titled "The best internet radio stations" by Pete Naughton
- 2022: Westword Magazine’s Reader’s Choice: KUVO JAZZ, Best Radio Station for Music Award
- 2024: Jazz Journalists Association awards Carlos Lando the Marian McPartland-Willis Conover Award for Career Achievement in Broadcasting
- 2024: Colorado Music Hall of Fame: Carlos Lando & KUVO JAZZ
News
For KUVO jazz radio veteran Carlos Lando, it’s always been about the music — ‘la musica,’ as he likes to say.
Arturo Gómez
Celebrating Arturo
For 23 years Arturo Gómez has graced our community, front and center in the clubs, sipping Cuban coffee in our neighborhood cafes, and emceed on stage at countless festivals. He has been a true KUVO JAZZ ambassador. Arturo’s genuine excitement for the music is contagious, and we’ve all caught the energy. His working knowledge of the artists and his encyclopedic grasp of the stories behind the songs is remarkable.
Awards
- 2004: JazzWeek: Programmer of the Year – Music Director
- 2005: JazzWeek: KUVO JAZZ named Major Market Station of the Year
- 2005: JazzWeek: Programmer of the Year – Music Director
- 2005: The International Association for Jazz Education: Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service to Jazz Education
- 2006: JazzWeek: Programmer of the Year – Music Director
- 2007: The Taste of Puerto Rico Award for Continued Service to the Hispanic Community and the Taste of Puerto Rico Annual Festival
- 2014: JazzWeek: Duke Dubois Humanitarian Award
- 2015: JazzWeek: KUVO JAZZ named Major Market Station of the Year
- 2015: JazzWeek: Programmer of the Year – Music Director
- 2017: Westword Magazine: Best Radio Personality on Denver Radio
- 2018: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz: Letter of Gratitude from Herbie Hancock, the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, support and participation in the annual International Jazz Day
- 2022: Westword Best of Denver: Readers Choice Best Radio Station for Music KUVO
- 2022: Westword Best of Denver: Readers Choice Best Radio Station for Music KUVO
- 2025: Jazz Journalists Association: Marian McPartland-Willis Conover Award for Career Achievement in Broadcasting
News
Arturo Gómez’s love for music, and ultimately landed him his job of more than 20 years with KUVO JAZZ.
Carlos Lando Stories
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Arturo Gómez Stories
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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
I’d like to say Thank You to Carlos for his decision years ago to bring me on as host of the R&B Jukebox. Looking back I was pretty young, with no radio experience, and he took a chance on me. I joined a group of some of the most knowledgeable music lovers anywhere, and he included me amongst them for over two decades. I will always remember him saying to me “You’re one of us!” When you are young you are looking to make an impact on the world, and Carlos had faith in me and helped to give me a voice and become part of something larger than myself, an outlet where I could share something that I loved, something that brought me, and many others, joy. His trust in me over the years helped me become who I am today, both personally and professionally, and I will be forever grateful to him. Congratulations, Carlos! – Easy Bill
Just wanted to you wish you all the best, Carlos for your decades long service both to KUVO as well the jazz community at large. Your knowledge, passion, and enthusiasm for the art form is contagious. Loved listening to The Morning Set on my way into work. All the best as you enter retirement! – Kyle
You guys are the heart rate; well gonna say beat but AI guy changed it to rate. You both rate at the highest point in delivering the best Jazz right out of the Points from Denver Colorado. Thanks for all the years and Lunchtime too. – Paul
Thank you so so much! I have loved lunchtime since discovering KUVO 2 years ago. – Leah
I will miss Carlos and Arturo like CRAZY! I started listening to KUVO in the late 1980's while I studied up at CSU. I had to extend my antenna a bit, but I was able to tune in without much fuzz. Good thing I found a job in Denver... I have grown accustomed to hearing these two amazing voices of jazz being an avid listener for over 38 years. Now that I'm retired, I have listened to them even more in the last couple years. I have come to appreciate so much about the spectrum of jazz music, as well as the other genres played by KUVO. What a gift you both have been to our community! Your legacy of music and culture will live on! Congratulations to you two gents on your amazing and impactful careers in music and broadcasting. – Bob
As a long-time listener of the station and a lifetime Jazz fan, I'm forever thankful for the contributions of Carlos and Arturo. I wish you both luck in your future endeavors. Keep it cool, gentlemen! You've made an impact on my life and countless others in the global jazz community! – Mark in Longmont
These two legends have kept the music and music information going for decades! While we were doing the KDKO Unity in the Community vibe, KUVO was keeping the music of all cultures alive!!! Well done vatos!!! Enjoy retirement you have more than earned the time you will have for you and family! Love you guys, stay in touch! – Jon
Congratulations to Carlos and Arturo on their planned retirement! Beyond the tremendous music, jazz history, and community service that KUVO has provided, I think one of the greatest tributes is that KUVO twice won jazz station of the year! – Best wishes from Dave in Lakewood, member since 1994
What will I listen to during lunch while sitting in front of my computer now? This is very distressing. I have enjoyed the Cuban flavor to the songs on "LUNCHTIME" for years and will miss Arturo Gómez knowledge of jazz history and song choices. I hope you have a wonderful future ahead of you Arturo. I have enjoyed eating lunch with you for years. With love and respect. – Lucy
Carlos and Arturo, thank you for the countless years of music you shared with KUVO listeners – music that didn't just fill the air, but became the soundtracks of our lives. With every tune you played, you shared stories, history, and reverence for the original artists turning each broadcast into a journey. The library in your heads – your knowledge, your passion, your love of music is something that simply can't be replaced. You have given us more than music; you have given us joy, comfort, connection, and moments that we won't forget. As you retire this January, may you feel the pride of a legacy few can match! – Irma
Carlos:
As a former board member, loyal supporter, jazz musician and fan, I can testify that the entire Denver community and beyond have benefited from Carlos Landau’s commitment, perseverance, and deep love—for music, for radio, and most of all, for community.
For more than five decades, Carlos has followed his passion, but nowhere has that passion lived more fully than at KUVO. When Carlos joined the station in 1987, he didn’t just help shape a playlist—he helped shape a home for jazz in Denver. Through his steady leadership, quiet determination, and unwavering belief in the power of this music, KUVO became more than a radio station. It became a cultural anchor.
As Program Director—and later as President and General Manager—Carlos protected what makes KUVO special: its authenticity, its connection to the Latino and African American communities, and its role as a trusted voice for jazz artists and listeners alike. Under his leadership, KUVO earned national recognition, but more importantly, it earned something far more lasting—the loyalty and love of its community.
Carlos showed us that leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be powerful. His commitment was constant. His motivation came from service. And his passion was always rooted in respect—for the music, the artists, and the people who tuned in every day.
Carlos, your impact can be heard in every note KUVO plays and felt by everyone whose lives you touched along the way. Thank you for your dedication, your vision, and your heart.
Congratulations on an extraordinary career—and on a retirement that is truly well deserved.
Arturo:
As a jazz musician, I know how rare it is to find someone who truly listens—to the music, to the artists, and to the history behind every note. Arturo Gómez has always been that person.
For more than 21 years as Music Director at KUVO JAZZ, Arturo honored the music with deep knowledge, respect, and heart. He understood that jazz isn’t just something you program—it’s something you protect. The choices he made reflected an incredible respect for the musicians who create this art and the listeners who come to KUVO because they trust him.
Arturo’s passion comes from a lifetime of music—shaped by progressive radio, Cuban rhythms, and a deep cultural connection that shows up in everything he does. When he was named Cultural Ambassador in 2024, it felt less like an award and more like a statement of fact.
Over the years, Arturo earned widespread recognition—six-time Music Director of the Year, recipient of the Duke Dubois Lifetime Achievement Award and the Bobby Jackson Jazz Ambassador honor, and commendations from organizations including the IAJE, the U.S. House of Representatives, and UNESCO International Jazz Day.
Arturo has been a champion for artists, a guide for listeners, and a steady hand for KUVO. From the bandstand, I can tell you: that kind of advocacy matters to us jazz musicians. It matters more than most people realize.
Arturo, thank you for standing up for the music and for all of us who play it. Congratulations on an incredible career—and may your retirement be filled with swing, soul, and the freedom to just listen.
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