Our Educational Efforts

For the Love of Jazz was founded in 1974 partly to give young musicians somewhere to learn this music and somebody to learn it from. That has taken different forms over fifty years, and it is worth being straight about where it stands now.

What is happening now

The most substantial work with young jazz musicians in this region is being done by the Reno Jazz Orchestra, through its youth orchestra and its programmes in schools. If you are a student looking for somewhere to play, or a parent looking for somewhere to send one, that is where we would point you first.

We work alongside them rather than in competition with them. A scene this size is better served by one strong youth programme than by two thin ones.

Instruments

We take donated instruments, have them repaired where they need it, and put them in the hands of students who would not otherwise have one. A horn in a cupboard is worth nothing; the same horn in a student's hands is worth a great deal.

If you have an instrument you no longer play, write to us at info@renojazz.org.

Scholarships

We have offered scholarships to students pursuing jazz, and we intend to again. Nothing has been awarded since 2019, and rather than leave an application form up for something that is not currently running, we would rather say so.

If you are a student in need of support, write to us anyway. We would rather hear from you and find something than have you assume there is nothing.

Playing with other people

Our weekly jam is at Lo-Bar Social, which is strictly 21 and over. That rules out exactly the musicians this organisation was founded to help, and we know it.

If you are under 21 and want somewhere to play, write to info@renojazz.org. We will tell you what is happening that you can get into, and put you in touch with people worth knowing. It is a small scene and the older players are, almost without exception, generous with their time.

Teachers and parents

If you teach music in a northern Nevada school and there is something we could usefully do — a player to visit, an instrument, an audience for your students — ask. We are a small organisation and cannot promise everything, but we would rather be asked.