Sharing the Joy of Jazz with La Crosse Tribune Readers
06/30/22The June 27 edition of the La Crosse Tribune featured an interview with La Crosse Jazz Orchestra bandleader Greg Balfany.
Headlined "Sharing the Joy of Jazz," the front-page article is part of the daily newspaper's "Good Works" series. Published in partnership with the La Crosse Community Foundation, the Good Works series features "individuals who help keep our community nonprofit organizations running, sharing what keeps them going, occasional insights into their lives outside work and what inspires them to continue serving others," according to the newspaper.
Among other things, the paper asked Balfany about his favorite music and composers, and the famous musical artist he'd most like to tour with. They also asked about his biggest wish for the LJO.
"I wish for the LJO to have continued success, to expand their series to include live indoor winter events," Balfany said. "The band can still reach more people and provide educational service to younger musicians. We would like to expand our services to aid the jazz component of music education. We have many music educators among our membership but would love to have direct contact with their and other younger student musicians. Another aspect that we could expand into is assisting the return of a jazz festival to La Crosse. The interest is here, but the structure and funding still await a leader to head up that project."
The LJO's 2022 Jazz in the Park series opens on July 10 and continues every Sunday through July 31 at Riverside Park in La Crosse. All concerts are free and start at 7 p.m.
Read the full article on the Tribune website
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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