Knoxville Jazz Orchestra

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1999 by trumpeter/composer/arranger Vance Thompson. It is a 501(c)3 non profit corporation whose mission is to promote jazz music through public performances, education initiatives, and commissioning new works by aspiring and established composers. As such, the KJO works in tandem with the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. Vance Thompson, founder and prime motivator of this ambitious endeavor, received a Master of Music degree from DePaul University with emphasis on jazz trumpet.