The Jazz Band and Bluegrass Concert at Pellissippi State Community College is just one installment in the Pellissippi State Music Concert Series. It also happens to be one of the most popular of the nine-concert series’ performances.
In other words, arrive early for this free event.
Scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, the performance gets under way with Pellissippi State’s bluegrass ensemble, Hardin Valley Thunder. The group draws its repertoire from both the traditional and the contemporary, with selections ranging from old-time songs by the Stanley Brothers to the newer sounds of bands such as the SteelDrivers and Cadillac Sky.
Following Hardin Valley Thunder is Pellissippi State’s jazz band—joined by guest saxophonist Greg Tardy, formerly of New Orleans and New York City and currently assistant professor of music at the University of Tennessee. The band will perform music by jazz greats Horace Silver, Sonny Rollins and Knoxville’s own Donald Brown. Selections chosen will showcase the musicians’ talents at improvisation and ensemble performance.
Admission is free. However, donations will be accepted at the door for the Pellissippi State Foundation on behalf of the Music Scholarship fund. For the 2010-11 academic year, the Foundation awarded more than 100 music-related scholarships to more than 80 Pellissippi State students.
In 2010, the Foundation launched the All Steinway School campaign, which seeks to elevate the Music program to world-class status by raising $600,000 for the placement of 13 Steinway pianos in studios, practice rooms and performance venues. If successful, Pellissippi State will become the first All Steinway community college in Tennessee, the fourth All Steinway community college in the nation, and one of only approximately 120 All Steinway colleges and universities in the world.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the Clayton Performing Arts Center on the Pellissippi Campus, 10915 Hardin Valley Road. Parking is convenient and free.
For additional information, contact Bill Brewer, Pellissippi State’s Music program coordinator, at (865) 694-6701 or lwbrewer@pstcc.edu. To request accommodations for a disability, contact Ann Satkowiak at (865) 539-7153 or asatkowiak@pstcc.edu.
For information about participating in or giving to the All Steinway School campaign, call the Pellissippi State Foundation at (865) 694-6529 or visit www.pstcc.edu/steinway.