Save the Dates! 2020 Jazz in the Park Season Announced
02/14/20UPDATE: The 2020 Jazz in the Park outdoor concert season is canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More info plus news about our upcoming live streaming concert
The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra (LJO) has announced its 2020 Jazz in the Park Sunday evening concert schedule.
“This season we have a wonderful array of talent appearing with the band including international jazz star, the vocalist Deborah Brown,” says LJO director Greg Balfany. “Deborah has appeared at every major jazz festival in the United States, Europe and Asia.”
Brown will perform at the Jazz in the Park season finale on Aug. 2. The season kicks off July 12 with guest vocalists Cathy Reitz and Tim Henke. Vocalist Lexi Lakmann, a La Crosse native, will be the guest artist at the July 19 concert. Trumpeter Brent Turney, known for his work with Tony Bennett and Maynard Ferguson, among others, is the guest artist on July 26.
New this year: Concerts will be held on four consecutive Sundays, making attendance easier to plan. In addition, after a year of construction, the new Riverside Park bandshell roof will be completed for the 2020 season.
“We are excited to be appearing on the greatly improved Riverside Park bandstand,” says Greg Balfany, LJO director. “I know you will hear the difference, and the musicians will be able to hear each other which is a real win-win. New seating too – no more slivers!”
All concerts are held at Riverside Park in La Crosse. Rain site is the Cavalier Theater, 118 5th Avenue, La Crosse. Concerts start at 7 p.m., except for the Aug. 2 show which starts at 6 p.m. for an opening performance by the Coulee Region High School Jazz All-Stars. All in all, it adds up to what promises to be another memorable season of free live jazz in La Crosse.
“We have presented over 200 concerts over the past five decades, and our community has been able to hear many of the finest jazz artists in the world along with the best our region has to offer,” Balfany says.
The LJO will also play at Moon Tunes at Riverside Park again this summer. This year they’ll be joined by vocalist and American Idol finalist Reed Grimm Thursday, June 18. That show starts at 5 p.m.
LJO 2020 CONCERT SCHEDULE
- Thursday, June 18 – Moon Tunes with guest artist Reed Grimm
- Sunday, July 12 – Jazz in the Park with guest artists Cathy Reitz and Tim Henke
- Sunday, July 19 – Jazz in the Park with guest artist Lexie Lakmann
- Sunday, July 26 – Jazz in the Park with guest artist Brent Turney
- Sunday, Aug. 2 – Jazz in the Park with guest artists Deborah Brown and the Coulee Region High School Jazz All-Stars
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.