Summary
Hans Halt holds his Bachelor and Master degrees from University of Nevada, Reno and is a full time instructor of bass and jazz studies at the University. He is an integral part of the Program of Jazz and Improvisational Music, teaching all levels of jazz improvisation, jazz arranging, jazz composition and jazz keyboard techniques. He performs regularly with the University of Nevada, Reno jazz faculty group, the Collective, as well as with the Reno Philharmonic and the Reno Jazz Orchestra.
Mr. Halt began playing bass professionally over thirty years ago in Buffalo, NY. In 1980, Hans moved to the San Francisco Bay area gaining experience playing with top Bay Area musicians, including Mark Levine and Pete Escovedo. Since moving to the Reno-Tahoe area in 1985, Hans has been an active performer and composer with a variety of creative groups, including the Afro-Cuban jazz group No Comprende, The Ed Corey Trio (CD-Modal Citizen), and the University of Nevada, Reno’s jazz faculty, The Collective, (CD's- North, Boats, Balance, Once and Again). He also performs regularly with the Reno Philharmonic and the Reno Jazz Orchestra.
Mr. Halt has performed with numerous top jazz artists participating in the Reno Jazz Festival, including Peter Erskine, Bobby Hutcherson, Geri Allen, Fred Hersch, Lee Konitz, Ravi Coltrane, and Avishai Cohen and Joe Lovano. He has also performed with Performed with the following internationally acclaimed jazz artists: Ernie Watts, Eddie Daniels, Joe Pass, Bob Mintzer, Richie Cole, Cedar Walton, Peter Erskine, Jeff Watts. Joel Ross, Walter Smith III, Ralph Alessi. In June 2016, Mr. Halt organized a five day tour with acclaimed pianist Art Lande, and saxophonist Paul McCandless. In July 2016, he was a recipient of an Artist Fellowship grant from the Nevada Arts Council.
Mr. Halt is also an experienced clinician, having presented master classes and performances for the Reno Jazz Festival, Music Teachers National Association, The International Society of Basses, and Brigham Young University.
Recordings
- Osmosis, Manzanita Quintet, Origin Records, 2022
- Once and Again, The Collective, UNRJ Records, 2006
- Modal Citizen, Ed Corey Trio. 2005
- Balance, The Collective, UNRJ Records, 2004
- Boats, The Collective, UNRJ Records, 2002
- North, The Collective, UNRJ Records #COL-002, 2000
- Contemplation, The Reno Jazz Quintet, UNRJ Records, 1998
Courses taught
- University of Nevada, Reno, 1997-Present
- Applied Bass and piano
- Jazz Keyboard Techniques
- Jazz Improv
- Jazz Bass
- Jazz Combos
- Jazz Arranging
- Jazz Survey
- Lab Band Director
Education
- B.M Music Performance University of Nevada, Reno, 1998
- M.M Music Performance University of Nevada, Reno, 2001