'Up Tempo and Bennett/Gaga' Up Next for Jazz in the Park
07/16/24The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra's 50th Anniversary Jazz in the Park series continues on Sunday, July 21 with some great modern jazz charts including some up-tempo challenges.
The highlight of this show, says band director Greg Balfany, will be a presentation by band vocalists Tim Henke and Cathy Reitz of selections from the legendary collaboration of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga. This will include the songs “Anything Goes” and “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)” from their album "Cheek to Cheek." In addition, Amy Winehouse’s “Valerie” will be a program gem.
Other highlights of the July 21 concert include:
- National recording artist/saxophonist Andrew Neu contributes the contagious funk chart “Alpha Dog,” featuring the LJO's lead trumpeter Brent Turney.
- The band's jazz trumpet artist, Jon Ailabouni, and saxophonist Greg Balfany sail forth on Annie Booth’s evocative composition, “Jolly Beach.”
- Duke Ellington’s rarely performed classic, “Squatty Roo,” will feature several band members including tenor saxophonist Jeff Erickson.
The 2024 Jazz in the Park series runs weekly on Sunday evenings through August 4. The concerts are free and start at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Park Bandshell in La Crosse. The rain site for all Jazz in the Park concerts is the Cavalier Theater, 118 5th Ave. N., La Crosse.
Visit the LJO Events Calendar for more details on the 2024 Jazz in the Park and the Cappella Concert Series.
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.