Whitworth Welcomes International Jazz Star Terell Stafford to Cowles Auditorium on Nov. 2
Stafford is currently the director of jazz studies and chair of instrumental studies at Temple University, founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, and managing and artistic director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. He is internationally known as an educator and performer and has received countless award nominations, including a Grammy Award for his work with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra and its album Monday Night Live at the Village Vanguard (2009).
“Terell is the real deal – a bold trumpeter and articulate educator who continues the tradition of swing, the blues and individual artistry, all with a beautiful, big sound,” says Jared Hall, assistant professor of music.
Stafford started playing the trumpet at age 13. In 1988, he met jazz legend Wynton Marsalis who suggested he study with William Fielder at Rutgers University. Stafford later went on to perform with Marsalis’ group, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and teach at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Stafford also trained alongside Bobby Watson, Victor Lewis and Shirley Scott.
Since the mid-1990s, Stafford has performed with groups such as Benny Golson’s Sextet, McCoy Tyner’s Sextet, Kenny Barron Quintet and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Alumni Band.
Stafford can be heard performing on more than 130 albums. He released his debut album, Time to Let Go, in 1995.
Stafford will also hold a free jazz clinic on Friday, Nov. 1, at 5:15 p.m. in Cowles Music Center’s recital hall. The clinic is open to the public.
To purchase tickets for the concert, click here.
About the Whitworth Jazz Ensemble:
The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble is an award-winning, nationally recognized collegiate jazz orchestra that is considered one of the most outstanding in the Northwest. It has been recognized for incredible performances at the Chicago-based Elmhurst Jazz Festival both in 2013 and 2017 as well as at several All-Northwest and All-State Conferences over the past three decades.
About Whitworth University:
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private Christian liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of about 2,500 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Trisha Coder, director of media relations, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or tcoder@whitworth.edu.
