Musician Guides/Current Calendar Ranking

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Terell Stafford

Terell Stafford is a trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator whose work connects his quintet, the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, and large ensembles.

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Photo source · Photo: Valentina Lopez, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Career Overview

About Terell Stafford

Stafford's official biography traces his development from classical trumpet study through Bobby Watson's Horizon, McCoy Tyner's Latin All-Star Band, and later work in many small and large ensembles. It also documents a leader catalog beginning with Time to Let Go in 1995.[1]

His durable projects combine the Terell Stafford Quintet with the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia and continuing orchestral work. Stafford's teaching at Temple University links those performance settings with ensemble direction and jazz education.[1][2]

Ensembles and Career Threads

Bands & Projects

Leader, trumpeter, and composer

Terell Stafford Quintet

Stafford's main small-group format has carried his leader catalog from Time to Let Go through recordings devoted to original music and trumpet repertoire.[1][2]

Founder, managing and artistic director

Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia

Formed 2013

Stafford founded the orchestra to perform and extend Philadelphia's jazz legacy while pairing concerts with educational work.[1]

Trumpeter

Vanguard Jazz Orchestra

Stafford's large-ensemble work includes membership in the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra alongside his own directing and teaching roles.[1]

Selected, Not Exhaustive

Recordings to Know

1995 · Candid Records

Time to Let Go

Leader and trumpeter

Stafford's debut leader album features a multi-horn ensemble with Victor Lewis, Ed Simon, Steve Wilson, and Tim Warfield.[1][2]

Release details

2011 · MAXJAZZ

This Side of Strayhorn

Quintet leader and trumpeter

The quintet program focuses on Billy Strayhorn's compositions through Stafford's working-band arrangements.[1][2]

Release details

2015 · Capri Records

BrotherLee Love

Quintet leader and trumpeter

Stafford's quintet celebrates Lee Morgan through pieces associated with the Philadelphia trumpeter and a lineup built around trumpet and tenor saxophone.[1][2]

Release details

Artist-Authorized Destinations

Start Listening

Official music catalog

Hear samples and browse Stafford's leader releases and selected ensemble recordings.

Mack Avenue catalog

Browse label-authorized Stafford recordings and purchase or listening destinations.

Live Calendar

Upcoming Jazz DateBook Shows

No current Jazz DateBook dates are listed for Terell Stafford. The career guide remains available while the calendar changes.

Evidence-Based Connections

Related Musician Guides

Connections below come from shared current Jazz DateBook bills or normalized documented performance roles—not subjective similarity.

Arturo SandovalTrumpet · ComposerShared documented roles: Trumpeter · Composer · BandleaderBenny Benack IIITrumpet · VocalsShared documented roles: Trumpeter · Composer · BandleaderCharlie PorterTrumpet · ComposerShared documented roles: Trumpeter · Composer · BandleaderChief AdjuahTrumpet · Adjuah trumpetShared documented roles: Trumpeter · Composer · BandleaderGilbert CastellanosTrumpet · ComposerShared documented roles: Trumpeter · Composer · EducatorJason PalmerTrumpet · ComposerShared documented roles: Trumpeter · Composer · Bandleader

Sources

Career copy is original synthesis from the artist, label, and project sources below. Current dates come from Jazz DateBook event inventory.

  1. [1] Official biography, groups, and education history

    Terell Stafford

  2. [2] Official leader and sideman recording guide

    Terell Stafford