Rock ‘n’ Roll, R&B, The Blues… and all that Jazz!

Published July 24, 2026

Rock ‘n’ Roll, R&B, The Blues… and all that Jazz!

by Lee Weber Koch

Ahh, summertime in the Sierra. A time when the world lives to fully “UNPLUG” and “PLUG IN” to some of the finest talent in the West and beyond. And this summer is no exception for the Reno Jazz Orchestra, and all our peers in the world of entertainment, right here in our hometown.

From the crystal-clear shores of Lake Tahoe to the star-studded evenings in Reno, the Reno Jazz Orchestra is delighted to mirror the incredible talent that locals and visitors alike are spoiled with every summer in northern Nevada.

Time to Unplug and Plug In!

Here’s your teaser courtesy of our RJO Social Media Manager, Alana Liedholm: “So Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Mick Jagger, Tom Jones, Barry Manilow, and George Benson walk into a bar…”

Just kidding, this isn’t a setup for a punchline — but it IS a setup for four pleasurable evenings where you can hear tunes from all your favorite rockstars and jazz legends as the RJO presents A Jazz/Rock Odyssey (July 28, 2026 at Sand Harbor State Park and July 29, 2026 at Bartley Ranch Regional Park) and A Tribute to George Benson (August 23, 2026 at UNR’s Nightingale Concert Hall and August 24, 2026 at Sand Harbor State Park).

A Jazz/Rock Odyssey featuring Matt Mauser with Guest Performer Dave Murdy

It’s back-to-back entertainment for all ages, starting with A Jazz/Rock Odyssey as Sinatra crooner and America’s Got Talent finalist Matt Mauser returns to the stage with our 17-piece orchestra.

“From Frank Sinatra’s smooth swagger and Elvis’ rock ’n’ roll grooves, to Tom Jones’ and Mick Jagger’s powerhouse hits, Matt brings the music of these unforgettable artists to life through dynamic performances that entertain audiences across every generation,” said Greg Johnson, Music Director for the Reno Jazz Orchestra. 

Praised by members of Sinatra’s family for his aptitude in capturing the essence of Frank’s music and charisma, Matt also brings his own signature style to the stage. He infuses some of the most beloved songs from an iconic era with modern flair, while offering insight into the rich musical history behind each timeless tune. 

Sing along with us as our set list brings this sampling of tunes:

• All Shook Up – Elvis Presley arr. Greg Johnson
• Disco Inferno – LeRoy Green/Ron Kersey arr. Greg Johnson
• Volare – Domenico Modugno arr. Greg Johnson
• I've Got You Under My Skin – Cole Porter arr. Greg Johnson
• It's Not Unusual – Tom Jones/Les Reed
• The Way You Look Tonight – Jerome Kern/Dorothy Fields
• Beyond the Sea – Charles Trenet/Jack Lawrence
• More – Riz Ortolani/Nino Oliviero
• Mac the Knife – Kurt Weill/Bertolt Brecht
• Fools Rush In – Elvis Presley arr. Greg Johnson
• Jumpin’ Jack Flash – Mick Jagger/Keith Richards arr. Greg Johnson
• You May Be Right – Billy Joel arr. Greg Johnson
• Copacabana – Barry Manilow arr. Greg Johnson
• You'll Never Find – Lou Rawls arr. Greg Johnson
• Fireball – Pitbull arr. Greg Johnson
• My Way – Revaux/Thibaut/Francois

“There are very few entertainers who can traverse the vocal versatility terrain in the manner Matt Mauser can,” said Johnson. “A Jazz/Rock Odyssey” is exactly what the audience can expect and enjoy until the last note.”

Joining Matt and the RJO as a Guest Performer is Dave Murdy. Dave received his bachelor’s degree from U.S.C. in Jazz and Commercial Guitar. Today, he enjoys a very diverse musical career and has performed with a wide range of artists whose genres range from jazz to classical, pop, rock and country.

Dave was an original member of the highly successful pop/jazz band Kilauea. In addition to touring the county with Kilauea, Dave performed on four CDs, two of which went "Top 10" on the Billboard Music chart.

He has performed with jazz artists as varied as Art Davis, Brandon Fields, Eric Marienthal, Tony Guerrero, Bobby Shue, Warren Hill, and many others. Dave also performed with '60s pop stars Mel Carter and Jackie Deshannon.

A Tribute to George Benson featuring Colin Cook and Kyle Rae

Next on tap is A Tribute to George Benson with performances in Reno and at Lake Tahoe, celebrating the legendary guitarist and vocalist’s blend of jazz and R&B. Guitarist Colin Cook and one of Reno’s favorite vocalists, Kyle Rea, will join the Reno Jazz Orchestra for both concerts. 

The Reno performance is set for Sunday, August 23, 2026, at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nightingale Concert Hall. The Lake Tahoe concert is on Monday, August 24, 2026, at Sand Harbor State Park. 

George Benson, born March 22, 1943, is an American jazz fusion guitarist, singer, and songwriter who began performing professionally at age 10. A former child prodigy, he rose to prominence in the 1960s playing soul jazz with Jack McDuff and others before launching a solo career that spanned jazz, pop, R&B, and scat singing. His 1976 album Breezin’ was certified triple-platinum and reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

“Both concerts will feature big band classics, smooth grooves and iconic hits celebrating one of music’s most influential artists,” said Johnson. “Our set list highlights several of the songs that helped earn George Benson chart-topping success and widespread acclaim throughout his GRAMMY-winning career.”

This list includes:

• Breezin – Bobby Womack arr. Greg Johnson
• Feel Like Making Love – Roberta Flack arr. Greg Johnson
• On Broadway – Barry Mann/Cynthia Weil arr. Greg Johnson
• This Masquerade – Leon Russell arr. Greg Johnson
• Ready and Able – Jimmy Smith arr. Greg Johnson
• Give Me The Night – Rod Temperton arr. Greg Johnson
• Never Give Up On a Good Thing – Michael Garvin/Tom Shapiro arr. Greg Johnson
• Without a Song – Vincent Youmans
• Morning – Al Jarreau/David Foster/Jay Graydon arr. Greg Johnson
• How Long Has This Been Going On – George Gershwin arr. Greg Johnson
• Twisted Blues – Wes Montgomery
• Sugar – Stanley Turrentine arr. Bob Florence
• Ready Now That You Are – Frank Foster

Colin Cook, a Los Angeles-based guitarist, is a current member of the multi-Grammy-winning Stanley Clarke Band and is prominently featured on Clarke’s forthcoming 2026 album Last Train to Sanity. He has toured more than 20 countries, with appearances at the Newport Jazz Festival, the North Sea Jazz Festival, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and NPR’s Tiny Desk series. He is also an educator and instructor for the music-learning platform, Rocksmith.

Known for his powerful, soulful tenor and broad stylistic range, Kyle Rea studied opera, jazz and piano at UNR and leads the 25-piece Kyle Rea Orchestra. He has headlined concerts at Reno’s Artown Festival, performed at private events, and appears with the Reno Jazz Orchestra.

Since 1997, the Reno Jazz Orchestra has carried forward a legacy established by world-class musicians who performed with legends like Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and Luciano Pavarotti. Today, that tradition continues through top educators and performers connected to the University of Nevada, Reno, and throughout the West. 

Our mission at the Reno Jazz Orchestra is to create unforgettable big band experiences, from jazz classics to contemporary compositions and the Great American Songbook. Each season, outstanding guest artists join the Orchestra for performances that thrill, inspire, celebrate and fuel the future of the magic of jazz. 

Come unplug and plug in with us this summer!  Tickets and pre-reserved seats for all our concerts are available at RenoJazzOrchestra.org or by calling (775) 372-6160. 

Lee Weber Koch is the Marketing & Development Director for the Reno Jazz Orchestra and is filling in for our regular RJO Blogger, Chuck Reider. Throughout her career, she has embraced and promoted the arts through her marketing Company, Weber & Associates.

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