A Tribute to Ella and Favorites of the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra
07/25/24The third concert in the LJO's 2024 Jazz in the Park series pays tribute to legendary vocalist Ella Fitzgerald.
Jazz singer Cathy Reitz has put together a program featuring five of her most popular selections. They include “Goody Goody,” “All The Things You Are,” perennial favorite “Caravan” and more.
The free concert starts at 7 p.m., Sunday, July 28 in Riverside Park in La Crosse.
The concert also features several selections that have become audience and band favorites:
- The Clayton/Hamilton big band version of “Night Train” will feature several band soloists including trumpeter Jon Ailabouni and pianist Larry Price.
- Band leader Greg Balfany will hold forth on Count Basie’s beautiful Quincy Jones arrangement of “What Kind Of Fool Am I.”
- Woody Herman is represented with his hard-driving version of “It Don’t Mean A Thing” featuring several performers including baritone saxophonist Jeff Reitz.
This is the third of four free outdoor concerts marking the 50th anniversary of Jazz in the Park concerts with the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra. The 2024 Jazz in the Park season concludes on Sunday, August 4, with guest vocalist Deborah Brown and the best of European big bands.
Jazz in the Park concerts are free and start at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Park Bandshell in La Crosse. The rain and/or heat site is the Cavalier Theater, 118 5th Ave. N., La Crosse.
Visit the LJO Events Calendar for the complete 2024 concert schedule.
ABOUT THE BAND
The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra is Western Wisconsin's premier big band. Directed by Greg Balfany, the group is best known through its Jazz in the Park concert series. The LJO mission: to promote, preserve and forward the creation of jazz music through free live performances available to all in our region. LJO operates under fiscal sponsorship from La Crosse Community Foundation.