>La Grande Observer | Union and Wallowa Counties' News Leader

GUEST PERFORMER: Saxophone player Greg Johnson rehearses this morning with La Grande High School students for Thursday’s Band Box Jam. Johnson will be the guest performer at Thursday’s concert. LHS senior Martha McAlister is on the right. - The Observer/DICK MASON

The students’ talents will emerge at the annual Band Box Jam jazz concert that starts at 6:30 p.m. in the La Grande Middle School commons.

The concert will also spotlight an adult performer of note and inspiration. Saxophone player Greg Johnson of La Grande will be the guest artist.

Johnson’s story is remarkable and unconventional, one he does not draw attention to. Musicians who know it, though, enjoy sharing it.

Johnson grew up in Gladstone where his musical skills were honed by high school band teacher Dave Parker, who now teaches at the University of Portland. LHS band teacher Jim Howell met Parker on April 10 at the University of Portland. Parker asked Howell about Johnson.

“He told me that Greg was the best student he had in 38 years of teaching,’’ Howell said.

After graduating from Gladstone High School in 1986, Johnson attended the University of North Texas, which has a legendary jazz department. Johnson graduated from North Texas in 1990 with a jazz studies degree.

He moved to the Grande Ronde Valley in 1997 and stopped playing the saxophone for six years because he had nobody to play with. He started again four years ago after local musician Al MacLeod asked him to perform with him. Johnson jumped at the chance, since not playing had been “killing me.’’

“He (Al MacLeod) sort of saved me,’’ said Johnson, the owner of Benjamin Brown Books & Billiards.

The saxophonist has continued performing since then and now regularly plays with Sweet Medicine, one of MacLeod’s bands.

Howell applauds Johnson’s re-entry into the music world.

“I feel strongly that it is not the right thing to do when you are that good, to put your instrument away,’’ Howell said.

Howell can relate. Howell grew up playing the trombone and then stopped playing for 12 years before starting up again. Howell so enjoyed playing again that he changed his career course and became a successful band teacher.

His bands have won many honors during his 21 years at LHS, including state championships in 2007 and 2001.

Howell will help direct Thursday’s Band Box Jam. Admission is $1 and will cover the cost of desserts and other refreshments.

There will also be a silent auction and a regular auction, one which will feature many fancy desserts people can bid on. Imbler School District Superintendent Doug Hislop will be the auctioneer.

The event is a fundraiser for the LHS and LMS band programs.