It’s May! That means free music performances twice a week on Market Square, kicking off with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 3.
Jazz Tuesdays will continue from 8-10 p.m. every Tuesday through Aug. 30, with Marble City 5 providing the weekly cool jazz from the Bill Lyons Pavilion.
But if you love a wide range of music, be sure and mark your calendar: The Variety Thursdays concert series starts Thursday, May 5, and continues through June 30. From 7-9 p.m. on consecutive Thursdays, get a sampling of the wide variety of genres performed by local bands – from classical music to blues, from swing to Americana, from soft rock to country.
All concerts are free – and that includes parking, which is free after 6 p.m. at the City-owned Market Square, State Street and Locust Street garages, plus the privately-owned Walnut Street Garage.
There will be no alcohol or food sold on Market Square during the concerts, apart from what is available on the patios of restaurants. But concertgoers are invited to bring chairs or blankets to sit on the Square and enjoy the shows.
Please like and follow the Special Events Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/CityofKnoxvilleSpecialEvents, to stay updated on the bands and on any cancellations due to the weather.
Almost all of the Thursday concerts begin at 7 p.m. at the Bill Lyons Pavilion on Market Square. The lineup is as follows:
Thursday, May 5: SYMPHONY ON THE SQUARE
Hear the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra perform a concert of light pops music. Note the 7:30 p.m. start time for the KSO performance; in there’s rain, the concert will move to the Bijou Theatre.
Thursday, May 12: KELSEY’S WOODS
Combining equal parts of roots, country, folk and a little rock and roll, Kelsey’s Woods boasts four-part harmonies, interchangeable lead singers and all original songs.
Thursday, May 19: SCRUFFY CITY SYNCOPATERS
Go back in time as the Scruffy City Syncopaters play music from the late swing area, featuring post-World War II tunes.
Thursday, May 26: THE YOUNG FABLES
The Young Fables are a country music duo comprised of East Tennessee natives Laurel Wright and Wesley Lunsford.
Thursday, June 2: JAZZSPIRATIONS
Jazzspirations is a soulful, smooth mix of the two most heartfelt styles of music: Gospel and jazz!
Thursday, June 9: JOSH CANTRELL
Come enjoy local singer/songwriter Josh Cantrell and his Indie, folk-style music.
Thursday, June 16: LA FEVER
Bringing heat to modern pop music, with a twist of retro R & B, and soul – LaFever is sure to provide a fun night on the Square!
Thursday, June 23: ENSEMBLE SWING TIME
Come swing the night away with this 16-piece big band featuring original arrangements made famous by Glenn Miller, Harry James, the Dorsey Brothers and other great bands from the Swing Era.
Thursday, June 30: BLUE LINE BLUES (A BAND OF KPD OFFICERS)
There is a thin line between law enforcement and music when Blue Line Blues gets together to perform downhome blues and bluegrass tunes.
For more information visit www.Knoxvilletn.gov/concerts.
