Knoxville Jazz Orchestra

with Monty Alexander

Tuesday, April 6, 8:00 p.m.

In a career spanning five decades, pianist Monty Alexander has built a reputation exploring and bridging the worlds of American jazz, popular song, and the music of his native Jamaica, finding in each a sincere spirit of musical expression. In the process, he has performed and recorded with artists from every corner of the musical universe and entertainment world: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Ray Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Clark Terry, Quincy Jones, Ernest Ranglin, Barbara Hendricks, Bill Cosby, Bobby McFerrin, Sly Dunbar, and Robbie Shakespeare, among others.

Admission: $15.00 student, $25.50 adult - plus applicable service fees

Tao: The Martial Art of Drumming

Wednesday, April 7, 7:30 p.m.

Athletic bodies and contemporary costumes meet explosive Taiko drumming and innovative choreography in this show. With hundreds of sold-out shows and more than a million spectators, TAO has proven that modern entertainment based on the traditional art of Japanese drumming, has massive international appeal. The stars of TAO live and train at a compound in the mountains of Japan, reaching the highest level of virtuosity only after years of intensive study. Each brings nontraditional flair to the group and offer a young and vibrantly modern take on a traditional art form.

Admission: $5.00 UT student, $20.00 faculty/staff, $25.00 community - plus applicable service fees

Erick Baker

Friday, April 9, 8 p.m.

With a unique and soulful voice, Erick baker asks listeners to feel and connect with emotions in a time when ignoring them has become the most common strategy. Onstage, his passion for performance give his shows the power to open wounds and mend them at the same time. His debut EP "It's Getting too Late to Say it's Early", was released last March, and the songs of hurt, healing, pain and promise resonated with fans. Baker's tunes are an open invitation to reflect upon and truly appreciate the moments that matter. In their directness, they speak to those who need an understanding voice of their own.

Admission: $16.50 advance / $19.00 doors - plus applicable service fees

KSO Chamber Classics Series

Principal Quartet

Sunday, April 11, 2:30 p.m.

Featuring the KSO Principal Quartet: Miroslav Hristov, violin; Edward Pulgar, violin; Kathryn Gawne, viola; Andrew Bryenton, cello.

Bartok: Quartet No. 3 | Mozart: Quintet in C minor | Brahms: Quartet in C minor

The KSO Principal Quartet is the face and sound of the Knoxville Symphony that is seen and heard throughout East Tennessee in venues other than a concert hall. This concert presents yet another opportunity for the Chamber Classics Series audience to tap into the infinite wealth and diversity of the chamber music repertoire, as well as appreciate more immediately and unfiltered the finely-honed musical skills of the principal string players of the KSO.

Admission: Adults - $31.00 & $22.00 / Students - $10.00 plus applicable service fees.

Allen Toussaint

w/ Mike Farris

Wednesday, April 14, 8 p.m.

Allen Toussaint is one of the most influential figures in New Orleans R&B. he has produced, written for, arranged, had his songs covered by musical giants like, Paul McCartney, Paul Simon, The Rolling Stones, Patti LaBelle, The Neville Brothers, Joe Cocker, The Band, Etta James, The Judds, and many, many more. His career has spanned over 40 years including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The most recent in Toussaint's long list of honors and accolades is the Grammy nominated The River In Reverse; his collaboration with Elvis Costello. Join us for what is sure to be an amazing evening with a legendary performer.
Mike Farris opens the show.

Admission: $26.50 plus applicable service fees

NEEDTOBREATHE "Won't Turn Back Tour"

with Special Guests Will Hoge and Matt Hires

Thursday, April 15, 8 p.m.

Led by brothers Bear and Bo Rinehart, Needtobreathe has already earned a fervent following throughout the Southeast. The melodic rock of their Lava/Atlantic debut, Daylight, has kept the band touring since its 2006 release. Songs like "Shine On" and the powerful first single, "You Are Here," express heartfelt emotions that manage to be both deeply individual and wholly universal. Their most recent album, The Heat, was met with regional success and gained strong airplay on the college charts nationwide.
Will Hoge and Matt Hires open the show.

Admission: $19.00 advance / $20.50 doors - plus applicable service fees

Tennessee Shines

featuring Various Artists

Wednesday, April 28, 7:00 p.m.

Details regarding the April edition of Tennessee Shines will be listed as soon as all artists are confirmed. Save the date now!

Admission: $15 advance, $20 day of show, plus applicable service fees

Dave Barnes

with Ben Rector

Thursday, April 29, 8 p.m.

Initially, Dave Barnes was part of the Nashville folk scene. After playing solo acoustic shows, though, Barnes found himself drawn to music that spoke to his roots. Barnes cut his teeth in a 50-capacity room-and drawing just seven people at one point. But just a few years later, after crisscrossing the country and selling vanloads of two independent albums, "Brother, Bring The Sun" and "Chasing Mississippi", he landed songs on television and in films, and was developing a steadily growing fan base. Those fans include Vince Gill & Amy Grant, and John Mayer. In addition to the warm response of industry folks and audiences, Barnes has been profoundly affected by his work with the Mocha Club (mochaclub.org)-which builds orphanages and supplies medical care in Africa, after making service trips to the continent, the songwriting began shifting. As he says, "I love to write about my experiences, but I think this record (Me & You & The World) is much more about realizing there are so many other stories to tell." Undoubtedly, Barnes' enthusiastic audience agrees.

Admission: $16.50 advance / $18.50 doors - plus applicable service fees

Edwin McCain

Friday, April 30, 8 p.m.

Blending equal parts folk, soul and rock, platinum-selling singer/songwriter Edwin McCain has a way of investing life's everyday moments with a poetry all his own. Since his debut, McCain has been banging out catchy anthemic tunes like, "I'll Be", "Take Me" and more and working as a tireless troubadour whose rapturous live performances regularly sell-out. He penned another winner, "Walk With You" last fall. A retrospective, "The Best of Edwin McCain" is due to be released late in March. With McCain's deep, expressive vocals belting out the rhythm and blues, it's clear that he and the songs he sings are kindred spirits, finally finding each other and embracing in the reunion.

Tickets on sale Friday, March 26

Admission: $19.50 doors - plus applicable service fees