The University of Nevada, Reno is celebrating more than 50 years of jazz and welcomes thousands of visitors to campus for the 54th Reno Jazz Festival, one of the largest events on campus. Events are held Thursday, April 28 through Saturday, April 30, and includes concerts, workshops and jazz clinics. Thousands of up-and-coming musicians from schools, colleges and universities around the Westerns states will participate. 

The festival, administered by Extended Studies, acts as an inspiration, an educational opportunity and showcase for some of the country's most promising and talented middle school, high school and college-age musicians.

"As one of the world's largest and longest-running celebrations of jazz, the Reno Jazz Festival inspires young musicians to share in the vibrant exchange of creative ideas, skills and academic excellence while being apart of this prestigious festival community," Chris Money, School of the Arts assistant director of programming and marketing and assistant director and coordinator of the Festival, said. 

Much history lies within the jazz community as students, school directors, adjudicators and clinicians return year after year to participate, learn, teach and develop their art. Jazz icons, stars and renowned players have gained much of their foundation at this festival. This year's event hosts notable adjudicator and clinicians spanning from university alumni jazz musicians to award-winning jazz vocalists. In addition, there are more than 120 high schools and colleges from across the nation participating. 

Purchase individual concert tickets or festival passes today. Contact Money at cmoney@unr.edu for any questions.

Events during the 54th Annual Reno Jazz Festival 

Lage Lund with The Collective-Thursday, April 28, 2016 
7:30 p.m., Nightingale Concert Hall
Lage Lund is acclaimed not only as one of the finest guitarists of his generation, but also as one of the most compelling current jazz artists in the world. He is "all music and all soul", according to Russell Malone, one of the judges who awarded Lund the top prize in the 2005 Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition. Armed with a mastery of the standard repertoire and a growing body of original compositions, Lund swings with great authority, displaying a staggering harmonic sophistication and a singularly fluid voice as a soloist. He also brings a "casually magnetic" presence to the stage, "channeling reticence into a whisper-quiet mystique" (The New York Times).

For more about Lage Lund, visit www.lage-lund.com.

Snarky Puppy UNR Jazz Lab Big Band-Friday, April 29, 2016
7:30 p.m., Lawlor Events Center
Grammy Award-winning Snarky Puppy is truly a different kind of musical animal. The once Texan, now New York-based quasi-collective has gone from the best-kept secret to one of the most respected names in instrumental music. Although still "underground" in many respects, the band has earned high praise from critical stalwarts such as the BBC, The Village Voice, The Guardian, and Boston Herald, and has performed at some of the best venues and festivals in Asia, Europe, Australia and North America.

Festival Showcase and Awards Ceremony-Saturday, April 30, 2016
6:30 p.m., Lawlor Events Center
The Festival Showcase will feature a performance by the winners of the RJF All-Star Performers competition, and encore performances from some of the highest-rated groups and soloists in the festival. During the showcase performances, awards will be given in recognition of individuals and groups who place in the top five of each category (top eight for middle school bands).

The Festival Showcase and Awards Ceremony concert is included in the Jazz Fan, Full Festival and Saturday Passes. Visit the purchase page for options in buying individual concert tickets and for more information.

Clinics
The Reno Jazz Festival has expanded its commitment to providing educational opportunities during the festival. Clinics will cover topics including instrumental and vocal performance, jazz arranging and improvisation. Festival passes are required. View or download the 2016 Clinic Schedule.