Old and new jazz aficionados shared lunch and song.

A tribute to some of jazz’s oldest and greatest was held by some of Knoxville’s newest on Wednesday afternoon in The Square Room.

The Knoxville Jazz Orchestra sets up the lunches the first Wednesday of every month. This month’s concert was held as a tribute to Dave Brubeck, a legendary jazz pianist and composer, and Paul Desmond, accomplished jazz alto saxophonist and composer. Located behind Café 4 in Market Square, audience members were seated starting at noon where lunch and drinks where provided.

Band members honoring the fabled duo included reed instrumentalist Bob Knapp on alto saxophone and Jason Day on piano. Other band members included Hunter Deacon on drums, Clint Mullican on bass and Wesley Lunsford on guitar.

The concert began with a simple introduction by Knapp who throughout the afternoon offered up tidbits of information on the lives of Brubeck and Desmond.

“Nothing like starting with one of the hardest songs written for the beginning of a concert,” Knapp said after finishing a Desmond solo during their first number.

Brubeck and Desmond were both influential artists in the ’50s, regarded as the “cool jazz era.” Both artists made strides for their respective instruments and worked together in the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Brubeck was able to play music and compose while suffering from sight difficulties, and Desmond, a well-known hustler and wild boy, was able to quickly become one of the greatest saxophonists, though he originally played the violin starting at a young age. In fact, he hadn’t picked up the saxophone until he had entered college.

The music itself was accompanied with rounds of applause and whoops and hollers at every opportunity. Songs consisted of melodic solos on the piano honoring Brubeck and sassy saxophone moments. There was an also intense drum moment by Deacon and a well-received guitar solo performed by Lunsford.

Their final number included a piece called “The Duke” written by Brubeck which he had dedicated to one of his greatest influences and legendary jazz pianist Duke Ellington. When the song had finished, Knapp noted the event was officially over but he opted to play one more song.

Once the encore had finished, the band was given a standing ovation and much praise. Audience member Brad Hill, sophomore in finance, appreciated the fresh experience.

“I had never been in The Square Room. It had a nice atmosphere,” Hill said. “I heard a lot of tunes that I recognized from my (jazz) class and also just from listening to jazz before. It was nice hearing their take on it.”