Concert Program

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A Tribute to George Benson
featuring Colin Cook and Kyle Rea
Reno Jazz Orchestra
Greg Johnson, Music Director

August 23, 2026
Nightingale Concert Hall
August 24, 2026
Sand Harbor State Park

The Musicians
Reno Jazz Orchestra

Saxophone
- Karl Busch, alto I
- Dallas Smith, alto II
- Chris Clark, tenor I
- Nat Kline, tenor II
- David Brennan, baritone
Trombone
- Gary Mayne, trombone I
- John Bennum, trombone II
- Scott Thunder, trombone III
- Eric Rodgers, bass trombone

Trumpet
- Paul Lenz, trumpet I
- Jef Derderian, trumpet II
- Josh Dunlap, trumpet III
- Tony Cataldo, trumpet IV
Rhythm
- Kendell Hoopes, piano
- Hans Halt, bass
- Andy Heglund, drums

Setlist

(Intermission will be announced)
Tunes to be selected from the following:

Breezin – Bobby Womack arr. Greg Johnson
Feel Like Making Love – Roberta Flack arr. Greg Johnson
On Broadway – Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil arr. Greg Johnson
This Masquerade – Leon Russell arr. Greg Johnson
Ready and Able - Jimmy Smith arr. Greg Johnson
Give Me The Night – Rod Temperton arr. Greg Johnson
Never Give Up On a Good Thing – Michael Garvin/Tom Shapiro arr. Greg Johnson
Without a Song – Vincent Youmans
Morning – Al Jarreau/David Foster/Jay Graydon arr. Greg Johnson
How Long Has This Been Going On – George Gershwin arr. Greg Johnson
Twisted Blues – Wes Montgomery
Sugar – Stanley Turrentine arr. Bob Florence
Ready Now That You Are – Frank Foster
Valdez in the Country – Donny Hathaway arr. Chuck Reider

Reno Jazz Orchestra
Featuring Colin Cook and Kyle Rea

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

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!

Reno Jazz Orchestra
Divas of Jazz

October 11, 2026
Nightingale Concert Hall

Immerse yourself in the brilliance of jazz’s most iconic female vocalists as we pay tribute to legends like Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. Experience the exceptional arrangements by Music Director Greg Johnson, performed by a world-class ensemble and renowned guest vocalists. This afternoon is designed to showcase the profound influence these divas had on the jazz genre and offer an unforgettable performance that captures their spirit and artistry.

Tickets On Sale Soon!

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 — 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

Thank you to our audience of friends, fans, partners, corporate donors, board members, volunteers, and musicians for helping to make this music possible. We especially appreciate everyone who donated this past year.

RJO Diamond Donors
$20,000 + Donations
- Susan Mazer and Dallas Smith
- Walters Family Trust
- Anonymous
- Anonymous
RJO Emerald Donors
$10,000 - $19,999
- Cindy and Chuck Bluth
- Sandra Cath and David Contis
- Lana and Stephen Hardy
- Christine and Parky May
- Eleanor and Bob Preger
- Candy and Chuck Reider
- Julie and Craig Rauchle
- John Snow Foundation
- Ursula and Richard Tracy
RJO Crystal Donors
$5,000 - $9,999
- Scott Brase
- Mike and Catherine Eardley
- Michael Gross
- Jean and Maurice Heley
- Alicia and Jim House
- Janet and Monte Klein Family Foundation
- Jane and Jim Nichols
- Rebecca and Russ Renzas
- Mary Anna Replogle
- Nancy Rose
- Baiba and Ainars Rodins
- Seminetta Family Foundation
- 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
- Alicia Garijo
- Lauren and Joe Gorman
- Susan Wyman and Victor Henney
- Mary Ann and James Kidder
- Ginnie Kersey
- Martha and Bruce MacKay
- Jennifer Mannix
- Deanna Nelson
- Brian Passalacqua
- Edward M. Posin Foundation
- Roz Reynolds
- Mary and Steve Self
- Meri Shadley
- Gloria and Dean Smith
- Jennifer Stern
- Lois and Robert Strejc
- Scott Thunder
- Timothy Young

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.

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.

The RJO is Dedicated to Education!

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.