Twelve years ago, Will Boyd of Orangeburg met Kelle Jolly, a Decatur, Ga., native, at South Carolina State University. They both loved jazz music and have been inducted into the South Carolina State University Hall of Fame for their commitment to and excellence in the genre.

Boyd, a saxophonist, and Jolly, a vocalist, never dreamed they would meet again after graduation, but they reconnected while living in Tennessee. And they never suspected that years after their first meeting at S.C. State, they would have a love story to share.

"I was living in Chattanooga, and Will was living in Knoxville," Jolly said. "A mutual friend suggested that we get together to perform the traditional jazz music we both enjoy.

"Before we even realized it, performing together evolved into spending time together and falling in love."

Today, Boyd and Jolly perform at various live music venues in and around Knoxville, including the Knoxville Museum of Art, Beck Cultural Center and Swank's Jazz Restaurant in Maryville.

The couple has also participated in the world-famous Muroran Jazz Cruise in Muroran, Japan -- a venue that would come into play in their story.

While the name might conjure up visions of lounging on a cruise ship while being entertained by jazz musicians, Jolly said that's not exactly the case.

"The Muroran Jazz Cruise is actually a day-long jazz concert that is held in a huge warehouse located in the downtown area of Muroran that is situated right by the water," she said. "The building seats more than 2,000 people, and the performers include everyone from local, teenage jazz students to world-renowned jazz greats such as Selena Jones and Sadao Watanabe. There are local food and craft vendors set up outside the warehouse, and everyone has a good time."

Muroran, Japan, is known for its jazz scene, Jolly said, and city leaders created the Muroran Jazz Cruise in an effort to rekindle its reputation and boost tourism. For their performance in 2006, Boyd and Jolly dressed in yakatas, or "summertime kimonos."

"Our Japanese friends took us to the mall to shop for yakatas," Jolly said. "We ended up in the section of the store where they sell formal and custom-made yakatas. The sales-lady was friendly and helpful, even though she didn't speak English. She insisted that Will and I put on the gold-sequin yakatas and was happy to see how much I loved them. She offered to let me wear the gold kimono at the jazz concert, and I did.

"On the day of the concert, I walked out on stage wearing the gold-spangled yakata, and all I heard were 'oohs' and 'ahhs' coming from the crowd."

While touring the Japanese city during that trip two years ago, Boyd and Jolly happened upon a replica of the Swan Bridge and learned about its ancient legend.

"According to legend, if you leave one of the placards with your name on it on the replica of the Swan Bridge, you will get married," Jolly said. "And so, Will and I began planning on getting married in Japan."

In what might be considered by some a twist of fate, the couple was selected by the Muroran Club of Knoxville and its sister city partner to perform at this year's eighth annual Muroran Jazz Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Each year, musicians participate in the musical and educational exchange to strengthen the relationship between the two cities, Jolly said. But this year's Muroran Jazz Cruise will be the first involving a wedding ceremony. Boyd and Jolly will exchange their wedding vows on Thursday, Aug. 21.

"A member of the Knoxville Club in Muroran is making all the arrangements for us," Jolly said. "She has secured the wedding location and the Swan Bridge as well as the officiator for the marriage ceremony. We will be wearing the traditional wedding kimono, but the ceremony will be a Christian ceremony" performed by a New Zealand missionary who has lived with his wife in Muroran for more than 50 years.

"Hopefully, there will be a flute and guitar player performing all the music, from jazz standards to hymns," she said.

Other details include a wedding reception at the Prince Hotel in downtown Muroran and a hometown reception in Tennessee when the couple returns to Knoxville.

"I am making a 1940s-style wedding gown of off-white lace to change into after the wedding at the Swan Bridge," Jolly said, adding that she also crafted her cake topper and designed the invitations for the Knoxville reception. "All of our musician friends will be at the reception, and I hope it's a real jam session."

Boyd said exchanging their wedding vows in Japan affirms their belief that God will answer prayers.

As the interview ended, Jolly dashed off to attend a cake testing in preparation of their upcoming wedding.

"One of our cakes will be made with green tea," the bride-to-be said. "Will really loves green tea."

T&D Features Writer Sonja Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at sgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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