Knoxville Jazz Orchestra Presents Its Silver Anniversary Concert on Tuesday, April, 15 2025

''The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, founded by Knoxville-area native musician Vance Thompson, celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a concert on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. The concert begins at 8 p.m., and tickets are available online at https://www.knoxjazz.org/calendar/202... for the event in the beautiful Bijou Theater.

After a quarter century of backing up some of the jazz world’s greatest artists, this event will put the spotlight on the musicians who have dedicated themselves to making the KJO a success. It will also highlight some of the young local talent lighting the way to the future.

For an excellent, in-depth article about the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, read the recently published piece written by K.W. Leonard online. The article can be found here:

https://tinyurl.com/KJO-Silver-Annive...

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Knoxville Jazz Orchestra Celebrates 25 Years with Special Anniversary Concert at the Bijou Theatre

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Knoxville, TN – The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra (KJO) is proud to commemorate its
Silver Anniversary with a special concert at the historic Bijou Theatre on Tuesday,
April 15, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are selling quickly, and may be purchased online at www.knoxjazz.org.

“The 25th anniversary concert will feature the musicians who have been integral to the organization’s success, plus special guests Mark Boling, Margherita Fava, Daniel Kimbro, Denin Slage-Koch, Mimi Terry and Terry Washington,” KJO Founder and Artistic Vance Thompson said.

Founded in 1999, under Thompson’s leadership and vision, the KJO has grown from a local ensemble into a nationally-
recognized institution known for its musical excellence, innovative arrangements, and dedication to jazz education.Over the past quarter century, the orchestra has made an indelible impact on the region’s cultural landscape.

“We’re excited to bring together musicians from across the orchestra’s history and highlight incredible local talent,” Thompson said. “It will be a night of fantastic music and celebration.”

A Legacy of Jazz Excellence

What began as a vision to create an outlet for high-caliber, big band jazz in Knoxville has grown into a major musical institution. When Thompson returned to East Tennessee after a four-year stint in Chicago, he realized Knoxville had the talent to form a premier jazz orchestra. The KJO’s first rehearsal in August 1999 set the stage for what would become an enduring legacy of exceptional performances and community engagement.

The band‘s debut recording, The Music of Donald Brown (2000), helped the group secure prestigious performances at international festivals, including Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazz à Vienne, and the Ezcaray Jazz Festival in Spain. Over the years, KJO has collaborated with jazz greats such as Doc Severinsen, Hank Jones, Christian McBride, and many more, solidifying its reputation in the jazz world.

Educational Impact and Community Engagement

Beyond performances, KJO has become a pillar of jazz education in East Tennessee. The organization established
the Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra in 2002 and later added a middle school program to foster young talent. In 2021,
the Knoxville Jazz Workshop was launched, offering comprehensive jazz instruction. Today, KJO presents over 60 performances annually, including community outreach and free events, ensuring that jazz remains accessible to all.

“Over time, we realized the impact we could have on the community and young musicians,” Thompson said. “Now, our focus is on making jazz education and performance opportunities available to as many people as possible.”


A Night to Remember

This landmark event is expected to sell out quickly, as jazz lovers and supporters of the arts gather to celebrate the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra’s 25-year journey. Don’t miss this historic night of music and memories. For tickets and more information, visit www.knoxjazz.org.

Visit https://www.knoxjazz.org/calendar/202... for tickets and more information.

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Knoxville Jazz Orchestra (KJO) website: https://www.knoxjazz.org/
KJO Facebook:   / knoxvillejazzorchestra  
KJO YouTube:    / @knoxvillejazzorchestra2403  
KJO Instagram:   / knoxvillejazzorchestra  
KJO Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/knoxjazz
KJO Apple Music: https://embed.music.apple.com/us/albu...