Music performances filling the air in Knoxville and the Smoky Mountains
By Jeaneane Payne

Several upcoming events will fill the air with various types of music in Knoxville and the Great Smoky Mountains. From mountain fiddling to jazz, an organ concert at the historic Tennessee theatre, rhythm and blues, and old-time country blues and western swing, there's something for everyone.

Performances at "Alive After Five" feature two great groups in September. The Smoky Mountain Heritage Center brings bluegrass and Irish music on stage. The Knoxville Symphony and the Knoxville Jazz Band have exceptional music performances planned, and the magestic organ at the historic Tennessee Theatre will be played once again by a renowned artist.

Soul Connection will perform at 'Alive After Five' on September 21, 2012

• Knoxville Jazz Orchestra presents "Benny Goodman & Beyond with Clarinetist Ken Peplowski & the KJO" - The Swing Era of the 1930s was the height of jazz music's popularity. Of the hundreds of band leaders across the country, Benny Goodman was the one billed as "The King of Swing."

• Jelani Eddington Organ Concert at the Tennessee Theatre - During the years that Jelani Eddington has given concerts, he has easily established himself as one of the most prominent and sought-after artists on the concert circuit. Jelani has performed in most of the major concert venues throughout the United States, has toured extensively abroad, and has received numerous awards and recognitions, including his selection as the 2001 Theatre Organist of the Year.

• Y'uns performing at Heritage Center's Fall Concert Series - Audience members are warned to listen at their own risk. Side effects may include giddiness, lightheadedness, lightheartedness, nonstop laughter, and an uncontrollable desire to quit your day job and/or take-up the kazoo.

• Alive After Five, September 21 - Featuring the rhythm & blues and rockin' soul music of Soul Connection, the band that holds the single-show attendance record at Alive After Five.

• World renowned pianist Orion Weiss to be guest artist at Knoxville Symphony Orchestra's season kickoff - "Ravishing Rachmaninoff," the first Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Masterworks Concert of the 2012–2013 season will feature the music of Rachmaninoff, Brahms, Copland and KSO Maestro Lucas Richman.

• Four Leaf Peat performing Irish music at Heritage Center's Fall Concert Series - Four Leaf Peat (FLP) was born out of the Irish traditional music scene in Knoxville, and is dedicated to honoring and preserving the spirit of Irish music.

• Alive After Five, September 28 - Ian Thomas & The Band of Drifters. Thomas delivers a captivating, raw live performance and distinctive sound from his original compositions on guitar, harmonica and kazoo.

Published September 14, 2012