Campus Connection

The Gertrude Salzer-Gordon Jazz in the Park 2013 Concert Series swings into Riverside Park Sunday, June 16. The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra will present a mix of contemporary and traditional big band jazz selections throughout four performances. The kick-off guest artist June 16 is Eau Claire vocalist and actress Cathy Reitz. The concert features Reitz singing Julie London’s “Black Coffee,” Natalie Cole’s “L-O-V-E,” Ella Fitzgerald’s “Cheek to Cheek” and more. Also, alto saxophonist Harry Hindson and baritone sax player Jeff Reitz are featured on Duke Ellington’s “I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart.” The music of Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Gordon Goodwin are also in the repertoire. The complete free concert series includes:

• June 16 - 7 p.m. Riverside Park The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra and vocalist Cathy Reitz (Rain site is Cavalier Theater, 5th and State)
• June 23 – 7 p.m. Riverside Park The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra and vocalist Tim Henke (Rain site is Cavalier Theater, 5th and State)
• July 12 – 7 p.m. 100 block of King Street in front of Pump House, Piggy’s and Wine Guyz The Downtown Street Jazz with the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra singers and dance instructors (Rain site is Cavalier Theater, 5th and State)
• July 21 – 5 p.m. Riverside Park The Riverside Jazz Party with the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, guest groups and internationally acclaimed trumpeter and Broadway actor and singer Byron Stripling

The La Crosse Jazz Orchestra, directed by UW-L Music Professor Greg Balfany, is Western Wisconsin's only jazz repertory orchestra and was formed in 1972 to perform "Jazz On A Sunday Afternoon" for the Great River Festival of the Arts Summer Concert Series. The band has continued that tradition and during the last decade has assumed a much larger role performing concert, dance, and festival series throughout the Coulee Region and at jazz festivals both locally and elsewhere. The band has backed up such luminaries as Bob Hope, Melissa Manchester, Randy Brecker, Frank Wess, Red Skelton, Red Holloway, Ed Shaughnessy, Bob Mintzer, Curtis Fuller, Kurt Elling, Bobbi Wilson, Sunny Wilkenson and Clark Terry. For more information check out www.lacrossejazzorchestra.com