Janet Testerman Crossley and Bill Regas took to the dance floor during the recent Evening Under the Stars.
Once again, Sherri Lee opened her beautiful estate on a picturesque cove on Fort Loudoun Lake to raise funds for the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra through an event called Evening Under the Stars. This, year, however, due to the threat of rain, it was actually an evening under a huge tent! As it turned out, the rain held off. And it was beautiful, in any case.
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra is a 17-piece big band with five saxophones, four trombones, five trumpets, piano, bass and drums. It is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to growing audiences for jazz music through public performance and education outreach. Since its inception in 1999, the organization has presented dozens of concerts in East Tennessee, appeared on major jazz festivals in the United States and Europe, performed and recorded with internationally acclaimed guest artists and released four critically acclaimed CD recordings.
The orchestra presents six annual concerts in downtown Knoxville with performances at the Tennessee Theatre, the Bijou Theatre and The Square Room. These concerts feature world-renowned guest artists backed by some of our area’s top professional musicians. This past season, every single show sold out in advance.
Additionally, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra presents an afternoon concert series called “Jazz Lunch” on the first Wednesday of each month from noon to 1 p.m. at The Square Room. Each month’s concert pays tribute to a different historical figure whose music made a lasting impact on jazz. The concerts are performed by small jazz ensembles comprising local and regional musicians. Admission to the concert includes a lunch buffet. For tickets on upcoming Jazz Lunch programs, click here.
The KJO also performs “Jazz on the Square” — a free outdoor concert series on the stage at Market Square. These concerts are presented every Tuesday night, May through August, from 8 to 10 p.m.
And the orchestra’s “Jazz in the Schools” program provides free in-school performances to children in Knox County.
As you can see, it’s a very busy group of guys.
This huge tent was just a safety net really, due to the threat of rain.
A view of the boathouse and the cove behind Sherri Lee’s stunning home.
The side yard also is stunning.
A relaxing pool view.
The beautiful back of the house.
Guests Mark and Cathy Hill relaxing on a side porch prior to dinner.
We all loved this most unusual tree swing.
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra performed during cocktails.
Dr. Bill and Sharon Laing were two of our table partners.
Dr. Richard and Stephanie Briggs looked dapper.
I think Bill Arant was the most appropriately dressed!
Get a load of his tie!
Mini crab cakes were among the passed hors d’oeuvres provided by caterer Nancy Kendrick.
Crostini with goat cheese mousse and caramelized onion and mushrooms. Yum.
Roasted eggplant atop goat cheese mousse.
Richard and Bette Bryan shared a table with us.
As did my brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy Moxley and Tess Richard, visiting from Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Mixed baby greens with poached pear, Roquefort cheese and champagne vinaigrette was the delicious salad course.
Dr. Jack and Sylvia Lacey
Evelyn and Tom Shaw
Herb roasted tenderloin of beef with potato gratin, tri-colored honey carrots and steamed asparagus constituted the main course.
Milton McNally and Melinda Meador
Jim and Margaret Samples
Sheena McCall, left, with Kathleen and Pete Finch. Sheena is chair of the KJO board of directors.
Charles Fels and Susan Sgarlat
Ellen Robinson, right, with Barbara and Bill Arant
Our hostess, Sherri Lee, right, with Ann and Sam Furrow.
Cindy Hassil, of WUOT-FM, visiting with my hubby, Alan Carmichael.
Betsy Child and Paul Barber
Pam and Jim Givens
Don and Liz Batchelor
Nancy and King Taft
A trio of delicious desserts.
Lloyd and Betty Rose Adams love to dance.
Barbara and Bernie Bernstein
Kay and Larry Leibowitz
Barbara Arant and Peter Acly. (He’s so funny!)
Here are Melinda and Milton again.
At the end of a fun, fun night, Jimmy, Tess and Alan wait for a golf cart to take us to our car. Jimmy and Tess would leave the next day. But it sure was fun!
We are fortunate to have such great jazz artists here in Knoxville in the form of the KJO.
Always a lovely event. The KJO are fabulous.