Celebration of Lives in Music

Published August 22, 2025

Celebration of Lives in Music

Last weekend the Reno Jazz Orchestra (RJO) celebrated what would have been Donny Hathaway’s 80^th birthday. It was a one-of-a-kind event with vocalist Cliff Porter thrilling the audience backed by the RJO, an 11-piece string section (a first for the RJO) and four background singers. Joining us was Donnita Hathaway, Donny’s youngest daughter, who spoke to her father’s talents and his mental illness that drove him to suicide, which inspired her to create the Donny Hathaway Legacy Foundation. The ensemble recreated the magic of Donny’s music in a whole new setting. Those attending gave several standing ovations in response.

Another concert held on September 13 at the Pioneer Theater honored Jim and Mary Ann Kidder. Five performing arts organizations came together to recognize their generous contributions to northern Nevada’s cultural life. This event was in lieu of a memorial service for Jim, who passed away on July 30.

Chuck Alvey opened with remarks followed by Dancin’ directed by Amanda Coulson who choreographed the music of New York New York. The Reno Chamber Orchestra took to the stage with Kelly Kuo, conductor performing Duke Ellington’s Blue Pepper and Caravan written for chamber orchestra. The Reno Philharmonic conducted by Laura Jackson performed Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird: Berceuse and Finale as well as Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations: Nimrod. The Reno Jazz Orchestra closed the afternoon concert. Directed by Gary Mayne, the RJO performed Duke Ellington’s Circle of Fourths, Stan Kenton’s arrangement of Street of Dreams, and ending with Bill Pott’s arrangement of Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way. Mary Bennett of Brüka Theatre joined the RJO on Circle of Fourths to read an excerpt from Shakespeare’s Sonnet 128.

Representatives from each organization spoke to the passion and support of the Kidders. I had the honor of speaking for the RJO. I first met Jim in the early years of the RJO about 1998 when we performed the music of Stan Kenton. Jim, an avid Kenton fan, introduced himself and shortly after asked to join our board. We welcomed him and what started as a business relationship soon became a lasting friendship. Not just between him and me, but Mary Ann and my wife Candy as well. After stepping down from the board he created an advisory board of community members who provided insight and opportunities to grow our organization. He always held these meetings at Harrah’s Steakhouse where he also hosted an advisory board for the Reno Chamber Orchestra. Jim loved that restaurant!

I noted what I called, Kidder Moments, great suggestions for future concerts. The first was Duke Ellington’s suite Such Sweet Thunder – a suite inspired by the works of William Shakespeare. I quickly found out only a few of the twelve pieces were published. Undaunted Jim contacted the Ellington estate which did not have the material and next to the Library of Congress, where they had sketch scores of the remaining pieces. They mailed them to Jim and I handed them over to Hans Halt to perform music “forensics” and he recreated all the missing pieces. The Kidder moment did not end there. He thought it would be great if Shakespearean actors could recite a brief excerpt from each work that inspired each movement of the suite. Again, Jim went to work and collected twelve excerpts, one for each piece. The result is, I believe, the only concert of Such Sweet Thunder with both music and actors ever performed in the country. The second was The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess. Jim asked me if I had heard this album arranged by Bill Potts. I said no and quickly checked it out. Great music and arrangements, but not enough for a concert.

Again, we went back to work and watched a DVD of the opera. We noticed immediately the jazz inspiration but also a strong gospel component, so, I enlisted Hans Halt to recreate pieces from several different artists, for example, Miles Davis. Bill Hecht added gospel arrangements and the result was the RJO’s The Jazz Soul of Porgy and Bess which included Pat Esters as Bess and Maurice Allen as Porgy as well as a small gospel choir. It is still one of my great musical experiences. During the preparation of this program Jim mentioned several times that he would like the last piece be played at his memorial. In the opera Porgy is off to New York City to rescue his Bess. The tune, Oh Lawd, I’m On My Way. I miss Jim and all I can do is quote Duke Ellington: Jim and Mary Ann, we love you madly.

The RJO Quintessence series begins December 7 with our holiday show Home for the Holidays featuring guest vocalists Cami Thompson and Kyle Rea. Trumpet master Mike Rocha joins us March 8 and our Mother’s Day concert, An Afternoon of Romance on May 10, will feature featuring vocalist Nicolas Bearde. Put these dates on your calendar and look for more info on our website.