Free Genesis Jazz Orchestra Concert
The Genesis Jazz Orchestra (GJO) will play a free, family-friendly concert on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. in the beautiful and iconic Lake Harriet Bandshell located at 4135 West Lake Harriet Boulevard in Minneapolis. The concert, which is part of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board’s Free Music & Movies in the Parks events, will feature guest vocal soloist Bekah Peterson and trumpet soloist Riley Helgeson.
GJO will be performing an eclectic musical program originating from famous jazz musical legends: Duke Ellington, Maynard Ferguson, Doc Severinsen, Buddy Rich, Wayne Shorter, Fats Domino, Charles Mingus and Woody Herman, as well as local composers LA Buckner and Jack Schabert.
The GJO, a 17-piece ensemble of the Rosemount Community Band, was established in 2018 by members from the southeast metro area. Over half of its members have degrees in music, some play professionally and many are current or retired music educators, including Steve Olsen, John Zschunke, David Mendenhall, Conrad Miska and Bill Henry, all retired band directors from Independent School District 196 - Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan.
In addition to performing in the Rosemount community, GJO plays at school jazz concerts and festivals, at Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis and at city band shells and parks. Notable performances include playing the opening concert for the Minnesota Orchestra at the Hilde Performance Center in Plymouth, a concert with Broadway star vocalist Laura Osnes, a show at Mears Park in downtown St. Paul and a performance for the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Conference in Minneapolis. The ensemble was also featured on the "Twin Cities Weekend" radio program of KBEM-FM (88.5 FM) Minneapolis, Minnesota's Jazz Station.
GJO's Band Leader is Dave Hagedorn, a retired Artist in Residence at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he taught percussion, jazz studies, world music, and led the award-winning St. Olaf Jazz I ensemble.
