Terell Stafford©Andrea Canter

Since 1999, Minnesota’s big band enthusiasts have had the fortune to hear performances by the JazzMN Orchestra (formerly Big Band). Formed to “promote, preserve and perpetuate jazz, America's indigenous art music, through performance, historical preservation, and education," this non-profit group is an amalgam of the best band artists in the Twin Cities. Under the direction of bandleader/trumpeter Doug Snapp, the 13th season concert series closes in style on April 21st with special guest, trumpeter Terell Stafford, along with vocalist Jeff Jensen. The concert begins at 7:30 pm at the Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center.

Terell Stafford©Andrea Canter

For the past ten years, Stafford has performed with Cedar Walton, Sadao Watanabe, the Clayton Brothers, Herbie Mann, Kenny Barron, Diana Krall, and big bands, including Jon Faddis' Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, Wynton Marsalis' Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, Jimmy Heath Big Band, and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra; he continues touring with Matt Wilson’s acclaimed Arts and Crafts ensemble. Stafford has appeared on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the soundtrack for the film, A Bronx Tale, and with the Billy Taylor Trio on NPR’s Jazz at the Kennedy Center. His recordings as a leader have included Time to Let Go (Candid, 1995), Centripedal Force (Candid, 1997), Fields of Gold (Nagel-Heyer, 2000), New Beginnings (MaxJazz, 2003); Taking Chances: Live at the Dakota (MaxJazz, 2007), and his acclaimed 2011 release, This Side of Strayhorn (MaxJazz). In addition to his busy performance and recording schedule, Stafford is a dedicated educator, currently Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University in Philadelphia. He has served on the faculties of the prestigious Vail Foundation in Colorado, Jazz at Lincoln Center's Essentially Ellington Program, and the Juilliard Institute for Jazz Studies in New York.

The charts scheduled for the April 21st concert include Stafford’s own “A Nick Off the Mark,” “Berda’s Bounce,” and “Dear Ruby,” along with “African Skies” (Michael Brecker), “Blame It on My Youth” (Oscar Levant and Edward Heyman), “It Happened to Me” (Dennis Mackrel), and “Minnesota” (Bill Cunliffe). Vocalist Jeff Jensen will join the JazzMN Orchestra on “Wonderwall” and “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

Dr. Doug Snapp, founder of JazzMN, Artistic Director, and frequent trumpeter, is a Professor of Jazz Studies and Trumpet at Minnesota State University, Mankato, and plays principal trumpet in the Mankato Symphony. Band members this season include: Brian Grivna, Kathy Jensen, Dave Karr, Dale Mendenhall, and Pete Whitman (saxes); Bob Hallgrimson, Dave Jensen, Jeff Gottwig, and Steve Strand (trumpets); Wade Clark, Ethan Frier, Dave Graf, and Michael Nelson (trombones); Mary Louise Knutson (piano), Terry Burns (bass), Dave Singley (guitar), and Joe Pulice (drums).

Visit www.jazzmn.org for more information or to order tickets. Single concert tickets $25-$29 advance, $17 students, available through online order or at the door. The Hopkins High School Performing Arts Center is located at 2400 Lindbergh Drive, Minnetonka. An earlier version of this article was published in the April 2012 issue of TCJS Jazz Notes.

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