Reno Jazz Festival 2023

Celebrating 61 years with an incredible lineup of jazz artists and artist educators—and, offering a richer, deeper and more diverse educational and artistic experience for participants— devoted to educating and inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians.

Perform before renowned artist educators and receive their feedback

• Vie for a spot in the Festival Performance Showcase

• Experience improv while playing with the talented house band (comprised of nationally recognized artists) during three Jam Sessions

• Expand your jazz horizons at workshops & daytime concerts led by experts in the field

Watch captivating superstars in concert: Joel Ross and Marquis Hill

Support, meet and greet RJFs 2023 Composer and woodwind specialist, Julian Tanaka

THURS APRIL 27

JOEL ROSS

MANZANITA QUINTET

Joel Ross continues refining an expression that’s true to his sound and his generation. In 2019, the vibraphonist-composer issued his anticipated Blue Note debut, Edison Awardwinning record KingMaker to eruptive critical acclaim, followed by his 2020 release Who Are You? which features his band Good Vibes at their most synchronous. New York Times critic Giovanni Russonello praised the album for the ways it “speaks to a new level of group cohesion …more tangle, more sharing, more possibility.”

Joel will deliver a mind-blowing opening performance, along with the Manzanita Quintet — the University of Nevada, Reno faculty ensemble, featuring Adam Benjamin on piano, Peter Epstein on saxophone, Hans Halt on bass, Andrew Heglund on drums and Josh Reed on trumpet.

DON’T MISS JAZZ WORKSHOP/DAYTIME CONCERT(S) WITH JOEL ROSS AND MEMBERS OF THE MANZANITA QUINTET: PETER EPSTEIN, HANS HALT, JOSH REED, ANDREW HEGLUND AND ADAM BENJAMIN

MARQUIS HILL

From his beginnings as one of Chicago’s most thrilling young trumpeters, to his current status as an internationally renowned musician, composer and bandleader, Marquis Hill has worked tirelessly to break down the barriers that divide musical genres. Contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, neo-soul… to Hill, they’re all essential elements of the profound African-American creative heritage he’s a part of. “It all comes from the same tree,” he says. “They simply blossomed from different branches.” That mission to bring styles together, complemented by Hill’s absolute mastery of his instrument, is a through line connecting his many achievements. It can be heard on his latest album, Modern Flows Vol. II, with its seamless blend of jazz interplay, hip-hopinfused rhythms and socially conscious spoken-word

DON’T MISS JAZZ WORKSHOP/DAYTIME CONCERT WITH MARQUIS HILL AND WATCH OUT FOR AN APPEARANCE AT ONE OF OUR THREE JAM SESSION(S).

JULIAN TANAKA

SHARES TALENT, MUSIC & EXPERTISE

ulian Tanaka is a woodwind specialist, acclaimed Jazz composer, plays saxophone and clarinet, learned jazz arranging with Joe Lano, and received his M.M. in Jazz Writing from Eastman School of Music. He is our 2023 Festival Composer, selected to help further the composition of music by underrepresented communities in jazz.

All groups attending the festival can receive Tanaka’s composition, written for the Festival, and are invited to perform the music in their performance review. Groups who do will get to meet Tanaka during a VIP Meet & Greet event.

DON’T MISS JAZZ WORKSHOP WITH JULIAN TANAKA + WATCH OUT FOR HIM AT ONE OF OUR JAM SESSION(S)

PERFORM TANAKA’S RJF COMPOSITION. GET HIS FEEDBACK IN A MEET & GREET. TO RECEIVE JULIAN’S RJF COMPOSITION, EMAIL RJF@UNR.EDU

Photo: Otto Lee, Artist Educator/ Performer, live at 2022 Jam Session

WORKSHOPS + DAYTIME CONCERTS EXPAND YOUR JAZZ HORIZONS

[ FRI APRIL 28 + SAT APRIL 29 | 8AM-6PM ]

Participants and attendees have access to two full days of jazz workshops, covering a range of topics presented by accomplished jazz musicians and Artist Educators from around the nation, including our guest artists Marquis Hill and Joel Ross; and, 2023 Festival Composer Julian Tanaka. Also, faculty from the distinguished Berklee College of Music’s Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, in Boston, will lead a conversation about equity and jazz. Stay tuned for updates.

JAM SESSIONS GOING WITH THE FLOW

[ THURS APRIL 27, FRI APRIL 28, SAT APRIL 29 | 10PM ]

Festival participants will have the chance to show off or test their improv skills by jamming alongside peers and professionals. This year, Jam Sessions will be hosted on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. On Friday evening, professional Jazz musicians and Artist Educators will take turns putting on a free improvisational show sure to dazzle and extend well into the early morning hours.

FESTIVAL SHOWCASE RECOGNIZING STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

[ SAT APRIL 29 | 6:30PM ]

The Saturday night Festival Showcase finale features a curated selection of student performances that showcase creativity, innovation, fresh perspectives and exceptional sound. The closing showcase provides a compelling crosssection of performances, celebrating the future of jazz.

Photo: Michael Mayo, 2022 Festival Headliner conducting a workshop at the festival.

& REVIEW PERFORMANCE

Student Performance Review & Critique includes 60 minutes with accomplished artist educators. During this time, the group performs selections of its own choice and receives on-the-spot coaching and feedback immediately afterward. Groups will receive a recording of their performance along with the artist educators’ comments.

In addition, all participants can:

• vie for a spot in the Festival Performance Showcase

• experience improv while playing with the talented house band(s) during the Jam Session(s)

• expand their jazz horizons at workshops & daytime concerts led by experts in the field, covering a range of topics

• watch captivating superstars Marquis Hill and Joel Ross in concert.

REGISTRATION

REGISTRATION FEES

Out of State: $250 / per band, combo, choir Nevada Schools: $200 / per band, combo, choir

REGISTER NOW >>

SCHOOL PASSES BEFORE YOU REGISTER

In addition to the group registration fee, all attendees must purchase festival passes for entrance into all festival performance rooms, clinic rooms and evening concerts. You do not need to purchase passes with your registration fee. These can be purchased through April 6, 2023 at a discounted rate.

See School Passes >> Purchase School Passes >>

Before you register, take a moment to review essential need-to-know reminders (see next page)

BEFORE YOU REGISTER

… TAKE A MOMENT TO REVIEW THESE NEED-TO-KNOW REMINDERS

CATEGORIES

Participants must fit into one of these categories:

Band: 10 or more performers

Combo: 2 to 9 performers

Solo: 1 to 5 performers

Choir: 10 or more performers

Each band, combo, solo or choir will perform in a single category. Register early to ensure best performance slots.

RULES + REGULATIONS

Familiarize yourself with our Rules & Regulations Download Rules & Regulations >>

ACCOMMODATIONS

The Reno Jazz Festival has partnered with The ROW Circus Circus to offer affordable rates. Call (800) 687-8733 and identify yourself as part of the University of Nevada, Reno Jazz Festival 2023. Reserve your space early as the number of rooms at the discounted rate are limited.

For other accommodations in the Reno area, visit: https://tinyurl.com/StayInReno

REGISTER EARLY TO ENSURE BEST AVAILABLE PERFORMANCE TIMES.

REFUND POLICY

Full registration refunds, less a $45 non-refundable registration, will be given through March 3, 2023.

Partial registration refunds, less a $100 cancellation fee, will be given through April 6, 2023.

Passes will be refunded in full through March 31, 2023. Refunds for passes will not be given after this date.

FESTIVAL PASSES REQUIRED FOR ALL ATTENDEES

In addition to the group registration fee, all attendees must purchase festival passes for entrance into all festival performance rooms, workshop/clinic rooms and guest artists’ concerts.

You do not need to purchase passes/tickets at the same time as the registration fee. Passes can be purchased through April 6, 2023 at a discounted rate. Or, after that at the full festival pass rate.

PASSES

GROUP PASSES AVAILABLE ONLY TO SCHOOL DIRECTORS

To receive group rates, passes must be purchased by the school director, otherwise individual ticket prices will apply.

Discounted group passes may be purchased thru April 6, 2023. After this date full festival pass price/individual ticket prices will apply.

QUESTIONS?

If you have any questions about registration and/or School Passes please contact us at:

JAZZ FAN PASS

Good for all events, workshops & daytime concerts, Thurs April 27 thru Sat April 29, including select seating at opening concert (Joel Ross + Manzanita Quintet), headliner concert (Marquis Hill) and the Festival Showcase.

Group Passes purchased by April 6, 2023: $50 per pass

General Admission purchased after April 6, 2023: $70 per pass

Purchase Jazz Fan Pass >>

2-DAY FESTIVAL PASS

Good for all events, workshops & daytime concerts on Fri April 28 and Sat April 29, including headliner concert (Marquis Hall) and Festival Showcase.

Group Passes purchased by April 6, 2023: $32 per pass

General Admission purchased after April 6, 2023: $36 per pass

Purchase 2-Day Pass >>

FRIDAY, APRIL 28 PASS

Good for all events, workshops & daytime concerts on Fri April 28 including headliner concert (Marquis Hall).

Group Passes purchased by April 6, 2023: $28 per pass

General Admission purchased after April 6, 2023: $32 per pass

Purchase Friday Pass >>

SATURDAY, APRIL 29 PASS

Good for all events, workshops & daytime concerts on Sat April 29 including Festival Showcase.

Group Passes purchased by April 6, 2023: $25 per pass

General Admission purchased after April 6, 2023: $27 per pass

Purchase Saturday Pass >>