Letter: A much deserved ‘thank you’

With the recent announcement of JazzFest 2017 and the special artists to be performing along with this community’s incredible talent, I was nudged to write this letter of thank you. Recently, I had the privilege of spending the better part of an afternoon with Robert Joyce, executive director of the Jazz and Blues Society. This was an opportunity offered by Ollie Life Long Learning Institute. The focus of the afternoon was the history of jazz and the great artists responsible for the evolution of the music to what it is today. Joyce not only brought the music to life, but many of the artists’ lives, which was a bonus to the afternoon.

As a citizen of this extraordinary community and having attended many years from the first to what is this year to be the 26th year celebration, one of many gifts to us is Robert Joyce and his vision and hard work and alongside of him, many volunteers and sponsors, all of whom have made it possible to offer this huge gift to us free from day one.

Thank you to Joyce for the gift of you and the music that you, along with many others have brought to us each year at Yankton Trail Park. I am personally extremely grateful.