Manzanita Quintet from University of Nevada Reno’s Music Department Brings ‘Sensorial Experience’ to YTA

Manzanita Quintet at the Jeanne Dini Theater

From Bob Weiser, Pizen Switch Times Contributor

A rare gem was exposed Saturday night during the performance of the Manzanita Quintet at the Jeanne Dini Theater. Well, actually two gems, depending on your taste in music and beer!

The first was a delight to the ears and sensorial experience, the truly professional, totally engrossing, motivation for “head bobbing” and “hand clapping” instrumental music of five jazz musicians (professors and one grad student) from the Department of Music at UNR. Hans played the stand-up bass with gusto, carrying and expanding the foundational rhythm, Andy was a whirlwind of motion on percussion and “cymbalizing” with sensitivity, Chris on the tenor sax was amazing with his fluid fingering that instrument into almost unbelievably creative riffs on the melody, Josh on the trumpet was equally creative and expansive with his renditions and when playing together they were so tuned as to sound like one instrument! And then there was young Jordan on the electric guitar, doing his riffs on the frets like a “string strider” extraordinaire!

Altogether a treat of musical ability so rarely heard in our locale. To the small crowd attending, it was a brief moment of enjoyment and appreciation and for this event, kudos wholeheartedly to the YTA board for this offering and the staffers of the Speakeasy for stocking that equally great German Dark Lager! Bring ‘em back!

Yerington Theatre for the Arts provided the photographs with, “We had a BLAST with the Manzanita Quintet Saturday night! These guys put on a fantastic show. Thanks to everyone who came out and enjoyed!”