Biography

Hailed as a pianist "in the league of Carnegie Hall," a "rising star" whose playing is "lush, sensual and colorful: like a painting" (Sulzbach-Rosenberger, Germany), a “powerhouse” (Victor Forman, CPR), and one who possesses an "extraordinary skill" (D. Frantztreb, SCC), Jennifer Reason is a vibrant young performer in consistent demand, and the recipient of Sacramento Business Journal's Top 40 Under 40 Award for 2016. She gave her first solo recital at the age of 5, and had acquired her first Staff Pianist position by the tender age of 12. She has since gone on to appear in solo and ensemble performances across 15 states and 14 countries, including such prestigious venues as Carnegie Hall, the Vatican, and the Liszt Academy in Prague. Festival appearances include the Festival of Peace and Brotherhood in Italy, the Interharmony International festival in Germany, the Schlern International Festival in Italy, the Music and More Summerfest in Bosnia, and the Orfeo International Festival in Italy. 

Dearest to Ms. Reason’s heart is collaborative work, and as such she is a founding member of the 15 year old contemporary sextet Citywater, currently Ensemble-in-Residence at CSU Sacramento (www.citywatermusic.com) and the recently appointed Music Director of the Rogue Music Project, a music collective formed to challenge current perceptions of opera through unpredictable, adventurous, and socially conscious performances. (www.roguemusicproject.com). She has recently concluded her eight year tenure as the Artistic Director of RSVP, an acapella group that sings to raise money for local charities (www.rsvpchoir.org), during which time they were nominated for an Emmy. She has shared the stage with such noteworthy artists/personalities as John Rutter, members of Journey, Tower of Power, Santana, and Sly and the Family Stone, Governor Jerry Brown and Billy Bob Thornton. 

Ms. Reason also enjoys working with musical theater companies such as Broadway SF and Broadway Sacramento, and as Music Director for staged productions-including the world premiere of Max Understood in San Francisco and the Bay Area premiere/adaptation of Shakespeare In Love.

Away from the concert hall, Ms. Reason is the Midday Classical Host and Local Music Manager for Capital Public Radio (www.capradio.org/music), a District Advocate to Congress on behalf of professional musicians, Advisor to the Recording Academy Board of Directors, SF Chapter and a Voting Member of the Recording Academy for the Grammys.  Her students have been accepted on scholarship to collegiate music programs such as the Hartt School of Music, University of North Texas, CSU Long Beach, UCDavis, UCLA, UC Irvine, UC San Diego, CSU - Sacramento, Oregon State University, William Jessup University and Cosumnes River College, and include a Grammy winner.