The Reno Jazz Festival Turns 40: Guest Artists Include Bobby Hutcherson and Nicholas Payton

Some of the best jazz musicians and educators in the world have flocked to Reno each April — and for the past 40 Aprils — to perform at the Reno Jazz Festival, during three days of concerts, competitions and jazz clinics for students and professionals alike. The stellar list of past festival alumni includes Paquito D’Rivera, Wynton Marsalis, Joe Lovano, Arturo Sandoval, Charlie Haden, Ingrid Jensen, Randy Brecker, Madeline Eastman, Eddie Daniels, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Michael Brecker, etc., etc., and thousands of student musicians from schools and colleges throughout the country.

Known as one of the finest jazz festivals in the world and sponsored by the University of Nevada, the Reno Jazz Festival celebrates 40 years of excellence when it opens April 18-20, 2002, to host more than 6,000 jazz students and scores of jazz educators, mentors and superstars who conduct clinics and competitions during the three-day event.

Guest artists for the festival’s 40th anniversary include premier vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, and Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Nicholas Payton with his quintet.

Bobby Hutcherson and The Collective kick off the festival Thursday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Nightingale Concert Hall on the UNR campus. The Nicholas Payton Quintet plays Friday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. in Lawlor Events Center on campus; and the Festival Showcase and Awards Ceremony will be held Saturday, April 20 at 6:30 p.m. in Lawlor Events Center.

Festival competitions and educational clinics featuring student performers and guest adjudicators are held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 19-20 at several campus locations.

The festival Jazz Fan Package (good for all events, April 18-20) is $50/general admission and $40/seniors, UNR faculty-staff and FTLOJ members. Tickets may also be purchased for individual concerts. Tickets for Bobby Hutcherson, April 18, are $15/general, $12/senior and $8/student; for Nicholas Payton Quintet, April 19, $24/general, $18/senior and $12/student; and for the Festival Showcase, April 20, $10/general, $8/senior and $6/student.

To purchase festival passes or individual tickets contact the University Arts Box Office at (775) 784-6847.

For more information about the Reno Jazz Festival:
Call (775) 784-4046 or 1-800-233-8928
http://www.dce.unr.edu/jazz