Bass Day
This event is open to students, professionals, and all who consider themselves a part of the greatest community in music….the bass community!
The UT Bass Day will feature master classes, bass choir, and a special closing concert.
Events will take place on the UT campus in the Sandra G. Powell Recital Hall, Natalie L. Haslam Music Center on Saturday, February 17, 2024. Bass Day is free, but registration is required.
CLICK HERE for an interactive map of the Natalie L. Haslam Music Center and visitor parking lots.
Schedule for 2024
10:00 a.m. | Check-in and Warm-up |
10:30 a.m. | Rehearsal |
11:30 a.m. | Mini session 1 (technique, walking bass lines, the role in bass in jazz, listening, etc.) |
12:30 p.m. | Lunch |
1:30 p.m. | Rehearsal (orch. or bass quartet/quintet music) |
2:30 p.m. | Masterclass/studio class |
3:30 p.m. | Wrapping your ears around the music |
4:30 p.m. | Mini session 2 (technique, walking bass lines, the role in bass in jazz, listening, etc.) |
5:00 p.m. | Dinner |
6:00 p.m. | Travel to James R. Cox Auditorium (across campus) |
6:30 – 7 p.m. | UTK Symphony Orchestra sound check |
7:30 p.m. | UT Symphony Orchestra Concert |
Guest Artists
Jon Hamar
Jon Hamar is a versatile artist whose ability to find a tasteful, unique voice in any musical situation has made him a staple in the music scene. Hamar’s work ethic and discipline have kept him busy over his career that spans more than twenty years.
He was born and raised in Kennewick, Washington and grew up in a musical family. He began playing the string bass at age 11 and continued through public school playing in orchestra, jazz band and the local youth symphony.
Jon earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Double Bass Performance from Eastern Washington University under the tutelage of Russian bassist Roma Vayspapir. While in Spokane Hamar played in university ensembles as well as the Spokane Symphony and the Bob Curnow Big Band. Hamar continued on to the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York where he graduated with a Master’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Media in 2001. While at Eastman, he studied the bass with Jeff Campbell and James VanDemark and worked closely with Harold Danko, Fred Sturm and Clay Jenkins.
Jon has performed with Ernestine Anderson, Benny Golson, Terell Stafford, Pete Christlieb the Jeff Hamilton Trio, and the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
In 2012, he joined the faculty at the Centrum Jazz Workshop under artistic director John Clayton and, in 2015, joined the faculty at the University of Tennessee. Hamar is currently assistant professor of bass at the Nathalie L. Haslam College of Music in Knoxville, Tennessee.
He began performing with the Jeff Hamilton Trio in July of 2018 and recently toured Europe with the Clayton Hamilton Jazz Orchestra under the direction of Jeff Hamilton and John Clayton, featuring renowned vocalist Cecil McLaren Salvant.
Hotel Information
Below is some information about hotels close to campus. Some of them offer special “UT” rates. Note: Online sites such as priceline and hotels.com might provide better deals.
- Hilton Garden Inn
1706 Cumberland Avenue
865-437-5500
The Closest hotel to the Music Building. Easily Walkable. - Sheraton Four Points
1109 White Avenue
(865) 971-4663 - Crowne Plaza
401 Summit Hill Drive
(865) 522-2600
(need to ask for UT courtesy rate, call ASAP or the rate could go up depending on availability) - Hampton Inn
618 West Main Street
(865) 522-5400
(need to ask for UT work related courtesy rate) - Hilton Downtown
501 West Church Ave.
(865) 523-2300
(need to ask for UT student/faculty rate) - Holiday Inn – Downtown
525 Henley Street
(865) 522-2800 - Holiday Inn at Kirby Road
1315 Kirby Rd. (Papermill Area)
(865) 584-3911 - Marriott
500 Hill Avenue SE
(865)-637-1234 - Maplehurst Inn Bed & Breakfast
800 West Hill Avenue
(865) 523-7773 - Knoxville Hostel
404 E 4th Ave.
Knoxville, TN 37917
(865) 546-8090
(Community dorm-style house, price is $17 per bed.)