KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Joy of Music School, a nonprofit organization providing free music lessons and instruments to financially disadvantaged youth, announces Juilliard Jazz for Joy, a unique and inspiring evening of music.

An extraordinary former student of an after-school free music program for disadvantaged youth does something that shows his outsized character: He’s giving back.

Pianist Taber Gable is a graduate of West High School, with an impressive musical trajectory. First he graduated from Knoxville’s Joy of Music School, having benefited for years from its free lessons and instruments, and its all-volunteer teaching faculty. He immediately won a full music scholarship to the University of Hartford, in Connecticut, graduating in 2014. He was then launched to the pinnacle of musical study, the Juilliard School in New York, winning a scholarship to the Juilliard Jazz Studies program led by Wynton Marsalis.

As he completed his first year in New York, the young man contacted his old school back in Knoxville. “I would like to give back,” he said. Although this humble young man is not (yet) rich and famous, he already has some resources in abundance, namely talent, professional drive, and a musical imagination beyond compare. So he offered to bring three of his musical colleagues from New York to Knoxville to play a concert to benefit the organization that gave him so much as a boy and a young man.

Taber says, “my motivation was to give back and show appreciation and gratitude to all those who have supported me.” He continues, “In the last five years I haven't had much time to be home or show the benefits that my schooling has granted me, so I figured it was time. It was also a brief chance for me to get away from the big city and come back home and bring along my musical friends who have become family away from home, and show them my Tennessee home.” Joining Taber are drummer, Jonathan Barber, Guitarist Andrew Renfroe (a classmate of Taber’s at Juilliard), and bass player, Lesly Valbrun.

The Taber Gable Quartet plays at Juilliard Jazz for Joy from their hearts of gratitude. Taber—the first Joy of Music School student to attend Juilliard—wants everyone to support the school that provided him his foundation, momentum, and opportunity, so that more and more children can take part and see their lives changed through the art and discipline of music.

This historic evening of food, fun and jazz is hosted by beloved radio personality and musician, Hallerin Hilton Hill of Newstalk 98.7 WOKI. Enjoy exquisite fare from Holly’s Eventful Dining. Event sponsor is Clayton Bank, with additional support from World Travel.

Juilliard Jazz for Joy takes place on Thursday, July 9, 2015, at 6:30 p.m. at The Emporium Center, 100 South Gay Street, Knoxville, Tenn.

Tickets range from $25 to $125. Top level tickets include a private reception afterward with Taber and his friends. Tickets available by calling 865-525-6806, or online at http://bit.ly/1GAodFl.

 

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The Joy of Music School provides free music lessons and instruments at no cost to hundreds of disadvantaged, at-risk children in the Knoxville area. All 100 teachers are volunteers. There are over 50 children on the waiting list. The need for teachers has never been greater. Join in, won’t you?

 

 

Frank