It’s rather commonplace to find music and entertainment when you enter Market Square in the warm months. But there is a method to the music, at least on Tuesdays and Thursdays this summer. The concerts are free thanks to the City of Knoxville; lawn chairs and blankets are helpful.
Tuesdays from 8-10 PM through August are “Jazz Tuesdays” in which the Greg Tardy Quartet, formerly known as the Marble City 5, has the stage. (**Jazz with Mark Boling’s Trio Life on June 19)
Thursdays from 7-9 PM in May and June are “Variety Thursdays” with a different ensemble offering a different musical journey each week.
Here are the schedule and descriptions courtesy of the Downtown Knoxville CBID.
Thursday, May 24: The Ville Band (7 to 9 PM)
“The Ville covers all of the best music from the 90’s forward including hip hop, pop, rock and country. Their originals are fresh and clever in lyrics and delivery.”
Tuesday, May 29: Jazz with the Greg Tardy Quartet (8 to 10 PM)
Thursday, May 31: Frontier Band (7 to 9 PM)
“Frontier is a harmony-driven rock band with a 70’s feel. They put their own unique twist on a variety of covers and perform their own original songs, which have upbeat melodies and meaningful lyrics.”
Tuesday, June 5: Jazz with the Greg Tardy Quartet (8 to 10 PM)
Thursday, June 7: Ensemble Swing Time (7 to 9 PM)
“The Ensemble Swing Time is a 17-piece big band specializing in classic big band swing and feature original arrangements as well as those made famous by Glenn Miller, the Dorsey Brothers and other great bands from the Swing Era.”
Tuesday, June 12: Jazz with the Greg Tardy Quartet (8-10 PM)
Thursday June 14: Square on the Square (7 to 9 PM)
“The Hellgramites will be on Market Square Stage getting the crowd involved in a fun evening of square dancing!”
Tuesday, June 19: Jazz with Mark Boling’s Trio Life (8 to 10 PM)
“TRIO LIFE originated in Knoxville several decades ago, performing together in many styles and contexts—New Orleans, blues, rock, funk, free, fusion, bop, and big band.”
Thursday, June 21: Josh Cotrell (7 to 9 PM)
“Josh Cottrell is a singer-songwriter from Knoxville. Musical influences include such artists as Dave Barnes, Matthew Perryman Jones, Peter Bradley Adams, Erick Baker, and more.”
Tuesday, June 26: Jazz with the Greg Tardy Quartet (8 to 10 PM)
Thursday, June 28: Bary Jolly’s Jimmy Buffett Tribute (7 to 9 PM)
“Bary Jolly’s Island Party show is a must-see experience for all Parrotheads! Live covers of Jimmy Buffett’s best songs and crowd favorites. Songs like Fins, Cheese Burger in Paradise, Volcano and of course Margaritaville just to name a few.”
Tuesdays from July 3 through August 28: Jazz With the Greg Tardy Quartet (8 to 10 PM)
