Time for Another Holly Jolly (Jazzy!) Christmas with the LJO
11/17/23Holiday jazz by the La Crosse Jazz Orchestra is back for a second year.
“A Holly Jolly (Jazzy!) Christmas II” will be performed on Friday, Dec. 8 and Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Cappella Performing Arts Center, 721 King St., La Crosse.
"The band is really ready to rock Christmas for two nights with some of the most beautiful and hippest Christmas jazz arrangements," says LJO director Greg Balfany.
"The concert will feature great Yule time arrangements including The Nutcracker Suite," he says. "The whole band will sparkle on Hollywood writer Gordon Goodwin’s version of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' and Stan Kenton’s 'Angels We Have Heard On High.'
Sensational St. Paul jazz vocalist Debbie O’Keefe returns for a second year with her distinctive blend of holiday music."
New selections this year include the Lou Rawls version of “Merry Christmas Baby” and an intimate duo with keyboardist Laura Caviani on “Count Your Blessings.”
LJO vocalist Tim Henke will again present “White Christmas” and perform a special duet version of “That Holiday Feeling" with O'Keefe.
Twin Cities pianist Laura Cavianni and Madison lead trumpet virtuoso Jon Schipper will be featured respectively a West-Coast jazz version of “O Christmas Tree” and “O Holy Night.”
“Kleenex recommended," Balfany says.
The concert is second in the LJO's Cappella Center’s Jazz Concert Series and will also include the best holiday arrangements from Gordon Goodwin, Brian Stetzer, Stan Kenton, Count Basie, Tom Kubis and many others.
The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023 at the Cappella Performing Arts Center, 721 King St. in La Crosse. There are three ways to purchase tickets:
- On the Cappella website
- Call the Cappella box office at (608) 299-7248
- In person at the box office at 721 King St., La Crosse – hours are Monday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.
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.