LJO Embarks On an "I-95 Top to Bottom" East Coast Adventure on July 23
07/18/23Jazz in the Park with the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra arrives on the East Coast this week and explores the music along the I-95 corridor.
The band kicks off their journey with the music of legendary bandleader and composer, Duke Ellington. His theme song “Take the A Train” sets the mood for this park chair excursion, says Greg Balfany, LJO bandleader. Duke’s “In A Mellow Tone” features the saxophone section and others.
Other highlights:
- Trumpeter Jon Ailabouni burns through NYC studio virtuoso Marvin Stamm’s version of “My Secret Love.”
- Rough-and-tumble composer and bassist Charles Mingus gives the band his raucous version of “Haitian Fight Song.” The selection will feature several soloists including Mark Glasel (trombone) and Greg Balfany (saxophone).
- Long-time LJO featured vocalist Tim Henke takes the audience to New York, New Jersey and Miami with selections from Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé. Tim’s repertoire includes Bublé’s “Call Me Irresponsible” and Sinatra’s “For Once In My Life,” plus Joe Williams’ “Nice and Easy.”
- The program wraps up with an offering from Blood Sweat and Tears.
The concert starts at 7 p.m. on Sunday, July 23, at Riverside Park in downtown La Crosse.
Looking ahead, the 2023 Jazz in the Park series concludes on Sunday, July 30 with “Wisconsin Friends and Family” featuring guest artist Steve March-Tormé.
Concerts are free for all and suitable for the whole family.
The rain site for all LJO Jazz in the Park concerts is the Cappella Performing Arts Center, 721 King St., La Crosse.
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.
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