#Terell Stafford

[jazzandother-blog]

Reverence

Review by Matt Collar

Alto saxophonist Charles McPherson celebrates the ebullient spirit of his mentor, the late pianist Barry Harris, on 2024's Reverence. Roughly a decade younger than Harris (who died in 2021 at age 91), McPherson performed and studied with the legendary pianist, teacher, and notoriously comprehensive intellectual during his formative teen years growing up in Detroit. The relationship not only gave him a solid foundation in the fundamentals of melody, harmony, and rhythm, but reinforced his passion for the bebop jazz building blocks set forth by Charlie Parker, his main stylistic influence. While there are no specific Harris compositions featured, the album certainly embodies the kind of intellectual, yet still passionate style the pianist championed. Recorded live at Smoke Jazz & Supper Club in New York, the album finds McPherson leading the same group featured on 2020's Jazz Dance Suites, including trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Jeb Patton, bassist David Wong, and drummer Billy Drummond. Together, they dive into a handful of the saxophonist's originals, including the minor-blues opener "Surge" (which features a fiery solo from Stafford) and the swinging waltz "Blues for Lonnie in Three," whose spritely trumpet and sax melody evokes the classic Clifford Brown and Max Roach albums of the '50s. We also get two standards, including a tender reading of "Old Folks" and a soulful take on "Come Rain or Come Shine" that showcases McPherson's throaty, play-from-the-heart style. All of this leads to the album-closing "Ode to Barry," a sparkling Latin jazz homage to the pianist. Over 60 years into his career, McPherson ascended the ranks of jazz master long ago, and finds his own creative voice alongside the work of his idols Harris and Parker. Reverence honors that journey, and McPherson plays with the kind of hard-swinging, cogent improvisational style that echoes their spirit.

Source: allmusic.com

[plakatierenverboten]

Terell Stafford: Between Two Worlds

[jazzdailyblog]

Eric Reed: A Brilliant Voice in Contemporary Jazz

Introduction: Artists with the natural capacity to enthrall listeners with their virtuosity, ingenuity, and spiritual expression may be found throughout the vast jazz world. Famous pianist and composer Eric Reed is one of those rare musicians who has left a lasting impression on the genre. Reed has made a name for himself in modern jazz thanks to his superb skill, extensive musical…

[dudewhoabides]

One Finger Snap w/ Emmet Cohen, Terell Stafford & Dick Oatts

[mynoisycollectionstarlight]

Samara Joy – vocals

Kendric McCallister – tenor saxophone, arrangements

Pasquale Grasso – guitar

Ben Paterson – piano

Kenny Washington – drums

David Wong – double bass

Terell Stafford – trumpet, flugelhorn

Donovan Austin – trombone

____

Matt Pierson – producer

Mark Wilder – mastering

Will Bennett – recording assistance

Chris Allen – recording, mixing

Sampson Alvarado – recording assistance

Ryan Rogers – creative direction, design

Meredith Truax – photography

-

℗ A Verve Records release.;

℗ 2022 Dear Beverly Music

[rich4a1]

Danny Jonokuchi Big Band A DECADE

DANNY JONOKUCHI BIG BAND A DECADE Bandstand Presents Danny Jonokuchi, trumpet/flugelhorn/arranger/vocals/composer; Jeb Patton, piano; Samuel Harris, upright bass; Kevin Congleton, drums; Victor Pablo, auxiliary percussion; SAXOPHONES: Christopher McBride, Andrew Gould & Chris Oatts, alto sax; Jon Beshay & Chris Lewis, tenor sax; Andrew Gutauskas, baritone saxophone. TRUMPET: Terell Stafford, Nick…

[jazzplusplus]

Terell Stafford (tp), Jesse Davis (as), Dado Moroni (p), Giorgios Antoniou (b), Alvin Queen (dr)

[didierleclair]

[ondasyletras]

Terell Stafford - topic - Ms shirley scott.

[mostlymonk]

Epistrophy

Anton Schwartz Quintet  with Terell Stafford

Anton Schwartz – sax Terell Stafford – trumpet Josh Nelson – piano John Shifflett – bass Lorca Hart – drums

[diyeipetea]

Terell Stafford & Bruce Barth Trio (XXIV Festival Internacional Jazz San Javier. 2022-07-20) por José Antonio García López y Pedro Sáez [Concierto de jazz]

Terell Stafford & Bruce Barth Trio (XXIV Festival Internacional Jazz San Javier. 2022-07-20) por José Antonio García López y Pedro Sáez [Concierto de jazz]

XXIV Festival Internacional Jazz San Javier Lugar: Auditorio Parque Almansa Fecha: 20 de julio de 2022 Grupo: Terell Stafford & Bruce Barth Trio Terell Stafford: trompeta. Bruce Barth: piano. Mark Hodgson: contrabajo. Stephen Keogh: batería. Sara Dowling: vocalista. Aún quedaban conciertos y sorpresas en el XXIV Festival Internacional Jazz San Javier. Uno de ellos estuvo protagonizado por el…

[zemerluani]

Joy to the World

Tim Warfield

Tim Warfield – soprano sax Terell Stafford – trumpet Eric Wheeler – bass Chris Beck – drums Neil Podgurski – piano

[riffsstrides]

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

Overtime: Music of Bob Brookmeyer

Planet Arts, 2014

Nick Marchione: trumpet, flugelhorn; Tanya Darby: trumpet, flugelhorn; Terell Stafford: trumpet, flugelhorn; Scott Wendholt: trumpet, flugelhorn; Dick Oatts: alto, soprano sax, flute; Billy Drewes: alto, soprano sax, flute; Rich Perry: tenor sax, flute; Ralph Lalama: tenor sax, flute, clarinet; Gary Smulyan: baritone sax; Frank Basile: bass clarinet (3, 5, 8); David Peel: French horn (1, 5, 6, 8); John Mosca: trombone; Luis Bonilla: trombone; Jason Jackson: trombone, bass trombone; Douglas Purviance: bass trombone; Jim McNeely: piano; David Wong: bass; John Riley: drums; Mike Truesdell: percussion (1, 5, 8).

While it may be hard to believe, the reality is that the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra is nearing the end of its first half-century together. Formed in 1966 as the Thad Jones -Mel Lewis Orchestra, it continued on after Jones' departure as the Mel Lewis Orchestra, then as the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra after Lewis' death in February 1990. During many of those years, the ensemble was enriched by the compositions and arrangements of the renowned Bob Brookmeyer (1929-2011), a master craftsman who always marched to his own drummer and let his unerring instincts guide his heart and his hand. OverTime, which honors not only Brookmeyer's considerable talents but those of the orchestra as well, was years in the making and almost ready for the green light while Brookmeyer was still alive. Three years later, having added some finishing touches (including the buoyant opener, "The Big Time"), the VJO has designed a heartwarming celebration that would surely have pleased even such a diehard perfectionist as their late taskmaster. Half of the eight selections were written in the early '80s when Brookmeyer, the orchestra's original lead trombonist, returned after a ten-year absence to become its music director. As it turns out, the first chart he submitted upon his return was the soulful "Skylark," a showpiece for alto saxophonist Dick Oatts that is generally considered to be one of the more exemplary arrangements for a large ensemble in the annals of jazz. "Skylark" is reproduced here, and once again Oatts is the perceptive soloist. Also written in the early '80s but never before recorded by the VJO are "XYZ," a skittering sequel to Brookmeyer's classic "ABC Blues," and "Sad Song," another vehicle for Oatts (on flute) that closes the album. "Suite for Three," a galvanic pastiche that features, in turn, Oatts, trumpeter Scott Wendholt and tenor Rich Perry, was composed later, while "At the Corner of Ralph and Gary," a happy-go-lucky swinger that hearkens back to his early years in Kansas City, was the last manuscript completed by Brookmeyer. The breezy solos on "Ralph and Gary" are by tenor Ralph Lalama and baritone Gary Smulyan, on "XYZ" by tenor Perry, drummer John Riley, bassist David Wong, pianist Jim McNeely, soprano Billy Drewes, trumpeter Terell Stafford and trombonist John Mosca. "Sad Song" is precisely that, a snail-like dirge underscored by Oatts' gossamer flute, McNeely's evocative piano and a wordless chorus. From start to finish, OverTime presents the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra at its best, playing with passion and panache to honor its fallen leader. And even though he's gone, Brookmeyer's impact is pervasive, as he gives the orchestra meaty songs and charts to digest. A shame he couldn't be here to appreciate the finished product, but even without him the VJO moves ever onward and upward. Brookmeyer wouldn't have had it any other way.

Jack Bowers in All About Jazz

[arthurwrightart]

Last Night a Great Night Creating & Hanging out with Music Promoter @lgentry266 Singer @bridget.skaggs Photographer @elliot.mandel.photo at The Green Mill Cocktail Lounge #TheGreenMillCocktailLounge TIM WARFIELD ORAN BAND Performing Tonight, Saturday 8pm – midnight Tim Warfield – sax Terell Stafford – trumpet Pat Bianchi – Hammond B-3 organ Roland Guerrero – percussion Dana Hall – drums $15 Cover LISTENING TO DANA HALL ON DRUMS 7 inches by 5 inches Pen on Paper GETITWRIGHT.COM #JazzInstiuteOfChicago #logancenterforthearts #hydeparkjazzsociety #jazz #greenmilljazzclub @greenmilljazz.com (at Green Mill Cocktail Lounge) https://www.instagram.com/p/BzlaSNEJlU0/?igshid=15joyq1rs0osh

[joanlluisrubio]

BRUCE BARTH QUARTET featuring TERELL STAFFORD Terell Stafford-trompeta Bruce Barth-piano Mark Hodgosn-contrabajo Stephen Keogh-bateria 🎺🎹🥁🎶🎼 Playing “Afternoon in Lleida” (en Teatro del Escorxador) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgFyrE9jdq-/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[lonelypond]

Idol Protection Program: Jazz

Love Live, NicoMaki, 2.8K

Liberties taken, fun had, jazz played. Enjoy! Takes place after Maki’s 18th birthday, related to events in the “Birthday Moments” chapter.

Jazz

“So is Umi acting weird?” Nico’s voice was a little less chirpy than usual, Kotori noticed, but just thought the newly minted Top, Number One spot on the charts seizing Idol was exhausted by prep for her second major tour.

“No, she’s been telling me all about Honoka’s…” And Kotori’s voice trailed off as she realized, yes, Umi was acting weird, volunteering hour long video chats worth of information about everyone else in her life and practically nothing about her. So when Kotori continued, her voice had an edge. “Why do you ask, Nico-chan?”

“Probably nothing,” Nico sounded like she was settling back into pillows, “Maki just barely picks up the phone to talk, all texting, just answering questions...I know she’s taking a crazy courseload, but…” Nico sighed, remembering how hyperfocused her now wife would get when an idea took over her head. “This just reminded me of when she and Umi were stuck on a song, back in high school.”

Kotori hummed, considering, “I could ask Honoka.”

“It’s not a big deal.” Nico tried to play it off, but Kotori sensed genuine worry. This was Nico’s first tour as a chart topper and she was spending 18 hours a day, in an isolated location, working on choreography and music. Nico could always tell what Maki was thinking if she was anywhere near Maki, but marriage at a distance had obstacles, Maki sharing less as she spent more time alone.

“I’m sure everything’s fine, Nico.”

Nico sounded a little brighter after Kotori’s assurance, “So how’s the weather in Paris?”

“Gorgeous.”

“I’ll have to get them to schedule time for a visit. Nico’s wardrobe needs a celebrity upgrade.”

“Oh, you have to, Nico-chan. I’ve found the cutest little shops.” And as her friend was sounding cheerier, Kotori settled into her chaise for some real fashion talk.

Umi waited for Maki outside the Shibuya apartment Maki and Nico had moved in to on Maki’s 18th birthday and after Nico’s proposal. It was cosy, not nearly as pink as Umi expected, at least not in the kitchen and living room areas. The art on the walls was tasteful, not flashy so Umi suspected Maki had won the decorating battle there. Maki rewrapped her scarf around her neck, tucking the ends into the neck of her camel haired coat and nodded her head at Umi, “Sorry for making you wait.”

“We’re still on schedule.” Umi glanced at her silver and black Octavia watch, a graduation present from Kotori. It kept time in two time zones so Umi was always aware of when in the day Kotori was in France.”

“I had to drop off a paper and the Professor kept talking.” Maki shoved her hands deep in her pockets, “This was too many classes.”

Umi made a sympathetic noise.

“How’s Kotori?” Maki wondered.

“She seems fine. I talked to her last night.”

“Does she suspect anything?” Maki asked.

“I don’t see why she would, Maki.” Umi’s voice took on its strictest tone, “To that point, keeping important milestones from our loved ones is not a good habit to get into.”

Sidled against a building corner, but close enough to eavesdrop, orange hair completely covered by a black beanie, blue eyes behind sunglasses, Honoka fist pumped in agreement, startling an elderly man who nearly turned into her. When Umi glanced back toward the commotion, Honoka slid down the wall. Let them get ahead again. Then she would find out where they were going and report back to Kotori.

It was here, the night. Maki had her tuxedo jacket pressed and a car ordered. She could have driven, but with how nervous she was, getting dropped off and picked up was a far smarter option. Rin and Hanayo had offered to accompany her, but Maki had kicked Rin off the newlywed couch last night, insisting she needed solitude for preparation. Rin, as her best friend, pretended to believe her, while texting her every half hour with silly cat piano gifs and videos so Maki wouldn’t just be staring at her phone or her music.

Nico would be upset, Maki knew, even though Maki had Hanayo set up to record every note on an unobtrusive smartphone, but Nico was rehearsing and...well, it was complicated, everything was complicated, school was too much and Maki had found a piano in a rehearsal room and started to channel the jazz she was listening to at home, instrumental, trumpets, Terell Stafford, becoming fascinated by taking the melting, mellower notes of the best, tenderest horn players and wrapping piano wires around that...she’d never done anything like that, and after a manic late night on espresso, where did our creativity go session with Umi, who was experimenting with Western forms of poetry, they’d decided to write a few more songs together. If Nico were here, this would be a production, a fuss, everyone invited, not one anonymous Saturday night at the Jazz Spot Intro, on a piano shoved back in the corner of a tiny, tiny basement bar.

Maki, linen shirt already sticking to her skin, removed her jacket, settled into the piano, half turned away from the audience, music handy if she needed a reminder. Umi sat in the front row, with Rin and Hanayo, Umi prim and proper, hands folded, Hanayo leaning forward, Rin alternating which leg was going to bounce her chair across the floor. Maki gave them a quick smile, then fingers extended, rolled into the first piece, entitled “Ruby Smile.” Umi hadn’t written a poem for that one, Maki had needed no other prompt than the woman who always inspired her...with her energy, her love, her smile, her stubbornness, her caring, her dedication, her glow...Maki grinned, Nico in her mind, and the tune turned as lively as its spark. Maki could almost tell Nico how she felt, some nights, but shoulders swaying, eyes half closed, fingers caressing the keys...without a Nico to touch, this was how she could get her feelings across, the ones that always caught in her chest or were twisted silently into her hair.

Applause from the audience, Maki could feel them paying more attention. Umi had only offered her the next poem if she would sing it as well, so Maki cleared her throat, aware of the increasing scrutiny from her audience but letting the piano claim all of her attention. And so began “inner wind of beauty.” So very Umi.

By the end of Maki’s set, other musicians had joined in, one on guitar, one on sax, someone stepped into the drum kit, and they had ventured from Maki’s originals to jazz standards. Maki was following the guitarist who had led them into “Night and Day” when hands slid across her shoulders, a weighted touch very familiar to her skin and she jumped, earning a glare from the drummer, who ducked his head at a response Maki couldn’t see from the person behind her. She looked to the left, caught the twisted gold band of the ring matching hers on the hand sliding slowly down her chest and her heart skipped ahead of the beat as her fingers recovered from the fumble. Nico’s very throaty whisper of “you are the one” brought the blushing and accelerated both the pianist and the tempo. Nico shoved in between Maki and the wall on the piano bench, shoulder touching Maki’s, back to the piano, movie spinster looking, black, cateye glasses perched on her nose -- Maki nearly ruined the song then, as Nico’s eyes twinkled at her, lips blowing one perfect kiss before Nico looked away. The song finished and Maki’s hands fell to the keys, as the musicians around her began another song she wasn’t hearing at all. All she could hear was her heart and Nico’s humming. She glanced over, Nico was in a terribly business-like black suit, with her hair falling nearly to her waist...had it really gotten that long? Nico noticed Maki had turned away from music and stretched out a leg, maybe not such a business like suit, Maki thought, that was an awful lot of leg, especially for Nico. Then she smiled at the joke, glad she hadn’t said it out loud and the spell was broken and she was here and Nico was here and Maki spun around so she was facing the same way as Nico, took her hand and pulled her off the bench, one kiss, feeling Nico’s hand slide into her hair, teasing tingles on her neck at the hairline, and then she pulled Nico to the bar.

“What’s with the glasses, Nico-chan? I nearly ruined the song.” Maki grumbled.

Nico giggled, pushing the glasses up her nose, “Nico is trying new disguise strategies. Cocoa’s been watching Supergirl.”

Maki looked puzzled.

Nico laughed, “See, glasses, Nico is the mysterious yet super cute Mrs. Nishikino, who swooped off with an hospital heiress.” Then both hands to her forehead in THAT gesture, “Nico Nico Ni” followed by a dramatic swipe of the glasses off, “Nico is Super Nico Ni, Number One Idol in the Universe.”

“Give me those.” Maki grabbed for the glasses and ended up nose to nose with Nico, a much better deal. Nico slid them onto Maki’s nose, “And now, you’re the lovely Mrs. Yazawa, genius piano prodigy and composer, no relation to the notoriously reclusive and grumpy Nishikino Maki, heiress and over educated doctor to be.” Nico kissed Maki on the nose, “She stalks me, you know.”

“Ha. I think that it’s Mrs. Nishikino who is stalking me, since I never told you…” And Maki, warned by the downward trend of Nico’s agile left eyebrow, just let her sentence dwindle.

And then Nico bounced right back to cheerful, as the bartender approached, “We had Honoka stalk you.” And as Maki absorbed that, Nico ordered, “A virgin bloody mary for my talented wife and a club soda for me.”

Umi, Hanayo, and Rin came back to the bar, joined by Honoka, “Hey, Maki! That was awesome. Umi was explaining about jazz. I’m going to borrow some albums. Next time, I want to sing something.”

Maki laughed as she found herself in the middle of a group hug. Honoka really did have a knack for making her solo piano time something more.

“Nico is glad you’re writing again, Umi. Write Nico an Idol song sometime.” Nico leaned her head on Umi’s shoulders, “The royalties would be worth it.”

“Art is not an endeavor to be initiated for worldly gain.” Umi's voice echoed in a musical pause.

Nico shrugged and leaned back against the bar, her hand in Maki’s, “Have you seen what Parisian wedding gowns cost?”

Umi paled. “Perhaps I could consider it, as an act of friendship.”

Maki felt more content than she had in months, with Nico by her side, surrounded by friends, her fingers sanded by and still warm from the ridges worn in a set of piano keys. She pulled Nico in for a hug, letting her hand slide to her wife’s waist as she enjoyed her drink. Then two more voices intruded, “Thank you for inviting us, Nico.” Her mother smiled at Nico while Maki’s father met his daughter’s gaze, then nervously glanced away.

Maki tensed, but Nico hugged her, whispering, “Give them a minute, then we’ll go home” before dragging the rest of the μ's back to a table, as she and Umi compared recent Kotori chatter.

“Mama, Papa.” Maki put her glass down. It thumped solidly into the bar.

“Congratulations on your wedding.” Her mother said, pointing to the two rings on Maki’s finger.

“Thank you. We’re doing very well.” Maki crossed her arms, irked at Nico, and still furious with her parents.

“I’m glad you never gave up the piano.” Her father spoke quickly, his voice low, as he looked to where Nico had led the others, “It seems to have brought you much happiness.”

“Why are you here?” Maki couldn’t keep the anger out of her voice.

“We missed you.” Maki watched as her mother leaned into her father, a pleading look in her eye.

He cleared his throat, “We regret how our last conversation ended. We should have considered your point of view.”

“You’re damn right…”

“Maki.” Her mother warned, but Maki had left many things behind the night she walked out of her childhood home and deference was one of them.

She spoke precisely and with sparse emotions, “I am glad you are both well. It was kind of you to accept Nico’s invitation. But you won’t receive another any time soon.”

Her mother smiled, “We’ll leave you to Nico. You’re both always welcome to stop by. We’re very proud to have her as part of our family.”

Maki shook her head, this was not the place for this conversation, and while she understood Nico’s impulse, she…

Her father nodded, “Maybe you’ll understand when you have children of your own.”

Maki froze. Children? Of their own?

And Nico was right there, super Idol senses having picked up on something. Maki’s eyes were unfocused, jaw agape. Nico kept her tone light, “And you broke her. Nothing Nico can’t fix, of course, but what did you say?”

Maki’s mother answered with a wry chuckle, “Children.”

If Maki had been paying attention, she would have seen a brief flash of panic mar Nico’s face. But then, the rigorous hundreds of hours of how to deal with the public training plastered a smile there, “It’s late. It was good to see you, but it’s time for me to get Maki home.” And somehow, Nico had acquired Maki’s tuxedo jacket, tucked her wife into it and led her out into a rainy street, a Tokyo street scene, neon, bustling umbrellas, the notes of “Candy” fading behind a door.

“Nico?” Maki’s question was a whine.

“Let’s get home.”

“Why’d you tell them?” Maki and Nico were on the newlywed couch, having agreed that disagreements stopped at the bedroom door.

“I love you, they love you, you love you...it seemed like we’d all have more in common.” Nico teased from Maki’s lap.

Maki grabbed one of the pink pillows Nico had scattered EVERYWHERE and raised it in a threatening fashion. “And how did you…”

Nico frowned and sat up, taking the pillow out of Maki’s hands pulling the redhead closer, “You kinda stopped talking to me. I was worried.”

Maki blustered, trying to remember the past month, with Nico off working on her show for the tour, but it was all a half asleep blur of too many classes, too little Nico. “I didn’t.”

“You texted me, you didn’t talk to me. I was worried.” Nico laughed, “It reminded me of when you couldn’t work out a song. You’d close yourself off.”

That made sense, it had felt a little like that, but with a lot less direction. At least a song had been a thing to focus on, this had been like a foggy month with an empty calendar.

“So how did you get time off?” Maki changed the subject.

“Family emergency. My mother is very ill.” Nico sounded grim, then poked Maki, “See, parents are useful sometimes.”

“Nico…”

Nico flipped so she was sitting across Maki’s lap, eyes locked on Maki’s lips with enough raw hunger, tongue tip lazy all over her top lip, that Maki was having trouble remembering why she was exasperated with Nico. That was a familiar feeling.

“When we have children…” Maki began, her voice breaking before she could finish the sentence as Nico’s shocked, wide red eyes snapped up to hers. The world went still, dormant, and silent and Maki had no idea what happened next.

Nico's combination of hopeful flirt and world weary coper was masterful, “Nico is too young, tired, and a month’s worth of hot for her super sexy wife for this talk.” Nico wiggled, settling down into Maki’s lap, nose to nose with Maki again. “You can’t be looking at Nico this close and thinking “there's somebody’s mother!?!””

Rapidly losing her ability to hold a thought, Maki shook her head as Nico began unbuttoning her, sliding the shirt off the redhead's shoulder and then teasing Maki’s neck with her breaths. Her voice dropped to those low notes that sent icy thrills cascading from Maki’s ears, “What are you thinking?” Nico whispered.

“You go to my head.” And Maki started humming into Nico’s ear, enjoying the sensations as her wife scooted deliberately, incrementally closer, until their lips barely brushed each other.

“Shall I go a few other places as well?” Nico’s tongue flicked Maki’s lower lip lightly, a tease that was too much for Maki as she took in both Nico’s lips and her next breath in one motion, no words, just reflex action and the urgent moans that made Nico dive her hands under Maki’s shirt, pushing the eager redhead back. Umi would never sit comfortably on the couch again if she knew how often this had happened,

Hours later, in the newlywed bed.

Sleepy Nico: “What was the name of that first song you played? Nico’s new favorite.”

Even sleepier Maki: “Ruby Smile.”

“ ‘S about Nico?”

“Every note.”

“Would make a nice name for…”

“Yeah.”

“Love you.”

“Love you.”

A/N: Went to an amazing jazz concert yesterday, which kept looping around in my head so this happened. Give Terrell Stafford's "Candy" a listen to for a glimpse of the effect hearing it live had.

Next Casual Lunacy is on track to update later this week

.But meanwhile, here's to jazz and rain and neon and love and Spring....Take care!