From the SouthtownStar:

Hundreds soothed by jazzy sounds in Olympia Fields

By Susan DeMar Lafferty

Stormy weather gave way to a warm humid Sunday afternoon, but the sounds from under the large white tent in Olympia Fields Bicentennial Park were cool and crisp.

A few hundred folks let the music take control of the day as they tuned in to hear N2oon, Shaun Johnson Quintet and pianist Willie Pickens at the annual Jazz in the Park for Charity, co-hosted by state Rep. Al Riley (D-Hazel Crest) and the village of Olympia Fields.

“We want to show people there are lights south of I-80,” said Riley. “This is one way to show off what we have.”

Riley took over sponsorship of the popular event three years ago.

It was founded in 1999 by Lois and Martin Anthonisen, who welcomed more than 600 jazz friends to their back yard in Flossmoor.

“It was my husband’s idea to honor local charities,” Lois Anthonisen said. “It started big and we hoped it would go on.”

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