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The
Knoxville Jazz Orchestra is a 17-piece big band with five saxophones, four
trombones, five trumpets, piano, bass, and drums.
The band is comprised of
East Tennessee’s top professional musicians and performs a wide range of
music from America’s jazz tradition. The group’s performances have been
described as energetic, exciting, engaging and highly entertaining.
The Knoxville Jazz
Orchestra was formed in 1999 by trumpeter/arranger Vance Thompson. Since
that time, the band has appeared on jazz festivals in Europe, released four
critically acclaimed CD recordings and performed dozens of concerts in
Knoxville, many featuring internationally recognized guest artists.
The
orchestra’s local season features themed events including
Jazz is for Lovers, a Swingin’ Christmas, Evening with a Legend, and a
Tribute concert.
For a list of past
guest artists with the band, click here. |
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Vance Thompson
Bill Scarlett
Rusty Holloway
Brad McDougall
Keith Brown
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Vance
Thompson - director
A Tennessee native, Vance Thompson grew up in a musical family. He began studying piano at
age 5, and picked up the trumpet at 10. While still in high school, Thompson began
studying jazz improvisation with famed educator
Jerry Coker at the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Thompson completed a Bachelor of Music degree in
Knoxville in 1994, then moved to Chicago, IL to continue his studies at
DePaul
University. Thompson has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including
1st Place at the International Trumpet Guild's jazz competition in 1993,
and Downbeat Magazine's "Best Arrangement" in 1997.
SAXOPHONES
Mark Tucker - lead alto, flute, soprano
David King - alto, flute
Bill Scarlett - tenor, clarinet, soprano
Bob Maxon - tenor, clarinet
Tom Johnson - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
TRUMPETS
Michael Wyatt, lead
Stewart Cox
Michael Spirko
Tom Fox
TROMBONES
Tom Lundberg, lead
Don Hough
Nate Malone
Brad McDougall
RHYTHM
Bill Swann - piano
Rusty Holloway - Bass
Keith Brown - Drums
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra has
released four CD recordings:
- Blues Man from Memphis:
More from the Musical Mind of Donald Brown
featuring John Clayton, Stefon Harris & Greg Tardy
(2007 Blue Canoe Records) -
New compositions by Donald Brown with arrangements by Brown, Bill Mobley
& Vance Thompson. From planning to completion this project took more
than two years...and it shows. Attention to detail is evident in the
ensemble performance, compositions, arrangements, mix and overall
recording quality. And the guest artist's performances are the icing on
the cake. A must have for any jazz fan. Ordering info.
- A Year in the Life of the Band (2002) -
Collection of live recordings from 2001-02. Documents the group's European tour to Jazz
a Vienne (France), the Montreux Jazz festival (Switzerland), and
Ezcaray Jazz Festival (Spain). Also includes guest artist appearances by
Chicago organist Dan Trudell and pianist Donald Brown.
- One for the Team (2001) - Collection of
University of Tennessee fight songs arranged by Thompson for jazz big band.
Featured tunes include Rocky Top, the Tennessee Waltz, Down the Field
and Amazing Grace.
- The Music of Donald Brown
(2000) - Our first album, this project began as a demo for our 2001
European tour, then morphed into a full-length recording. This CD is
currently out of print.
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