The Knoxville Music Boosters will hold a Jazz Night in Knoxville live music event on Friday.

The event will be at the Knoxville Performing Arts Center and include a free will offering pasta supper at 5:30 followed by a concert at 6:30, which will feature the Knoxville middle school jazz band, the high school chamber singers, and the high school jazz one and two groups. The Knoxville High School jazz program has had success this year placing high at many different competitions, and they also earned a trip to the Iowa Jazz Championships on April 7th. Director Zach Collins says this type of music is a great way for students to express themselves.

“What I love about jazz education is that every musician has the opportunity to express their individuality so in concert band the kids love the music but you’re sitting in a section with several other people who are all playing the same part and you have to sound perfectly the same all the time. In jazz, kids have the opportunity to stand up and get on the mic and play whatever comes to their heart so they have the opportunity to express their individuality.”

The event Friday is also aimed to be state jazz championships send off.