KNOXVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA (JAZZ BIG BAND)
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1999 by trumpeter/composer/arranger Vance Thompson. It is a non profit corporation whose mission is to promote jazz music through public performances, education initiatives, and commissioning new works by aspiring and established composers. As such, the KJO works in tandem with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Vance Thompson, founder and prime motivator of this ambitious endeavor, received a Master of Music degree from DePaul University with emphasis on jazz trumpet. He has recorded and performed with Stefon Harris, Donald Brown, Greg Tardy, and many others. Somewhere along the way Mr. Thompson developed the skills to market and budget events as well as write grants, making it possible for the band to always move forward in its quest to promote great jazz.
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra performs well over a dozen concerts each year and does its fair share of touring. Their home concerts are well known for featuring internationally acclaimed artists such as Monty Alexander, Hank Jones, Mulgrew Miller, James Moody, and Marvin Stamm.
Vance Thompson and The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra , with their passion , energy, and wherewithal to endure, have turned Knoxville, Tennessee into a mecca for jazz musicians and jazz lovers.
KNOXVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA - BLUES MAN FROM MEMPHIS (2007)
Donald
Brown - piano/producer
Vance Thompson -
trumpet/leader
Stefon Harris -
vibes
John Clayton - bass
Gregory Tardy -
saxophones
Bill Mobley -
arranger
Rusty Holloway -
bass
Keith Brown - drums
Mark Tucker - saxes/flute
David King -
alto/flute
Bill Scarlett -
tenor/soprano
Bob Maxon - tenor/soprano
Tom Johnson -
clarinet/baritone
Tom Lundberg -
trombone
Don Hough -
trombone
Jeremy Wilson -
trombone
Brad McDougall -
trombone
Thomas Heflin -
trumpet
Michael Spirko -
trumpet
Stewart Cox -
trumpet
Michael Wyatt -
trumpet
Seneca Black -
trumpet
Mark Boling -
guitar
Tom Fox - trumpet
Cynthia Brown -
vocals
Dorothy Brown - flute
Tony D'Andrea - alto/flute
Jimmy Mann - tenor/clarinet
Jeff Ramey - trombone
Calvin Smith - horn
Robert Own - horn
Cathy Leach - trumpet
Jonathan Swygert - trumpet
Eva George - vocals
Sande MacMorran - tuba
Carlos Fernandez - percussion
Robert Owen - french horn
review by Glenn Astarita: KNOXVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA - BLUES MAN FROM MEMPHIS (2007)
1. Nancy and the Children's Playground
arr. Bill Mobley; Donald Brown, piano;
Greg Tardy, soprano saxophone
2. Blues for Brother Jerome
arr. Thompson; Stefon Harris, vibes; Donald Brown, pno;
Bill Scarlett, tenor; Mark Tucker, alto
3. Theme for Malcolm
arr. Thompson; Mark Boling, guitar;
Vance Thompson, muted trumpet; Stefon Harris, vibes
4. Daddy's Girl Cynthia
arr. Thompson; Greg Tardy, tenor; Donald Brown, piano
5. New York
arr. Mobley; Keith Brown, drums; Greg Tardy, tenor;
Thomas Heflin, trumpet; Donald Brown, piano
6. The Scenic Route to Donny's Heart
arr. Brown; Stefon Harris, vibes; John Clayton,
Rusty Holloway, bass
7. The Thing About George Coleman
arr. Thompson; John Clayton, bass;
Donald Brown, Fender Rhodes; Stefon Harris, vibes
8. Peace for Zim
arr. Thompson; Greg Tardy, tenor;
Donald Brown, Fender Rhodes; Carlos Fernandez, perc.
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