The Reno Jazz Orchestra is excited to present “Creative Directions in Jazz” at the Nevada Museum of Art on October 21, 2022. The program is presented as part of UPSTAGE: A Literary and Performing Art Series supported by the Nightingale Family Foundation and the Williams Foundation. The concert will showcase original compositions by contemporary composers.

During this innovative concert, our Music Director will lead the seventeen-piece Orchestra in a musical journey exploring new, creative directions in jazz during this one-of-a kind event.

Two Performances!

• Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 7:30 PM
• Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 4:00 PM
• Good Luck Macbeth Theater

Come experience Northern Nevada's finest jazz musicians as the Reno Jazz Orchestra presents the music of the Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Orchestra.

This big band jazz Orchestra became world-famous, especially with their 1967 release, Live at the Village Vanguard. The album was nominated for a GRAMMY in that same year under the category of "Best Instrumental Jazz Performance of a Large Group." The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra went on to win a GRAMMY in 1979.

Musicians who have performed in our area over the past 40 years know Tony Savage and most have worked with him. His showroom career started at the tender age of 14 at the Riverside and continued showroom gigs until Engelbert Humperdinck asked him to go on the road. It is my pleasure to introduce you to Savage and share his story...

UNR Student - Guitarist - RJO Scholarship Recipient

Spirits is our brand-new CD featuring the music of Earth Wind & Fire. It is the culmination of great recording sessions and studio polishing over the course of nine months. EWF’s music expresses hope, inspiration, and joy. The perfect elixir to re-engage with the world. Many of these songs you will know (and sing along) others might be new to your ears.

As a Legacy Society member, your passion, support, and dedication to our organization and fans worldwide will be forever treasured. With your commitment to create your personal legacy for the Reno Jazz Orchestra, you will sustain that extraordinary legacy of music and education that we are honored to share with our fans and community as well.

The RJO concluded this year's Jazz in the Schools program with an online concert featuring RJO trumpeter Julien Knowles with his quartet performing original compositions. The group played thirty minutes, then broke to answer questions from the participating students, and then the Quartet finished with another thirty-minute performance.

Our mission is to build a greater appreciation of jazz in Northern Nevada by providing outstanding big band performances, promoting the artistry of Reno Jazz Orchestra musicians through a variety of ensembles, and supporting jazz education through a mentorship program in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. All combined, we contribute to the vibrancy, diversity, cultural vitality, and quality of our community’s artistic life.

Stay in touch with the RJO by joining the RJO Fan Club. All we need is your name and your email address. We'll keep you informed about upcoming performances, events, and our plans for the future. We promise, we won't give your info to anyone outside our organication, and we won't fill your inbox with countless emails, but we will remind you of great music you won't want to miss.