Reno Jazz Orchestra Presents 'You Can't Beat This' Concert with Aaron Serfaty
The Reno Jazz Orchestra, with guest artist Aaron Serfaty will present its “You Can’t Beat This” concert on February 8, 2025, at 7:30 pm at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nightingale Concert Hall. The concert will fuse traditional Venezuelan music with the improvisational spirit of big band jazz.
“From the vibrant sounds of the cuatro and maracas to the soulful melodies of the saxophone and piano, this performance promises to be an unforgettable celebration of music and culture,” said Dr. Greg Johnson, Music Director for the Reno Jazz Orchestra. “Joining our 17-piece Orchestra is Aaron Serfaty who is a world-recognized virtuoso drummer, percussionist and educator. We are excited and honored to bring this level of talent to the stage in Northern Nevada.”
The program for “You Can’t Beat This” includes full big-band arrangements of Mambo Inn, Otono,
You Gotta Try, Darn That Dream, Children's Games, What is This Thing Called Love, Grito de Kansas City
Night in Tunisia and many other vibrant big band sounds with a Venezuelan twist.
Tickets are $10 for students, and adult pre-reserved seats are priced at $25 - $50. They can be purchased through the non-profit organization’s website at RenoJazzOrchestra.org.
Serfaty’s career boasts global performances with accomplished artists Franco De Vita, Soledad Bravo, Frank Quintero, Ilan Chester, Carlos Mata and El Trabuco Venezolano. Serfaty has played, toured, and/or recorded with the L.A. Philharmonic Orchestra, Roberta Gambarini, Kristin Korb, Catina de Luna/Otmaro Ruiz's Lado B, Sergio Mendes, Dori Caymmi, Frank Gambale and Oscar Hernandez, among many others.
Serfaty’s tours have included Arturo Sandoval’s European, Asian and Latin American tours between 1991 and 1996, and Australian tour in 1997. In addition, Serfaty has toured with Jon Anderson’s 1993 Latin American tour, Larry Williams’ Japan tour in 2003 and Shelly Berg with the Orquesta Sinfonica Simon Bolivar in Caracas 2009.
Serfaty has also presented clinics and master classes at the Lima Jazz Festival in Peru, First Latin American Drummers Festival in Caracas, Venezuela, French Polynesia Conservatory of Music in Papeete, Tahiti, Conservatorium Van Amsterdam and Amherst College.
As a teacher he has taught at Los Angeles College of Music (1997-2014), at The California Institute of the Arts (2000-2014), and is currently on faculty at the University of Southern California (1997-present) where he conducts the Latin Jazz Ensemble, teaches drum set, and a Latin Percussion class.
About Dr. Greg Johnson, RJO Music Director
Dr. Greg Johnson is quickly becoming recognized as an important voice in the jazz community. His distinctive saxophone sound and compositional style has found their way into multiple genres of Jazz, Classical and Popular music.
As a saxophonist, Johnson has appeared in concert and on over 40 mainstream recordings with jazz legends Curtis Fuller, Billy Taylor, Bob Mintzer and many more. He has toured and performed with notable Pop and Rock acts such as Saint Motel, Robin Thicke and Barry Manilow, Skip Martin, The Spinners, The O'Jays, Eddie Holman and Jim Peterik, at some of the biggest venues and festivals in the world.
Serving as Assistant Professor of Jazz Studies at Sacramento State, Johnson has previously held positions at the University of Southern California, Marin School of the Arts and California State University Stanislaus. He has released ten recordings under his name and has contributed dozens more. His recent work has appeared on the GRAMMY ballot in six categories for his albums "Philosopher's Path" and "Visions of Kansas City."
About the Reno Jazz Orchestra
The Reno Jazz Orchestra has been based in Northern Nevada for over 25 years and was formed by musicians who performed and traveled the world with acts such as Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Elvis Presley, Natalie Cole, Luciano Pavarotti and other legendary performers. The tradition of jazz excellence set by the founders continues today with jazz professors, educators and graduates from the University of Nevada, Reno, jazz studies program setting new performance standards.
The organization also includes the Reno Youth Jazz Orchestra (RYJO) which was established in 2006. Its mission is to assemble, by audition, the top middle and high school jazz talent in the Reno-Sparks-Carson-Tahoe communities to provide opportunities for performance, preservation, appreciation, and study of jazz.
The EL Cord Foundation, Nevada Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts, Art Works, Thunder Vick & Co., Tanglewood Productions, City of Reno, Absolute Music, Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation, J Resort and the RJO Circle of Friends, Band Partners and Band Fans support the Reno Jazz Orchestra.
Event Links
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2832070-0
