On Friday March 15, the Orangery will be hosting the full 13 piece Brad Walker Orchestra in the Phoenix ballroom. The event will begin at 7:30 with a Cocktail Pianist and a three Course Prix Fixe menu for one hour of dining and socializing. The menu will be available at www.orangeryknoxville.com . At the conclusion of the meal, The Brad Walker Orchestra will play a two hour performance for guests to dance and celebrate another memorable night together.

The Brad Walker Orchestra was started in 2003. Brad Walker, trombonist and leader, saw a need to fill in the gap of good big band, swing, and dance music in the South Eastern region.

 

Brad Walker started playing trombone at the age of 8 and began playing professionally at the age of 16 in local jazz and Dixieland groups. Later on Brad Walker played with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra led by Buddy Morrow and also the Ray Anthony Orchestra (Ray Anthony, famous bandleader and Playboy mansion favorite!) Brad learned a lot from his friends Ray Anthony and Buddy Morrow about the big band and swing business.

 

All the big bands had a ”Girl Singer” and the Brad Walker Orchestra has one of today’s best female big-band singers of our time, Valerie Duke. Ms. Duke, former lead female vocalist of the world famous Glenn Miller Orchestra, performs the songs made famous by the big band greats such as Rosemary Clooney, Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Helen O’Connel, Kitty Kallen, Ella and many others.

 

The Brad Walker Orchestra performs the music made famous by Glenn Miller, Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Ray Anthony, Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Harry James, and a variety of big band, swing, and dance favorites. Brad Walker’s Orchestra is the house band at the Cherokee Country Club in Knoxville, TN (Keeping the prior house band leader legacy on, Jerry Collins) and his live band also travels within the south-eastern region or wherever needed to play engagements. Brad Walker, Valerie Duke, and the Orchestra are known as one of today’s best big bands and especially known for their danceable beat!

 

The price for the event is $49 and reservations are required.