A Tribute to George Benson with the Reno Jazz Orchestra
August 23 @ 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
The Reno Jazz Orchestra will present “A Tribute to George Benson” this summer 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 vocalist Kyle Rea will join the Reno Jazz Orchestra for both concerts.
The Reno performance is set for 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Nightingale Concert Hall. The Lake Tahoe concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, at Sand Harbor State Park. Tickets and pre-reserved seats are available at RenoJazzOrchestra.org or by calling 775-372-6160.
“Both concerts will feature big band classics, smooth grooves and iconic hits celebrating one of music’s most influential artists,” said Dr. Greg Johnson, music director of the Reno Jazz Orchestra. “Our set list highlights several of the songs that helped earn George Benson chart-topping success and widespread acclaim throughout his GRAMMY-winning career, including Breezin,’ Give Me the Night, This Masquerade, Feel Like Makin’ Love, and Never Give Up on a Good Thing.”
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.
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, 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 appeared with the Reno Jazz Orchestra
Founded in 1997, the Reno Jazz Orchestra continues a legacy shaped by world-class musicians who performed with artists including Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley and Luciano Pavarotti. Today, its roster features leading educators and performers connected to the University of Nevada, Reno, and across the West. The orchestra’s mission is to create unforgettable big band experiences spanning jazz classics, contemporary works and the Great American Songbook, featuring outstanding guest artists each season.
