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!”
Bob Weiser is a native of Texas and grew up on a farm near Giddings. Bob attended universities in Austin, Texas; Chicago, Illinois and Reno, Nevada, graduating with a Masters of Science degree in Secondary Education from University of Nevada, Reno while raising a family with his wife Betty and working in construction as a mason.
Mr. Weiser taught at UNR, TMCC (Truckee Meadows Community College), Galena High School and The Regional Technical Institute, retiring from teaching in 2003. He was a state licensed specialty contractor in masonry, completing many projects in Northern Nevada including Yerington after moving here from Sparks in 2004.
“Pastor Bob” was also a certified minister in the Methodist church, serving congregations in Yerington and Smith Valley until his retirement in 2019.
Other than writing as an art form, Bob enjoys singing with the Mason Valley Singers and has performed roles in “The Sound of Music” and “The Nutcracker” at the Jeanne Dini Theater.
Bob and Betty reside south of Yerington near the East Walker River on their micro farm of three acres, raising beef and veggies and keeping bees for honey while enjoying the peace and quiet in that area of Mason Valley.
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