Concert Program

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Reno Jazz Orchestra presents
The Music of Nina Simone
featuring Morgan James

Greg Johnson, Music Director

August 24, 2025, at 4:00 pm
Nightingale Concert Hall
University of Nevada Reno

August 25, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Warren Edward Trepp Stage
Sand Harbor at Lake Tahoe State Park

The Musicians
Reno Jazz Orchestra

Saxophone
- Chris Clark, Alto I
- Dallas Smith, Alto II
- Jim Garaventa, Tenor I
- David Brenan,, Tenor II
- Jack Scarbrough,, Baritone
Trombone
- Gary Mayne, Trombone I
- John Bennum, Trombone II
- Scott Thunder, Trombone III
- Andrew Williams, Trombone IV

Trumpet
- Paul Lenz, Trumpet I
- Josh Reed, Trumpet II
- Josh Dunlap, Trumpet III
- Tony Cataldo, Trumpet IV
Rhythm
- Kris Landrum,, Piano
- Lucas Arizu, Guitar
- Hans Halt, Bass
- Andy Heglund, Drums

Setlist

Reno Jazz Orchestra

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU
MY BABY JUST CARES FOR ME
DON'T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD
LITTLE GIRL BLUE
FINE AND MELLOW
WILD IS THE WIND
I WISH I KNEW HOW IT WOULD FEEL
IN THE DARK

~ Intermission ~

LOVE ME OR LEAVE ME
DO I MOVE YOU
TELL ME MORE
BLACK IS THE COLOR
LILAC WINE
NOBODY KNOWS YOU
TROUBLE IN MIND
FEELING GOOD

Morgan James

Singer-songwriter Morgan James, who cultivated a love for strong songwriters while growing up listening to artists like Joni Mitchell and Prince, began writing her own music after graduating from Juilliard and performing in five Broadway shows. After signing with Epic Records, she released her solo album Hunter in 2014 and a live tribute album to Nina Simone.

In addition to her studio albums, James has released full album covers of Joni Mitchell's Blue and The Beatles' White Album, as well as two volumes of her fan-favorite Quarantunes with her husband, Doug Wamble.

Visit Morgan James on her official Website.

New Music

Out Now

Reno Jazz Orchestra

RJO on Sand Harbor Tahoe Stage

The Reno Jazz Orchestra is a 17-piece contemporary big band in Northern Nevada. The band was formed in 1997 by musicians who performed with acts such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Natalie Cole in the casino showroom orchestras. Currently, the band is comprised of highly skilled veteran musicians as well as graduates from the University of Nevada, Reno's jazz program. The Orchestra has recently featured such guest artists as Tom Scott, Kurt Elling, Patti Austin, Ernie Watts, and Dianne Schuur.

Our Vision: The RJO inspires, connects, and unites the community of northern Nevada and the region through locally produced professional jazz orchestra concerts and education programs.

Our Mission: We aim to build a greater appreciation of jazz in Northern Nevada by providing outstanding jazz orchestra concerts, promoting the artistry of Reno Jazz Orchestra musicians through a variety of performance opportunities, and by providing jazz education programs.

Visit renojazzorchestra.org

Greg Johnson
Musical Director

Dr. Greg Johnson is quickly becoming recognized as an important voice in the jazz community. His distinctive saxophone sound and compositional style has found its way into multiple genres of Jazz, Classical and Popular music.

As a saxophonist, Greg has appeared in concert and on over 40 mainstream recordings with jazz legends Curtis Fuller, Billy Taylor, Bob Mintzer and many more. He has toured and performed with notable Pop and Rock acts such as Saint Motel, Robin Thicke and Barry Manilow, Skip Martin, The Spinners, The O'Jays, Eddie Holman and Jim Peterik, at some of the biggest venues and festivals in the world.

Serving as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Sacramento State, Greg has previously held positions at the University of Southern California, Marin School of the Arts and California State University Stanislaus. He has released ten recordings under his name and has contributed to dozens more. His recent work has appeared on the GRAMMY ballot in six categories for his albums "Philosopher's Path" and "Visions of Kansas City."

Visit gregjohnsonjazz.com

New Music from the RJO

Available on CD and Mp3

Next: New Directions

We send a heartfelt thank you to Mike Eardley of Tanglewood Productions for his creative mixing, editing and mastering of the original music by members of the RJO.

Our CD is available for purchase here at the show.

Download at Amazon

New Music from Greg Johnson

Available on Mp3

Rick Hirsch- Alto Sax
Tony Peebles- Tenor Sax
Daniel Casares- Bari Sax
Kyle Athayde- Trumpet
Steve Roach- Trumpet
John Gove- Trombone
Omree Gal-Oz- Piano
Curtis Aikens- Bass
Michael Henning- Drums

Score supervisor- Matt Verpleatse
Producer- Richard Leiter
Recording, Mixing and Mastering- Jeff Kolhede
Recorded at 25th Street Studios, Oakland CA
Album Art: Christina Obligar

Download at Amazon

Upcoming RJO Concerts

Someday We'll All Be Free:
The Genius of Donny Hathaway
Greg Johnson, Music Director

Two Shows!

September 27 and 28, 2025
The Nugget Celebrity Showroom in Sparks, NV

The Reno Jazz Orchestra (RJO) will celebrate Donny Hathaway's 80th birthday with a special production, "Someday We'll All Be Free: The Genius of Donny Hathaway," on September 27 and 28, 2025, at the Nugget Celebrity Showroom in Sparks, NV.

Hathaway, a pivotal figure in 1970s soul music, was a gifted singer, pianist, and composer whose work blended gospel, jazz, and R&B, often carrying powerful messages about civil rights. This unique RJO production, led by Music Director Dr. Greg Johnson, will feature an expanded roster of artists, including a string orchestra, original arrangements, guest vocalists, and a gospel choir. The concert will showcase Hathaway's well-known songs in the first half, with material from his album Extensions of a Man in the second.

Community outreach for the event will begin in mid-2025, involving local school districts and offering free tickets to students. Donny Hathaway's daughter, Donnita Hathaway, director of the Donny Hathaway Legacy Project, will participate in these efforts. Her organization aims to support individuals struggling with mental health, a cause deeply personal to her given her father's battle with paranoid schizophrenia and his suicide in 1979. Cliff Porter, who also leads a local mental health non-profit, will join Donnita Hathaway in the community outreach. Donnita Hathaway established her project to acknowledge her father's musical contributions, address the issue of suicide among young Black individuals, and share her own journey of healing through holistic methods.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Read the Press Release
Read Details & Ticketing Info
Explore the Donny Hathaway Legacy Project
Donny Hathaway on YouTube

THE RJO STAFF AND ASSOCIATES

Vernon Scarbrough, Executive Director — vernon.scarbrough@renojazzorchestra.org
Chuck Reider, President — chuck.reider@renojazzorchestra.org
Greg Johnson, Music Director — greg.johnson@renojazzorchestra.org
Lee Koch, Marketing / Development Director — lee.koch@renojazzorchestra.org
Diana Stewart, Event Manager — diana@renojazzorchestra.org
Danne Polk, Web Master / Graphic Design — danne.polk@renojazzorchestra.org
Nichole Heglund, Education Director — nichole.heglund@renojazzorchestra.org
Alana Ridge, Social Media Manager — alana@renojazzorchestra.org
Vernon Scarbrough, Library and House Manager — vernon.scarbrough@renojazzorchestra.org

We Thank Our Corporate Sponsors
and Industry Partners

For more information about our Corporate Sponsor benefits, please contact Lee Weber Koch, Marketing & Development Director.

Contact Lee Koch

This program has been funded, in part, by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

We Thank Our Supporting Members

RJO Diamond Donors
$20,000 + Donations
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
- Susan Mazer and Dallas Smith
- Walters Family Trust
RJO Emerald Donors
$10,000 - $19,999
- Sandra Cath and David Contis
- Lana and Stephen Hardy
- Christine and Parky May
- Julie and Craig Rauchle
- John Snow Foundation
- Ursula and Richard Tracy
RJO Crystal Donors
$5,000 - $9,999
- Mike and Catherine Eardley
- Dent N. Hand Jr.
- Jean and Maurice Heley
- Alicia and Jim House
- Janet and Monte Klein Family Foundation
- Jane and Jim Nichols
- Rachelle and Wayne Prim
- Mary Replogle
- Baiba and Ainars Rodins
- Linda and King Won - in Honor of Sue Ying Fong
RJO Bronze Donors
$1,000 - $4,999
- Cynthia and Calvin Albright
- Suzanne and Matthew Booher
- Thomas Brown
- Don Coppa
- Patty Engels and Dick Medland
- Ruthie and Jim Garaventa
- Lauren and Joe Gorman
- Susan Wyman and Victor Henney
- Mary Ann and James Kidder
- Martha and Bruce MacKay
- Christine and Parky May
- Deanna Nelson
- Candy and Chuck Reider
- Nancy Rose
- Jennifer Stern
- Lois and Robert Strejc
- Scott Thunder
- Timothy Young
RJO Partner
$500 - $999
- Ginnie Kersey
- Jennifer Mannix

Help us Invest in Music Education

If you are looking for ways to offer support, please consider the RJO's Education Programs.

students on stage playing music

Our mission is to build a greater appreciation of jazz in Northern Nevada by providing outstanding big band performances and supporting jazz education programs throughout Northern Nevada and California.

With your support and sponsorship, we can continue to inspire the next generation through these “free to the students” RJO education programs.

Here are our ongoing programs:

Jazz Mentor Program
(Fall & Spring)

This eight-week program provides local jazz ensembles additional instruction from mentors in the areas of improvisation, instrument technique, jazz style and more.

Discover Jazz Workshop
(Fall & Spring)

The RJO provides a Saturday workshop for Northern Nevada and California students who would like to work on improvisation, jazz theory, ear training and small group performance.

Gems Jazz Combo Workshop
(Fall & Spring)

This educational program inites female and non-binary student musicians to play jazz. In this 8-week program, students will work on standard jazz tunes, style & improvisation in the context of a cjazzz combo. The culminating project will be a performance.

Lessons Program
(Fall & Spring)

In partnership with Title I schools, students learn proper technique on their instruments, reinforce the skills they are learning in class and work in a small group setting to master their skills.

Jazz in the Schools
(Every February)

Over 350 middle and high school musicians from over a dozen Northern Nevada jazz bands perform at the University of Nevada, Reno. Ensembles receive complimentary feedback from nationally recognized clinicians, attend improvisation clinics and hear RJO and RYJO perform.

Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra (RYJO)
(November-July)

This award-winning group of top middle and high school jazz musicians and vocalist rehearses weekly and performs several times throughout the season. Students must be enrolled in their school programs to audition.

Be a Part of our Inspiration

To make a tax-deductible donation, please visit RenoJazzOrchestra.org/donate
or use this QR code:

MAILING ADDRESS

Reno Jazz Orchestra
2590 Orovada Street
Reno, NV 89512

PHONE, EMAIL, WEBSITE
775-372-6160
info@renojazzorchestra.org
renojazzorchestra.org

Share Your Time and Your Love of Jazz
Volunteer!

Volunteers are vital to the Reno Jazz Orchestra. The RJO relies on donations of time to strengthen our organization and to ensure our many events run smoothly. Opportunities exist to assist with performances and special events throughout the year in Reno, Tahoe and Northern Nevada.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Call or email now to join our pool of volunteers.

Contact Diana Stewart at 775-372-6160 or Diana Raquel at Diana@renojazzorchestra.org.

Jazz Radio for Reno & Sparks

Saturday Night Jazz
89.5 on your FM dial

KNCJ Saturday Night Jazz Radio

Jazz music Saturday nights between 6 and 10 PM, with Scot Marshall, Dallas Smith, and Graham Marshall as your hosts.

Listen to the latest releases and classics of America's great musical art form.

Brought to you by KUNR.

For the Love of Jazz is your online hub for promoting and celebrating local jazz music and jazz musicians. FTLOJ regularly sponsors and co-sponsors musical events for its members and the wider community of jazz music aficionados. The site offers a continually updated Calender of Events, articles of featured local artists, and lots more.

Currently For the Love of Jazz, in conjunction with Laughing Planet, is sponsoring the Reno Jazz Community Jam. This event occurs on the first Sunday of every month through June, 2023. The Jam is specifically designed to provide the opportunity for student musicians to play in a live setting with other players who are fluent in the “language” of jazz. Participation is free to students of all ages and abilities but is specifically targeted to high school and middle school students. It's a great way for motivated musicians to experience the dynamics of live ensemble interaction.