Knoxville Jazz Orchestra

STATS Rank: 2,897 Fans: 2 Views: 6,097

Upload photos of Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.

Primary Instrument: Band/ensemble/orchestra

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra is a 17 piece group based in Knoxville, Tennessee. The band was formed in 1999 by trumpeter/arranger Vance Thompson to perform and promote music for big band. All members of the band are professional musicians, some with years of experience in other top flight jazz ensembles (Woody Herman Orchestra, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Buddy Morrow Orchestra).

The group performs well over a dozen concerts each year, many featuring internationally recognized jazz artists. Artists who have appeared with the band include pianists Monty Alexander, Donald Brown, Hank Jones and Mulgrew Miller; saxophonists Seamus Blake, Don Braden, Vincent Herring, James Moody and Greg Tardy; trumpeters Bill Mobley, Marvin Stamm and Byron Stripling; trombonists Wycliffe Gordon and Paul McKee; bassist John Clayton; vibraphonist Stefon Harris; Hammond B-3 organist Dan Trudell; vocalists Deborah Brown and Annie Sellick.

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

Last Updated: October 5, 2007

Title: Blues Man from Memphis:
More from the Musical Mind of Donald Brown
Label: Blue Canoe Records
Year Released: 2007
Featured Artists: John Clayton, bass; Stefon Harris, vibraphone;
Greg Tardy, tenor and soprano saxophones

Track listing:
Nancy and the Children's Playground
Blues for Brother Jerome
Theme for Malcolm
Daddy's Girl Cynthia
New York
The Scenic Route to Donny's Heart
The Thing About George Coleman
Peace for Zim

Title: A Year in the Life of the Band
Year Released: 2002

Track Listing:
Angst
Man, What a Beautiful Day
Mean to Me
Skylark
Dig Uncle Will
Scenes of Knoxville
Martha Stewart Ain't Got Nothin' on My Baby
Life is Just a Bowl of Cherries

Title: One for the Team
Year Released: 2001

Track Listing:
Rocky Top
Tennessee Waltz
Down the Field
Amazing Grace
Rock Candy
One for the Team

Title: The Music of Donald Brown
Year Released: 2000

Track Listing:
I Used to Think She Was Quiet
Strangers in Paradise
Waltz for Monk
Back Down in Lu Easy Anna
The Thing About Harold Mabern
Shade Street
Dearest Emily
Episode from a Village Dance

Disclaimer: All About Jazz is not responsible for the accuracy of the discographical data at the website(s) provided. If a link is no longer valid, please contact discography@allaboutjazz.com. Thank you.

Please Sign Up or Log In to send your inquiry.

Sorry, no events found. Submit one now.

Your events will appear at the following locations: Jazz Near You, the weekly Jazz Near You email, the Jazz Near You app, the Jazz Near You calendar widget and this page.