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The
Band Behind The Music
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 and others).
The group performs well over a dozen concerts each year,
many featuring internationally recognized jazz artists. Recently featured soloists include
Monty Alexander, Don Braden, Donald Brown,
Vincent Herring, Mulgrew Miller, Bill Mobley
and Marvin Stamm. |
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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 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
Jimmy Mann - tenor, clarinet
Tom Johnson - baritone saxophone, bass clarinet
TRUMPETS
Michael Wyatt, lead
Jim Williamson
Stewart Cox
Thomas Heflin
Omari Thomas
Tom Fox
TROMBONES
Tom Lundberg, lead
Don Hough
Darrell Wyatt
Brad McDougall
RHYTHM
Bill Swann - piano
Donald Brown - piano (track 6)
Dan Trudell - Hammond B-3 organ (tracks 3, 5)
Larry Vincent - banjo (track 8)
Rusty Holloway - Bass
Keith Brown - Drums
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra has
released three CD recordings:
- The Music of Donald Brown (2000) -
Tribute to the internationally recognized pianist and composer. Donald Brown is a
three-time Grammy award nominee who has toured and recorded with Art Blakey's Jazz
Messengers, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Donald
Byrd, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, and many others. He is
widely heralded as one of the music's most important living composers.
- One for the Team (2001) - Collection of
University of Tennessee fight songs arranged by Thompson for jazz big band.
- A Year in the Life of the Band (2002) -
Collection of live recordings from 2001-02. Documents the group's European tour to Jazz
à 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.
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