Story and photography by Liz Lyons

At the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra’s second annual spring fundraiser, Jazz and Cocktails, guests gathered at the river-front home of Bob Lederer for cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Bistro by the Tracks. The theme, Blues on the River, was brought to life with the sounds of Matt Coker’s Hammond B-3 Organ Trio.

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra was founded in 1999 by trumpeter, arranger and composer Vance Thompson. The organization is dedicated to growing new audiences for jazz music in East Tennessee through entertaining and enlightening concerts as well as educational activities such as the Knoxville Jazz Youth Orchestra.