“An Evening Under the Stars” featured the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra — all night long! Well done.

Janet Crossley and Bill Regas dance after dinner to the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra at "An Evening Under the Stars."

Janet Crossley and Bill Regas dance after dinner to the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra at "An Evening Under the Stars."

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra’s annual Evening Under the Stars fundraiser is turning out to be one of Knoxville’s don’t miss events. Held this past Sunday at Sherri Lee’s beautiful west Knoxville home, it does what I think every fundraiser for a performing arts group should do: it features the performing arts group! In this case, the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra performed before, during and after dinner.

It was a delight. Just take a look at who all turned out: the Haslams, the Claytons, the Furrows, Tim and Amy Williams, Jimmy Smith, Avis Phillips, the Bernsteins, the Rukeysers, among many other notables. Believe me, these are the faces you want to see at your fundraiser!

The weather cooperated this year, thank goodness. Last year, due to torrential rains, the event wasn’t “under the stars” at all, but was moved inside to Sherri Lee’s garage. Good thing it’s a large one!

Moxley Carmichael is a sponsor of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra and we are just thrilled that Knoxville has this exciting dimension to our cultural scene. It’s a wonderful town!

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra set up on Sherri Lee's front patio.

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra set up on Sherri Lee's front patio.

Woody Bezzoi chatted with hostess Sherri Lee during cocktails.

Woody Bezzoi chatted with hostess Sherri Lee during cocktails.

Jim Clayton, left, and Jimmy Smith caught up.

Jim Clayton, left, and Jimmy Smith caught up.

Betsy Child and Tim Williams, whose wife was in charge of the event.

Betsy Child and Tim Williams, whose wife was in charge of the event.

From left: Avis Phillips, Bill Regas, Sam Maynard, and Janet Crossley

From left: Avis Phillips, Bill Regas, Sam Maynard, and Janet Crossley

From left; Ellen Robinson, Melinda Meador, Teresa Scott and her new boyfriend, Adrian Roberts

From left; Ellen Robinson, Melinda Meador, Teresa Scott and her new boyfriend, Adrian Roberts

Bob McClellan, left, and Alan Carmichael

Bob McClellan, left, and Alan Carmichael

Jim Haslam and Sarah Stowers

Jim Haslam and Sarah Stowers

Sheena McCall, who is chair of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra Board, and Ken Levine

Sheena McCall, who is chair of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra Board, and Ken Levine

And then it was time for dinner.

Steve and Barbara Apking

Steve and Barbara Apking

Sam and Ann Furrow

Sam and Ann Furrow

Ann and Dick Ince

Ann and Dick Ince

Elisabeth and Bill Rukeyser

Elisabeth and Bill Rukeyser

The meal was catered by Nancy Kendrick's Creative Catering. Shrimp and filet on a bed of polenta (also known as grits, when served in the morning!).

The meal was catered by Nancy Kendrick's Creative Catering. Shrimp and filet on a bed of polenta (also known as grits, when served in the morning!).

And the band played on!

Vance Thompson is director of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.

Vance Thompson is director of the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.

Tom Johnson

Tom Johnson

Keith Brown

Keith Brown

And then, time to work the calories off on the dance floor!

As the evening cooled off, everyone was in the mood to dance!

As the evening cooled off, everyone was in the mood to dance!

Barbara and Bernie Bernstein

Barbara and Bernie Bernstein

Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly

Ellen Robinson and Peter Acly

Dick and Ann Ince

Dick and Ann Ince

At the end of the evening, these cute servers posed for us. Caroline Douglass and Alex Henderson are engaged and will be married in a couple of weeks! Congrats!

At the end of the evening, these cute servers posed for us. Caroline Douglass and Alex Henderson are engaged and will be married in a couple of weeks! Congrats!

Kudos to Vance Thompson, director of the orchestra; Sheena McCall, chair of the board; and Amy Williams, chair of the event. Great party!

Kudos to Vance Thompson, director of the orchestra; Sheena McCall, chair of the board; and Amy Williams, chair of the event. Great party!

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4 Responses to “An Evening Under the Stars” featured the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra — all night long! Well done.

  1. Melinda Meador, on September 23rd, 2010 at 8:02 am said:

    It was a beautiful night for a beautiful setting, and the KJO took us back to a time when a night out meant supper clubs, big bands, and dancing after dinner. I felt like I was on the set of a movie! We are so lucky to have the KJO!

  2. Sheena McCall, on September 25th, 2010 at 1:36 pm said:

    A truely enchanting evening in Knoxville Tn. The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra is one of Knoxville’s treasures.

  3. fm radio stations in Connecticut, on October 2nd, 2010 at 4:26 am said:

    It was a beautiful night for a beautiful setting, and the KJO took us back to a time when a night out meant supper clubs, big bands, and dancing after dinner. I felt like I was on the set of a movie! We are so lucky to have the KJO!

  4. Pingback:Blue Streak » Jazz Under the Stars 2011 really swings

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