THE RENO JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Trumpets

Paul Lenz

For many years, Paul Lenz inspired the next generation of musicians as an educator at the University of Nevada, Reno. In addition to performing with the Reno Jazz Orchestra, Paul is the principal trumpet in the Reno Philharmonic and Reno Chamber orchestras. He also plays lead trumpet for Broadway Reno. He is also the co-founder and member of the Great Basin Brass which has been entertaining audiences for over 30 years throughout Northern Nevada.

Josh D. Reed

Josh is currently the Assistant Professor of Jazz Trumpet at UNR and leads his own trio, quartet, and quintet as well. As an educator, he has taught private lessons, ensembles, and courses throughout America. As a performer, Reed has shared the stage with some of the industry’s finest musicians and has recently released his first recording and is featured on other distinguished recordings as well.

Josh Dunlap

As a former student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Josh Dunlap studied for Trumpet Performance and is professional musician today. He is an integral part of the RJO's Trumpet section and has performed with the Reno Philharmonic, the Reno Chamber Orchestra and the Nevada Opera. On the celebrity side, Josh has been a part of the band for the Bob Newhart show, The Temptations and multiple shows through the Reno casino scene. When time allows, Josh is also a private trumpet instructor for the Lake Tahoe Music Camp.

Tony Cataldo

With his wild and wonderful free nature, Tony Cataldo refers to his instrument of choice as the cumbersome and unwieldy trumpet. Inspired at the early age of 10 by his music teacher, Tony quickly rose to the top in the field of music and additionally enjoys playing the electric guitar and bass guitar. Throughout his life to date, Tony has given thousands of free music clinics that he generously provides to the public every time he picks up an instrument.

---

Trombones

John Bennum

Trombonist John Bennum joined the RJO in 2017. He is a Reno native who left to study music and tour with rock bands coming home after seven years. John is a multi-instrumentalist that teaches guitar, bass guitar, drums, and of course the trombone. Enlightened by his great-grandfather, a dance band musician, John's inspiration and participation in jazz bands started in High School and continues today

Scott Thunder

Scott is a certified public accountant and RJO treasurer. His firm, Thunder Vick & Company are RJO sponsors. He is an accomplished trombonist performing not only with RJO but also the Reno Wind Symphony, Reno Philharmonic, and Nevada Ballet. He has performed with such memorable entertainers as Sammy Davis Jr., George Burns, The Four Tops, and Natalie Cole.

Eric Rogers, bass trombone

In addition to the RJO, Eric Rogers is a member of the reNEW brass quintet and has also performed with the Reno Philharmonic and Reno Chamber Orchestra. As a former music teacher at Rollan Melton Middle School, and the Dean of Students, Eric seeks to inspire his students to not only love music, yet more importantly, to develop a love of school, creativity and feeling of belonging. Eric got this commendable inspiration from his grandfather, Johnny Russell, who was the relief band leader for many of the casinos in the Reno/Tahoe area.

---

Saxophones

Karl Busch, alto

Saxophonist Karl Busch joined the RJO in 2018. He holds a Master of Music from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has enjoyed a career that has taken him around the world and back again. He began his performing career as part of the Larry Busch Orchestra and continued to play his saxophone and clarinet with the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, Madison Symphony, and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Enchanted with the opportunity to cruise around the world, Karl spent 25 years performing on stage with cruise lines. Today, he enjoys sharing his love of music at home with the RJO as band member and mentor, the Reno Chamber, and Reno Philharmonic.

Dallas Smith, alto

Saxophonist Dallas Smith joined the RJO in 2009 and has been a Board member since that time. He and his wife, harpist Susan Mazer, have performed together for forty years as a duo and founded Healing Healthcare Systems in 1989. Dallas also composes and has several albums to his credit. He has studied different styles of music, from classical to East Indian classical to American Jazz. He loves the impromptu abilities of jazz music and sound of big band. Dallas feels as though "time stands still when he plays with friends."

Jim Garaventa, tenor

Saxophonist Jim Garaventa is a founding member of the Reno Jazz Orchestra since our 1997 inception. He has played in the Reno-Tahoe area since 1975, during an era of casino showroom bands that began in the 60s. I met Jim in the 80s and worked with him for years in the showrooms with many of them part of the Johnny Russell Orchestra. Jim loves the diversity in jazz music. He believes that "there are not clear lines as to what jazz is or isn't."

Chris Clark, tenor

Known for his versatility, performing in a wide range of styles from traditional and modern jazz to free improvisation and pop/contemporary music. He is an active educator, teaching at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he directs jazz ensembles and provides saxophone instruction. Chris holds a Bachelor of Music degree in jazz studies from the University of Oregon and a Master of Music degree in jazz and improvisational music from the University of Nevada, Reno.

David Brennan, baritone

A versatile saxophonist and educator with a rich background in both performance and music education. Moving from Los Angeles to Reno 10 years ago he remains active in the greater Los Angeles, performing with prestigious ensembles such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Long Beach Opera. David holds Bachelor of Arts, Master of Music, and Doctorate of Musical Arts degrees from UCLA, with emphases in saxophone performance, conducting, and music education. He has also served on the faculties of several universities, including UCLA, La Sierra University, and Pepperdine University.

---

Rhythm

Hans Halt, bass

Bassist Hans Halt joined the RJO in 2005 and is also a composer and arranger. He began his career in the Bay area Latin bands. Since moving to the Reno-Tahoe area in 1985, Hans has been an active performer and composer with a variety of creative groups of all sizes. He was the Reno Harrah's showroom bassist for many years. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, he became a music professor at the University. Hans has been around music since he was a kid. He played piano, guitar, electric bass and built his career on the upright bass.

Bill Hecht, piano

Pianist Bill Hecht joined the RJO in 2006 and has led a very diverse career. He was the pianist for the Engelbert Humperdinck 1983 World Tour, performed with Little Anthony and the Imperials, Chuck Berry and many more. Bill sang in various productions with Nevada Opera Chorus and Reno Philharmonic Chorus and composed and arranged music for many of the more popular IGT slot machines. I have had the pleasure of working with Bill in a variety of ensembles starting in the 80s and he also arranges for the RJO.

Andy Heglund, drums

Drummer Andy Heglund joined the RJO in 2007 after Tony Savage went on tour with Englebert Humperdinck. Andy began playing professionally during high school for a steakhouse house band. He enjoyed the opportunities to learn different styles of music. Now, he enjoys teaching music at the University of Nevada, Reno. Andrew remembers his mom taking him to a concert featuring the drummer Buddy Rich, a musician "that greatly impacted his passion for jazz."

Lucas Arizu, guitar

Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, began his music education at the Escuela de Música de Buenos Aires, where he learned to play Tango and Folklore music on the traditional nylon string guitar. Lucas has developed a diverse musical repertoire, performing jazz, classical, and custom arrangements. He tours with Tim Snider & Wolfgang Timber across the United States.

---

HONORARY & Alumni BAND MEMBERS

The RJO recognizes these former band members for their passion and persistence to keep our education and performing programs thriving throughout Northern Nevada.

• John Beckman
• Joey Berger
• Joe Cadena
• Dean Carter
• Jack Caudill, Co-founder (In Memory)
• Mark Curry
• Frank Falcioni (In Memory)
• Dent Hand
• Julien Knowles
• Ron Legg
• Rich Lewis
• Mack McGrannahan
• Dickie Mills (In Memory)
• Leonard Neidhold (In Memory)
• Tony Savage, Co-founder
• Andrew Woodard

---

 

---

• Meet the Music Director
• Meet the RJO's Board of Directors & Staff
• Read about our History and Mission