Frog & Toad's Dixie Stomp performing at Alive after Five

KNOXVILLE -- The Knoxville Museum of Art's Alive After Five series of live music performances will feature Frog & Toad's Dixie Stomp on Friday, June 29, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm.

Frog & Toad's Dixie Stomp specializes in performing authentic, energetic renditions of classic Dixieland, Gypsy Jazz and original music. Led by Jason Thompson's husky bass and baritone saxophones, the group includes Chad Volkers on guitar, Jason Day on piano, Alonzo Lewis on drums, Will Boyd on clarinet, and Jamie Warren on trombone, and for this performance, a special guest vocalist. Their take on the classic Dixieland tunes is new and refreshing as a result of the group's embrace and utilization of bebop, modern and free jazz techniques within the Dixieland framework, and the group's unique sound is further augmented by the fact that they operate without a bassist. What is most appealing about the group is their ability to sell out to the emotionality of the moment and the fun-loving nature of Dixieland music, rather than get wrapped up on the intellectuality and complexity of the tune. And then of course there is Thompson and that bass saxophone. He has resurrected this ancient brass giant and blows furious life into it. You have to hear it and see it in person to believe it!

Alive After Five is a unique live music series presented on thirty or more Fridays per year in four seasonal series. The programs take place in the smoke-free, casually elegant setting of the Great Hall in the Knoxville Museum of Art. There is a live band on stage, seating at tables, two cash bars, food from area restaurants, free freshly popped popcorn, free portrait drawing, free parking, and a licensed therapeutic masseuse available. Audience members can enjoy listening to music, dancing, and browsing the museum's art galleries.

Admission to the summer series premier of Alive After Five is $8 for general admission and $4 for museum members and college students with ID. Ages 17 and under are admitted free. Alive After Five is sponsored by Cherokee Distributing Company, East Tennessee PBS, Metro Pulse, WDVX-89.9FM, and WhatsHotKnox.com.

The Knoxville Museum of Art is located at 1050 Worlds Fair Park Drive, Knoxville, TN 37916.

Published June 19, 2012