Concert Program

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The Quintessence Music Series

Reno Jazz Orchestra presents
Sinatra Sings, Basie Swings
featuring Matt Mauser

Greg Johnson, Music Director

Saturday, May 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Nightingale Concert Hall
University of Nevada
Reno, NV

— With Appreciation To —

For their gracious donation to all the Mothers in our audience today.
Happy Mother's Day!

The Musicians
Reno Jazz Orchestra

Saxophone
- Jake Xie, Alto 1
- David Brennan, Alto 2
- Chris Clark, Tenor 1
- Nat Kline, Tenor 2
- Jack Scarbrough, Baritone
Trombone
- Gary Mayne, Trombone 1
- John Bennum, Trombone 2
- Scott Thunder, Trombone 3
- Eric Rogers, Bass Trombone

Trumpet
- Paul Lenz, Trumpet 1
- Josh Dunlap, Trumpet 2
- Jef Derderian, Trumpet 3
- Tony Cataldo, Trumpet 4
Rhythm
- Kendall Hoopes, Piano
- Jordan Taylor, Guitar
- Hans Halt, Bass
- Andy Heglund, Drumkit

In Memory of Bill Hecht

Bill Hecht on stage. Photo by David Rocco.

The Reno music community lost a vibrant, inventive, and personable member last month. Bill Hecht gave us memorable piano performances either soloing or as part of an ensemble. He was a keyboardist, composer, arranger, and technical music wizard. But most importantly Bill was a pleasure to work with both on and off the stage. His career was diverse performing with the Harrah's Reno orchestra, touring with Englebert Humperdinck, countless jazz combos, and singing with both the Reno Phil and Nevada Opera choruses. He joined the RJO in 2006 and was a valued musician. His ears helped guide many of our recordings. We miss his wit, his talents, his comradeship and we will always love him madly.

Setlists

Reno Jazz Orchestra

Come Fly With Me
Cahn and van Heusen; Arr. Jon Harpin
I've Got You Under My Skin
Cole Porter; Arr. Nelson Riddle and Quincy Jones
Luck Be A Lady
Frank Loesser; Arr. Billy May, Quincy Jones
The Way You Look Tonight
Fields and Kern; Arr. Nelson Riddle
Beyond the Sea
Arr. Jerry Sheppard
Mack the Knife
Kurt Weill with lyrics by Bertolt Brecht; Arr. Greg Johnson
All Shook Up
Elvis Presley; Arr. Greg Johnson
It's Not Unusual
Tom Jones; Arr. Greg Johnson
Fly Me to The Moon
Bart Howard; Arr. Quincy Jones
One for My Baby
Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer; Arr. Greg Johnson

~ Intermission ~

Volare
Domenico Modugno; Arr. Greg Johnson
Lovely Day
Bill Withers; Arr. Greg Johnson
Copacabana
Barry Manilow; Arr. Greg Johnson
You'll Never Find
Loe Rawls; Arr. Greg Johnson
Disco Inferno
The Trammps; Arr. Greg Johnson
Strangers in the Night
Bert Kaempfert
That's Life
Kay and Gordon; Arr. Jon Harpin
New York, New York
Ebb and Kander; Arr. Don Costa
My Way
Revaux and Francois; Arr. Greg Johnson

Matt Mauser

As the lead singer of the popular Southern California rock band, Tijuana Dogs, Matt Mauser has been entertaining audiences with his unique style since the late '90s. As the Tijuana Dogs grew in popularity, the band was often asked to perform at weddings, corporate parties, and events that required a more sophisticated style of music. It was during that time when Matt fell in love with the music of Frank Sinatra. Mesmerized by Sinatra's smooth voice and unequaled phrasing, Matt memorized the subtleties in each song Frank sang.

Matt has the unique ability to put a modern twist on Frank's classic sound, while using his own style to entertain and educate audiences about Frank's life.

Visit the official Matt Mauser Big Band website.

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

RJO Concerts This Summer

A Tribute to Quincy Jones
Greg Johnson, Music Director

Two Shows!

July 21, 2025, at 7:30 pm
Warren Edward Trepp Stage
Sand Harbor
at Lake Tahoe State Park

Sand Harbor Tickets

July 22, 2025, at 6:00 pm
On the Quad
University of Nevada, Reno
(FREE CONCERT ON THE QUAD)

Quincy Jones' legacy is a gift of everlasting music that will be reignited by the Reno Jazz Orchestra. For seven decades, Quincy Jones's genius emerged as a master musician, composer, arranger and producer. His award-winning brilliance evolved performing with Lionel Hampton, traveling the world as Dizzy Gillespie's music director, arranging for Count Basie and Frank Sinatra and producing Lesley Gore's 1960s hits, Michael Jackson's greatest tunes and the historic recording "We Are the World."

The Music of Nina Simone
featuring Morgan James
Greg Johnson, Music Director

Two Shows!

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

Nightingale Hall Tickets

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

Sand Harbor Tickets

Morgan James will present her soulful connection to Nina Simone for a night of classic soul and jazz music through her sensational vocals noted by the New York Times as "soul deep." Rolling Stone magazine ranked Nina Simone as 'one of the greatest singers of all time." Simon's vibrant career will come to life through the sultry, sexy and striking vocal talents of Morgan James with Reno Jazz Orchestra's vibrant jazz and blues vibrations.

Visit the official Morgan James Website.

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

Welcome Our Recent Corporate Donors

THANK YOU ... Kimmie Candy for your gracious donation to all the mothers in our audience today.

Joe Dutra is the founder and visionary behind Kimmie Candy, a thriving candy company known for its high-quality, unique confections that include its expanded product line with kosher, gluten-free, peanut-free, organic, non-GMO, and fair-trade options. Their factory tour is a fantastic adventure for Mom, and candy lovers of all ages, blending fun and enchantment with the fascinating process of candy creation - right here in Reno!

Visit kimmiecandy.com

THANK YOU ... to Whispering Vine Wine Co. who is the Reno Jazz Orchestra's newest Corporate Sponsor.

Established in 1998, Whispering Vine Wine Co. has been a Premier wine and spirits purveyor for over 25 years. With a rotating wine selection of thousands of labels and an ever-growing spirits program, they strive to bring you the best of what's available at the best prices possible. With two locations in Reno offering fine wine and delicious food, we encourage you to spoil Mom at Whispering Wine!

Visit whisperingvinewine.com

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 Platinum Donors
$20,000 + Donations
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
- Susan Mazer and Dallas Smith
RJO Gold Donors
$10,000 - $19,999
- Sandra Cath and David Contis
- Lana and Stephen Hardy
- Julie and Craig Rauchle
- John Snow Foundation
- Ursula and Richard Tracy
- CJ Walters, in Memory of Larry Walters
RJO Silver Donors
$5,000 - $9,999
- Mike and Catherine Eardley
- Dent N. Hand Jr.
- 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
- Suzanne and Matthew Booher
- Thomas Brown
- Patty Engels and Dick Medland
- Ruthie and Jim Garaventa
- Lauren and Joe Gorman
- Jean and Maurice Heley
- Susan Wyman and Victor Henney
- Alicia and Jim House
- Mary Ann and James Kidder
- Janet and Monte Klein Family Foundation
- 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.