About

The Reno Jazz Festival is better than ever. With over 60 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— this festival is devoted to educating and inspiring the next generation of jazz musicians.

• Registered Groups Receive:

  • Performance review: a 55-minute session with distinguished artist Educators. During this time, your group will perform selected pieces of your choosing and receive real-time coaching and feedback. The group director determines how to allocate the session time. After the Festival, school directors will receive a recording of the performance, complete with comments from the Artist Educators.

  • Jam Session(s): join us on Thursday and Friday nights—featuring nationally acclaimed artists—for an unforgettable experience in improvised music during tour evening Jam Sessions at Laughing Planet Reno.

  • Clinics and daytime concerts: broaden your jazz knowledge and skills with engaging clinics and concerts led by top experts in the field.

  • Concert performances: enjoy a lineup of inspiring and captivating concerts!

After you register, be sure to check your email and our website for updates containing helpful information leading up to the Festival. Sign up now to join our email list and stay connected.

History

Since 1962, the Reno Jazz Festival has welcomed jazz students, instructors, performers and fans to the University of Nevada, Reno, for three days of playing, listening and learning. The festival provides a platform for students to perform for professional musicians, music educators and peers, while also learning from jazz masters through clinics, workshops and concerts.

Recognized as one of the premier events of its kind, the Reno Jazz Festival has been praised by the San Francisco Chronicle as “showcasing music’s future.”

The festival features public performances by world-renowned guest artists, including some of the most celebrated names in jazz history, such as Melissa Aldana, Art Blakey, Ray Brown, Roy Haynes, Lee Konitz, Michael Brecker, Jon Hendricks, Dave Holland, Bobby Hutcherson, Charlie Haden, Maria Schneider and Ravi Coltrane. Each year, the festival aims to ensure that every participant leaves with a deeper understanding, appreciation and love for music and the world of jazz. Student performers are at the heart of what makes the Reno Jazz Festival a vibrant and enduring celebration of the art form.

Prior to the 2019 pandemic, this festival hosted approximately 300 school groups, 9,000 participants and 60 clinicians, professional musicians and educators.

Educational impact

The Festival will provide an intensive and immersive learning experience for participants. Students will have direct access to artist educators and guest artists. Each student performance group, whether a band, combo or choir, will receive personal feedback and coaching.

Equity

The Reno Jazz Festival embodies equity in terms of race, gender, socio-economic status and beyond. This value is the foundation of the selection of guest artists, educators, clinic topics and scholarships awarded. Together, we examine how jazz can support an equitable and just future.

Community

The Reno Jazz Festival is continuously building connections with the jazz community locally, nationally and internationally. The Festival strengthens connections between schools and identifies new ways to integrate into our local community.

Evolution

We are committed to supporting living artists and staying deeply connected to the evolving global landscape of music and creativity. The Festival aims to broaden participants’ artistic and cultural perspectives while equipping them with valuable skills for their ongoing musical journeys.