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WINONA, Minn. — Saint Mary’s University jazz students played it forward to help raise more than $1,000 in two recent events as part of the Café Congo series at First Congregational Church in Winona.

The jazz students played on March 13 and raised more than $400 that will be donated to help children with ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). A-T is a rare, incurable, genetic disease that affects children, causing progressive loss of muscle control, immune system and other health problems. This cause was chosen in honor of the Taylor Richmond Benefit Dance, a Saint Mary’s tradition now in its 18th year, that was first created to help a Saint Mary’s staff member’s son who had A-T.

In November 2017, the student musicians and their director donated their time and talents at another Café Congo event where more than $600 was collected to assist victims of the hurricane in Puerto Rico.

For more information about these events or the Saint Mary’s jazz program, contact Saint Mary’s Director of Jazz Studies A. Eric Heukeshoven at 507-457-7292 or eheukesh@smumn.edu.

Photo caption: Saint Mary’s Jazz Combo 1 members playing it forward at Café Congo include, from left: A. Eric Heukeshoven, piano; Ben Albus and Sam Price, guitar; Gabby Reinartz, trumpet; Cray Alvarez, drums; Noah French, tenor sax; Sam French, alto sax; Max Heukeshoven, bass. Photo by Janet Heukeshoven.

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