Creative Directions in Jazz – 2023

Published September 29, 2023

Creative Directions in Jazz – 2023

by Tim Young (Guest Writer)

*Tim Young: The Executive Director of the Reno Jazz Orchestra*

On October 21, 2023 at 7:30 p.m. at the Nevada Museum of Art, the Reno Jazz Orchestra will present a concert titled Creative Directions in Jazz featuring new jazz compositions, many from Reno-based artists. The concert builds on work that the RJO began in 2022.

Jazz has always been a dynamic and creative tradition. Perhaps the improvisational demands of the music attract particularly creative spirits, or perhaps the tumult and rapid change of the last 100 years have required that the music keep pace, but jazz has evolved and developed at a rapid rate from the blues and ragtime of New Orleans through countless new directions.

The Reno Jazz Orchestra highlighted some of Reno’s most creative spirits during a concert in 2022 and will revisit and develop the theme in this year’s performance (details at renojazzorchestra.org).

The 2022 version of Creative Directions featured the music of Reno composers Hans Halt, Larry Engstrom, Julian Knowles, and Chuck Reider. The concert was the genesis of the latest RJO Album NEXT – NEW DIRECTIONS.

Audiences at this year’s concert will be able to revisit some of the favorite tracks of the album including Engstrom’s Ineluctable Modality, Osmosis by Hans Halt and Vieille Chanson Nouvelle by Chuck Reider, and also explore new sounds from composers David Caffey, Tyler Gilmore, and Socrates Garcia.

Guest music director Gary Mayne has drawn on his lifetime of playing and listening to jazz to curate and select the featured compositions.

Following this performance, the new musical leadership of the RJO will be the focus of the next series of concerts performed by the RJO. Four candidates for the position of RJO Music Director have been selected to direct the concerts in November, December, February, and March. Don’t miss future Art Views columns for details and interviews with each of the candidates, and plan to attend the concerts to meet them and provide your feedback!

Tim Young is the Reno Jazz Orchestra Executive Director