Bruce Kaplan introduces the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra
Jazz is thriving in Knoxville, and some of the vibes are filtering down to Chattanooga.
Vance Thompson brought the full contingent of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra to the Barking Legs Theater on Dodds Avenue on Thursday night.
Bruce Kaplan feared that the 16-member orchestra would dwarf the crowd at the small concert venue. Instead, the seats were filled and chairs were brought out to ring the 16 talented performers.
Thompson, trumpeter who founded the orchestra in 1999, told of an ongoing collaboration with Barking Legs that will include some upcoming shows with individual orchestra members. He urged Chattanoogans to drive up the road to take in some of the orchestra's upcoming performances at its home venue.
Among the featured performers was keyboardist Kevin Brown, son of jazzman Donald Brown. He is among those who will be back at Barking Legs soon.
Another Kevin Brown handles the drums for the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.
The group, all nattily dressed in matching suit and tie, played two sets with different members improvising on solo parts.
Vocalist Kelle Jolly even came along for a song each set, including the familiar "Tennessee Waltz" as her second number.
The mission of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra "is to promote jazz music through performance and education."
The group is governed by an independent board of directors comprised of local leaders "who are passionate about jazz."
Vance Thompson leads jazz group