Reno Jazz Quintet

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Reno Jazz Quintet: Contemplation

by Jack Bowers
November 1, 1998

The Reno Jazz Quintet is composed of faculty members from the University of Nevada–Reno, and the disc’s subtitle is “featuring Randy Porter.” The pianist is certainly a standout mainstream player, an observation that is no less accurate when applied to Engstrom, Vanek or Strong (who carves his niche on “Just in Time”). Porter, who has backed the likes of Freddie Hubbard, Art Farmer and Charles McPherson, among others, contributed one chart, “The Cats” (which perfectly describes the quintet as a ...