The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1999 by trumpeter, arranger and composer Vance Thompson. Since that time, the band has appeared on jazz festivals in the United States and Europe, released four critically acclaimed CD recordings and presented scores of concerts, many featuring world renowned guest artists. 

KNOXVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Vance Thompson - director

SAXOPHONES: Mark Tucker, David King, alto; Greg Tardy, William Boyd, tenor; Tom Johnson, bari

TROMBONES: Tom Lundberg, Don Hough, Chris MacTavish, Brad McDougall

TRUMPETS: Michael Wyatt, Stewart Cox, Michael Spirko, Vance Thompson

RHYTHM: Mark Boling, guitar, Bill Swann, piano, Tommy Sauter, bass, Keith Brown, drums

VOCALS: Kelle Jolly

Past Guest Artists

PIANO: Monty Alexander, Donald Brown, Aaron Diehl, Geoffrey Keezer, Hank Jones, Mulgrew Miller, James Morrison, Arturo O'Farrill, Eric Reed, Elio Villafranca

BASS: John Clayton, Eddie Gomez, Christian McBride, Ricardo Rodriguez, Joshua Thomas

DRUMS: Vince Cherico, Joe Gonzalez, Roland Guerrero, Jeff Hamilton, Dafnis Prieto, Herlin Riley, Kendrick Scott, Ed Soph, Karl Wright

SAXOPHONE: Wessel Anderson, Don Braden, Seamus Blake, James Carter, Jeff Clayton, Tim Green, Jimmy Heath, Vincent Herring, James Moody, James Morrison, Maceo Parker, Greg Tardy, Bobby Watson

TRUMPET: Ingrid Jensen, Sean Jones, Brian Lynch, Bill Mobley, James Morrison, Marcus Printup, Doc Severinsen, Terrel Stafford, Byron Stripling, Marvin Stamm

TROMBONE: Michael Dease, Wycliffe Gordon, Conrad Herwig, Delfeayo Marsalis, Paul McKee, James Morrison, Ron Westray

CLARINET: Anat Cohen, Ken Peplowski

HAMMOND B-3 ORGAN: Dan Trudell

CONDUCTOR/ARRANGER: John Clayton, Arturo O'Farrill, Terry Vosbein, Gerald Wilson

VIBRAPHONE: Stefon Harris, Warren Wolf

GUITAR/DOBRO: Andy Bassford, Bill Frisell, Rob Ickes, John Pizzarelli

VIOLIN: Regina Carter

VOCALS: Karrin Allyson, Jill Andrews, Carmen Bradford, Deborah Brown, Clairdee, Dee Daniels, Kurt Elling, Kayley Farmer, Kelle Jolly, Melba Joyce, Kevin Mahogany, René Marie, Jane Monheit, Maceo Parker, John Pizzarelli, Gregory Porter, Robinella, Catherine Russell, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Annie Sellick, Brianna Thomas