On Stage: “Airmen of Note with Terell Stafford”

This Sunday at 4 p.m., KUVO’s performance broadcast “On Stage” features highlights from the U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note in concert with trumpeter Terell Stafford.

The concert, recorded on Veterans Day 2016 in Alexandria, Va. is part of The Airmen of Note’s Jazz Heritage Series, which shows off the U.S Air Force’s high level of professionalism through concerts featuring masters of the only American-born art form–jazz.

About Terell Stafford: Terell Stafford, acclaimed trumpet player based in New York, has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Stafford is recognized as an incredibly gifted and versatile player, he combines a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism. Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads. Stafford first picked up the trumpet at age thirteen, initially studying classical music.

Since the mid-1990’s, Stafford has performed with Benny Golson’s Sextet, McCoy Tyner’s Sextet, Kenny Barron Quintet, Frank Wess Quintet, Jimmy Heath Quintet and Big Band, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Alumni Band.

Stafford has been a member of several GRAMMY nominated ensembles, including the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which was awarded a GRAMMY in 2009 for Best Large Ensemble, Live at the Village Vanguard.

Currently, Stafford is 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. Stafford is renowned in the jazz world as an educator, performer and leader along with countless award nominations, accolades and associated acts.

Terell Stafford was born in Miami and raised in Chicago and Silver Spring, Maryland. He received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Maryland in 1988 and a Masters of Music from Rutgers University in 1993.

About the Airmen of Note: The Airmen of Note, the premier jazz ensemble of the U.S. Air Force, regularly performs and records with the leading artists in the jazz world. In 1990, the Note started its popular Jazz Heritage Series. These concerts featured internationally acclaimed jazz musicians joining forces with one of the best big bands in America–the Airmen of Note.

A radio broadcast was added in 2007, expanding the dimension and appeal of the series and allowing listeners across the United States to enjoy these programs that previously could only be appreciated by live audiences in Washington, D.C. Now the U.S. Air Force Band Airmen of Note is pleased to offer the Jazz Heritage Series Broadcasts Archives, giving jazz fans worldwide a chance to listen online to past Jazz Heritage Series performances. These archival concerts feature Slide Hampton, Phil Woods, Junior Mance, Paquito D’Rivera, Karrin Allyson, Butch Miles, Kurt Elling, Allen Vizzutti, Rufus Reid, New York Voices, Joey DeFrancesco, Gary Smulyan, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Al Jarreau, Carmen Bradford, Kirk Whalum, Doc Severinsen, and many more! Airmen of Note archives are available here.