Jazz Under the Stars 2011 really swings

Ann Furrow and Johnny Majors were dinner partners.

Ann Furrow and Johnny Majors were dinner partners.

Alan and I attended Jazz Under the Stars for the third year in a row last week. It’s a fundraiser for the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and it is always great fun. We love the fact that the event actually features the artists it benefits, whereas some other fundraisers for cultural groups oddly do not feature the very performers for whom they are raising money.

Folks arrived at Sherri Lee’s stunning west Knoxville estate  in a party mood. The weather was  perfect this year. And, believe me, these people deserve it! Two years ago a torrential downpour drove the party into the garage — and the musicians into a covered breezeway connecting the house to the garage. It was still fun, of course, but tremendously crowded. And last year, the rain held off, but the temperature was near 100. Again, folks managed to have fun — and even dance a little — but it was HOT! This year, the temperature was much more moderate. The few clouds were not terribly threatening and served to keep the conditions comfortable. It was a near-perfect evening for an outdoor party.

Isn't this a lovely setting?

Isn't this a lovely setting?

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra plays all night long!

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra plays all night long!

Goat cheese and tomato jam tartlets were among the elegant passed appetizers.

Goat cheese and tomato jam tartlets were among the elegant passed appetizers.

Bill Regas samples the grapes wrapped in blue cheese and pecans.

Bill Regas samples the grapes wrapped in blue cheese and pecans.

Tim Williams, left, with Bernie and Barbara Bernstein

Tim Williams, left, with Bernie and Barbara Bernstein

Our hostess, Sherri Lee, left, with Peter Acly and Ellen Robinson

Our hostess, Sherri Lee, left, with Peter Acly and Ellen Robinson

Cousins Lloyd Adams, left, and Dick Ince

Cousins Lloyd Adams, left, and Dick Ince

Natalie Haslam and John Quinn

Natalie Haslam and John Quinn

Sarah Stowers, left, and Bobbie Congleton

Sarah Stowers, left, and Bobbie Congleton

From left, Jim and Mary Ellen Mattavi and Judy and Gordon Gibson

From left, Jim and Mary Ellen Mattavi and Judy and Gordon Gibson

Randy Burleson, left, and Bill Rukeyser. Burleson provided the wine for the dinner. Thanks, Randy!

Randy Burleson, left, and Bill Rukeyser. Burleson provided the wine for the dinner. Thanks, Randy!

Jim Haslam and Anne Sprouse

Jim Haslam and Anne Sprouse

Alan Carmichael, left, and Dr. Larry Kilgore

Alan Carmichael, left, and Dr. Larry Kilgore

Carl and Laura Eshbaugh

Carl and Laura Eshbaugh

Dr. Jan Henley with Michael McCabbin, left, and John Porter

Dr. Jan Henley with Michael McCabbin, left, and John Porter

Sheena McCall and Ken Levine

Sheena McCall, chairman of the board of the KJO, and Ken Levine

Amy Williams, fundraising chair of the KJO, with Michael Foltz, left, and Eric Botts

Amy Williams, fundraising chair of the KJO, with Michael Foltz, left, and Eric Botts

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Majors

Pat and Norman Majors

Hash and Nazzy Hashemian

Hash and Nazzy Hashemian

Soon, it was time to sit down to a filet and crab cake dinner catered by Nancy Kendrick of Creative Catering.

Everything was good, but the crab cake was outstanding.

Everything was good, but the crab cake was outstanding.

Todd and Sherri Johnson were among our tablemates.

Todd and Sherri Johnson were among our tablemates.

Barbara Apking, center, dropped by to visit with Annette and Scott Brun

Barbara Apking, center, dropped by to visit with Annette and Scott Brun

Jim and Kay Clayton between courses

Jim and Kay Clayton between courses

Sylvia and Dr. John Lacey

Sylvia and Dr. John Lacey

Dessert was killer!

Dessert was killer!

And then it was time for dancing!

Lloyd and Betty Rose Adams were the first on the floor -- and, I think, the ones who enjoyed it the most!

Lloyd and Betty Rose Adams were the first on the floor -- and, I think, the ones who enjoyed it the most!

Jim and Kay Clayton tore up the floor!

Jim and Kay Clayton tore up the floor!

See what I mean?

See what I mean?

The floor got crowded!

The floor got crowded!

Judy and Gordon Gibson

Judy and Gordon Gibson

Doctors Bruce and Shirley Avery

Doctors Bruce and Shirley Avery

Janet Testerman Crossley and Bill Regas

Janet Testerman Crossley and Bill Regas

Vance Thompson is the leader of the KJO.

Vance Thompson is the leader of the KJO.

Jo Blalock, right, gives a congratulatory hug to caterer Nancy Kendrick at the end of the evening.

Jo Blalock, right, gives a congratulatory hug to caterer Nancy Kendrick at the end of the evening.

Bravo, everybody!

To read about last year’s event, click here. To read about the one in 2009, click here.

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6 Responses to Jazz Under the Stars 2011 really swings

  1. AlanCarmichael, on October 17th, 2011 at 11:51 am said:

    While I continue to be overexposed on this blog, everyone else looked great. Bruce Avery has to win best jacket award.

  2. amy williams, on October 17th, 2011 at 12:37 pm said:

    Cynthia,
    Thanks for your wonderful coverage of this event. It is big fun and we hope it continues for many more. It’s so kind of Sherri Lee to allow us the use of her beautiful home!

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on October 18th, 2011 at 10:53 am said:

    Hahaha! Alan, you are right about Dr. Avery’s jacket! Amy, you are right about Sherri’s generosity. You did a fantastic job putting the party together.

  4. Gay Lyons, on October 18th, 2011 at 11:58 am said:

    Once again–an outstanding event. Too bad the Blue Streak doesn’t have audio clips with this one.

  5. Sheena McCall, on October 19th, 2011 at 10:00 pm said:

    Best party in town!

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on October 20th, 2011 at 8:16 am said:

    I agree, Sheena! Good point, Gay.

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