Jingle bell jazz

In the rush to get everything crossed off the Christmas list (along with thousands of other harried and hurried people), it’s understandable why we often gripe and grumble about the holiday season. But if you find yourself turning into The Grinch, perhaps a few holiday tunes will warm your heart. The Reno Jazz Orchestra will present its annual Christmas concert featuring guest artists Jim Martinez and Cami Thompson. Pianist Martinez has opened the All-Star Night at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival eight years in a row and has performed and recorded with artists such as Si Zentner, Lionel Hampton, Ed Thigpen of the Oscar Peterson Trio and many other jazz musicians. He’s released eight albums on his Invisible Touch Music label, including his latest album, Music for Your Soul, the third in a series of CDs in which he translates church hymns into jazz renditions. Jazz singer Cami Thompson began her singing career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where she studied music and sang in the Nevada Opera Company chorus under the direction of the late Ted Puffer. She has performed in productions around the world, and she often headlines local shows. The concert begins 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 at the Sands Regency, 345 N. Arlington Ave. Tickets are $15-$25. Call 323-5443. —Kelley Lang