Cellist Yo-Yo Ma calls East Tennessee ‘paradise’

A sold-out crowd of 5,500 purchased tickets to “Our Common Nature” at World’s Fair Park on Friday night. Another 2,000 to 3,000 watched for free on a big screen in a separate part of the park.

Yo-Yo Ma at World’s Fair Park on Friday.

When we got there shortly before 6, there were just a few folks milling around. But the setting sure was beautiful!

Alan and Karen Sims. He writes the “Inside of Knoxville” blog. Like us, they live downtown. “It just seemed like a good day for a walk in the park,” he winked when I jokingly asked what he was doing there.

Steve and Mary Ellen Brewington and Craig Shelton, right, set up a picnic. Her family’s company, Cherokee Distributing Company, was one of the sponsors of “Our Common Nature.”

I took it as a good sign when I saw Jim Haslam, left, chatting with Tom McAdams. The Haslams were major sponsors. McAdams is one of the driving forces behind the establishment of Lakeshore Park.

Alan Carmichael and Melissa McAdams.

Folks from the Roy Cockrum Foundation, another big sponsor, arrived. From left, Carol Ann Lee, Frazier Marsh, Roy Cockrum, his sister Carolyn and Benita Hofstetter Koman.

From left, Mary Ellen Brewington, Lakeshore Park Conservancy Executive Director Julieanne Foy and Susan Bush.

Big Ears Development Director Casey Fox and Richard Stair, treasurer of the Big Ears board.

Then, without fanfare, Yo-Yo Ma and poet R.B. Morris strolled into the Overlook area of Lakeshore Park.

They were joined by Native American flutist Jarrett Grey Wildcatt.

The sound from his instrument was haunting.

Morris, formerly Knoxville’s poet laureate, recited a poem.

Ma performed, among other things, a brief snippet of Aaron Copland’s “Simple Gifts” from “Appalachian Spring” and a short piece of “Amazing Grace.” I will insert a bit of “Simple Gifts” at the end of this blog post.

The audience sat in mesmerized silence.

Very moving.

Everyone was spellbound.

In about 20 minutes, it was over.

Hugging ensued.

After Yo-Yo Ma slipped away, many of us hung around to socialize and process what we had experienced. Here’s Alan Carmichael, right, with Bryan Crow, director of operations for Big Ears Festival.

From left, Birgit Clark, Karly Stribling, and Oona Pearl Morris.

Sharon Pryse, left, and Natalie Haslam.

Ashley Capps, left, and Todd Steed, interim director of WUOT-FM.

Evie Andrus, in yellow, was playing with a bluegrass band she had put together on the Bill Lyons Pavilion at Market Square.

She soon was joined by Phil Jamison, whom most folks didn’t recognize as one of the most accomplished dance callers in the country.

In no time at all, he had people up on their feet. The crowd got larger as he issued basic square dance instructions.

We saw some of our friends from the City of Knoxville hanging around. From left, Chip Barry, Paige Travis and Michael Dunthorn.

Mayor Indya Kincannon, in orange, was one of the first to join a “square.”

Ashley Capps, left, joined in, too!

And Yo-Yo Ma, the most famous cellist in the world, slipped in among the band members with no introduction.

Here he is chatting with Jodi Harbin.

Sheena McCall didn’t miss the photo op!

Our friend Ronnie Collins was on hand to grab a few shots, too!

Later, Ashley Capps came over to where we were sitting at a table on Kabuki’s patio and visited with Knoxville Symphony Music Director Aram Demirjian.

In about 20 minutes, it ended with hugs, again!

That night, Amythyst Kiah opened for a sold-out Chris Thile show at the Bijou Theatre. They both would play with Yo-Yo Ma at World’s Fair Park the next day.

Chris Thile knocked us all dead with his mandolin playing, singing and quick wit!

When Friday rolled around, we met up with these great friends at a reception prior to the “Our Common Nature” event. From left, Bill Morrow, Margie Nichols, Ginny Morrow and John Gill.

We settled in on the fifth row in front of these familiar faces. From left, Angela Masini, Sheena McCall, Michael and Judy Morman, and Gina Buffum.

Our buddy Cathy Hill went up close to the stage to get a closer look at the instruments.

More folks anticipating the start of the show. From left, Alicia Randisi-Hooker, Alice Stuart, Mary Sue Greiner, and Dr. Henry Hooker.

Gina and Fred Buffum.

Yo-Yo Ma and Rhiannon Giddens.

From left, Yo-Yo Ma, Eric Mingus and Jennifer Kreisberg, who sang in a Native American language.

Again, we heard the distinctive sound of Jarrett Grey Wildcatt’s flute.

Native American scholar Tom Belt telling what the land means to his people and culture.

Chris Thile, left, and Edgar Meyer. (Meyer grew up in Oak Ridge, by the way.)

Here they are joined by Yo-Yo Ma.

North Carolina author, storyteller and singer Sheila Kay Adams.

It was great hearing Amythyst Kiah again.

Rhiannon Giddens and her fellow Carolina Chocolate Drops member, Justin Robinson.

Phil Jamison, the dance caller from the previous night on Market Square, proved he can play as well as call. (And, you can see him dance at the bottom of this blog post!)

Eric Mingus has a big, powerful voice.

So does Jennifer Kreisberg.

The curtain call came after 2-1/2 hours. From left, Tom Belt, Yo-Yo Ma, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile, Jarrett Grey Wildcatt, Eric Mingus, Rhiannon Giddens, Amythyst Kiah, Jennifer Kreisberg, Justin Robinson, Sheila Kay Adams and Phil Jamison.

On the way out, we ran into some of the stars of the Cattywampus Puppet Council who had been entertaining folks at the free part of the venue. They came into the paying area late in the evening and danced to the tunes. I love them!

And we ran into our friends R.J. Hinde, left, and John Winemiller. And Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon.

Yo-Yo Ma, great guy that he is, hosted an after-party for the musicians and staff at J.C. Holdway following the show. Here he is with Birgit Clark and her hubs, Ashley Capps. (Someone sent me this picture. I wasn’t there, darn it! Ha.)

The fantastic experience concluded on Saturday with a sold-out performance by Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson at the Bijou Theatre. Sheila Kay Adams opened for them.