Philadelphia has a storied history with America’s musical art form: jazz. Internationally-celebrated trumpet standout Terell Stafford directs a fresh look at Philly’s contributions to jazz, featuring an original jazz overture, which explores the sounds of North, South, and West Philly. Also in the program is three-time Grammy-winning vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater, singing Billie Holiday. Matt Gallagher, leader of The Philly POPS BIG Band, refreshes the sounds of Grover Washington Jr., and John Coltrane. University of the Arts graduate and POPS favorite Alita Moses sings Jill Scott.
The program includes “Cottontail,” “Oh Lady Be Good” and “God Bless The Child”—tunes which would have been familiar at Philadelphia’s vanguard of jazz clubs, like the Showboat, Bijou, and Pep’s Musical Bar.
Terell Stafford conducts the All-City Jazz Orchestra Honor Band as part the School District’s All-City Jazz Festival, which is presented by the POPS. He leads the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, and currently serves as Temple’s Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies. Matt Gallagher and five other members of the BIG Band bring jazz instruction to their students at University of the Arts. Prior to each performance, student musicians will fill the lobby atmosphere with the sounds of today’s jazz.