The RJO's Mentor Program

Vincenzo Pellegrino

THE RENO JAZZ ORCHESTRA IS DEDICATED TO JAZZ MUSIC EDUCATION

Vincenzo Pellegrino

Vincenzo Luigi Pellegrino is a working musician in the greater Sierra Nevada area, a place he has called home for 10+ years. Last spring, he graduated from University of Nevada, Reno's outstanding jazz program, and was (and still is) greatly influenced by Adam Benjamin and the rest of the amazing faculty who helped him find a deep connection and love with music and the lifestyle that comes with it.

He has been a part and is currently involved with some really great groups in the area, including the Truckee Jazz Collective, the Reno Jazz Syndicate, Sonido Sueños, Cruz Control, Full Blast Band, Troubled Youth Trio, and more.

His piano playing is a direct reflection of his favorite pianists, such as Keith Jarrett, Brad Mehldau, McCoy Tyner, and Alice Coltrane to name a few. On top of that, he enjoys all types of music and artists, with some of his favorites being Hiatus Kaiyote, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind, & Fire, The Marias, and D'Angelo.

Living in Reno, Nevada, he has found steady work as a gigging musician, striving to share his musical expression and love with all who care to listen. Moreover, he hopes to share that with his students, and show them that with the right amount of admiration and passion for this music, a viable career is possible.