2026-2027 KJO SEASON
The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1999 by trumpeter, arranger, and composer Vance Thompson. Since that time, the band has appeared on jazz festivals in the United States and Europe, released four critically acclaimed CD recordings and presented scores of concerts, many featuring world-renowned guest artists.
Knoxville Jazz Orchestra is excited to announce its 2026-2027 concert season! Join us for a series of unforgettable performances featuring internationally acclaimed guest artists backed by our 17 piece big band! Season subscription renewals begin Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 10am. New subscriptions go on sale Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 10am. Tickets for individual shows will go on sale Friday, August 28, 2026, at 10am. (Join the Bijou Theatre newsletter to receive presale access for individual shows starting Wednesday, August 26, 2026!)
Big Band Beat is the KJO’s signature big band concert series at the Bijou Theatre and is made possible by the Lawson Family Foundation. Each subscription to Big Band Beat at the Bijou Theatre includes a reserved seat for the KJO’s sellout ‘Swingin’ Christmas’ concert at the Tennessee Theatre to ensure your holidays start on a high note.
PRICING
- Season Subscriptions: 5 concerts for $240.00*. Subscribers enjoy a 10% discount over single ticket pricing and get preferred seating accommodations. Keep your seats from last season, or choose new ones before tickets go on sale to the general public.
- *Note: Subscription price includes a $2 per ticket service fee.
- Group discounts are available starting on Wednesday, August 26. Please complete the Group Sales form to reserve seats for your group of 10 or more!
RENEWING SUBSCRIBERS
- Renewals begin Tuesday, July 28th at 10:00am.
- Renewing subscribers have until Friday, August 21st to renew their seats from the 2025-2026 season.
NEW SUBSCRIBERS
- New subscriptions can be purchased beginning Tuesday, August 11 at 10:00am.
HOW TO ORDER
- Online: Follow this link to renew online.
- By Phone: Call 865-684-1200 ext 2 to renew or order new tickets by phone. Renewals begin July 28th at 10:00am.
- In person: Visit the box office at 224 Clinch Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902. (on the north side of the Tennessee Theatre).
- The box office is open Monday-Friday from 10:00am-3:00pm.
- Note: Please check the Tennessee Theatre’s in-person availability as they may have varied hours during the summer.
ACCESSING TICKETS
- All tickets will be delivered digitally, and you can access them by logging in to your Account Manager.
2026-2027 CONCERT SEASON
Miles @ 100 with Marquis Hill
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 8:00pm | Bijou Theatre
The KJO celebrates the centennial of Miles Davis’ birth with trumpeter MARQUIS HILL, one of the boldest visionaries of the modern era. Hill cut his teeth in Chicago before winning the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz competition in 2014 and becoming a presence on the global scene virtually overnight. The program will include music from across Davis’ storied career, including selections from his iconic albums Miles Ahead, Sketches of Spain, and Kind of Blue.
Jazz is for Lovers with Carmen Bradford
Friday, February 12, 2027, 8:00pm | Bijou Theatre
Vocalist CARMEN BRADFORD delights audiences around the globe as the featured vocalist for the Count Basie Orchestra. In addition to world-class pipes, she brings a wealth of sensational big band material, including selections from her latest acclaimed album Carmen Sings Carmen, her tribute to jazz icon Carmen McCrae. Sure to be the perfect Valentine’s treat for your special someone.
Bianchi, Hamilton & Kovalcheck Meet the Big Band
Tuesday, March 2, 2027, 8:00pm | Bijou Theatre
Drummer JEFF HAMILTON first earned an international reputation touring with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Monty Alexander and others. More recently, he’s been known as the leader of a variety of world-class ensembles from his own trios to the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. His latest project finds him paired with Hammond B-3 organist Pat Bianchi and guitarist (and UTK Music alum) Steve Kovalcheck to explore the possibilities of the classic organ trio. The entire trio travels to Knoxville to tangle with the big band in what promises to be an amazing evening of hard-swinging good times
Naples to New York with Pasquale Grasso
Tuesday, April 13, 2027, 8:00pm | Bijou Theatre
Italy’ s Campania region is renowned for stunning coastlines, mouthwatering cuisine, ancient ruins, incredible architecture and a long history of great art and music. But it was not particularly known as an incubator of jazz greatness, until guitarist PASQUALE GRASSO arrived in New York and began turning heads with an unprecedented new approach to the instrument. One of the heads that was turned belonged to NEA jazz master Pat Metheny, who called him “the greatest guitar player I’ve ever heard maybe in my entire life.” Pasquale will perform a set of music made famous by his musical heroes: Bud Powell and Charlie Parker, arranged for big band by his older brother Luigi, himself an internationally renowned musician.
A Swingin' Christmas with Patrick Bartley
Friday, December 11, 2026, 8:00pm | Tennessee Theatre
The hippest concert of the season. Sparkling arrangements of holiday favorites in the style of Ellington, Basie and other jazz greats. Saxophonist extraordinaire PATRICK BARTLEY joins the band along with other special guests. An event guaranteed to make your season bright!