Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia Pays Tribute to Billy Strayhorn at Kimmel Center Tonight

Legendary jazz composer Billy Strayhorn's music takes center stage when the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP) plays tribute in the Perelman Theater tonight, May 9 at 8p.m. Presented by the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts and under the artistic direction of renowned Philadelphia trumpeter Terell Stafford, the performance celebrates Strayhorn's 100th birthday with a special program including "Take the 'A' Train," "Satin Doll," and Strayhorn's most famous ballad, "Lush Life."

Philly native and tenor saxophonist Benny Golson joins JOP for the second half of the program, which features a special performance of his iconic big band hits. A final highlight of the evening is the world premiere of a new work by Terell Stafford, composed in honor of the late jazz trumpeter Clark Terry.

Concertgoers will also enjoy the All City Band Community Jazz Orchestra, comprised of Philadelphia area high school students. The acclaimed student orchestra opens the JOP performance with a set on the Perelman Theater stage. Their participation in the program is the culmination of a special music lesson they received from Terrell Stafford and Benny Golson leading up to the concert.

As an added bonus, May 9th concert is part of the Billy Strayhorn Foundation's Centennial Committee, a year-long effort in 2015 that marks Strayhorn's 100th birthday with a series of events exploring Strayhorn's musical legacy. Members of the Strayhorn family will be in attendance to mark the special performance.

"We invite Philadelphians to join us for the spring performance of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia in Perelman Theater," said Kimmel Center President and CEO Anne Ewers. "Terrell Stafford has lined up a terrific program continuing Philadelphia's legacy as a jazz hub with Philly's own Benny Golson bringing his big band music to life."

"I am so honored to join forces with the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia to celebrate Billy Strayhorn's musical legacy," said JOP Artistic Director Terell Stafford. "I also really look forward to exploring a new work I have composed in honor of jazz trumpeter Clark Terry, whose recent passing in March 2015 sparked a resurgence for me in his significance."

Billy Strayhorn is best known as the main collaborator with Duke Ellington. He met Ellington in 1938 and collaborated with him for more than three decades. A member of the Ellington Orchestra, in 1941 he penned "Take the 'A' Train," which would later become their signature tune. Together Strayhorn and Ellington also collaborated on "Satin Doll," "Chelsea Bridge," "Rain Check," U.M.M.G." and his last work, "Blood Count."

Strayhorn's signature composition is "Lush Life," which he composed both music and lyrics for at only 16. The song describes his weariness of the night life after a failed romance, wasting time with "jazz and cocktails" at "come-what-may places" and in the company of girls with "sad and sullen gray faces/with distingué traces".

Tenor saxophonist and composer Benny Golson is the only living jazz artist to have eight standards for jazz repertoire. He has recorded over 30 albums and composed music for recording industry legends like Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald and Diana Ross. His composing credits also included hit TV series such as M*A*S*H and Mission Impossible.

Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia is dedicated to presenting the highest quality jazz to the greatest number of people. Designed to preserve, represent and continue Philadelphia's unique, rich jazz sound and tradition, JOP aims to become the face of Philadelphia jazz, establishing the city as a nationally and internationally recognized destination for jazz performance. JOP is dedicated to honoring, presenting and continuing Philadelphia's unparalleled jazz legacy.

In addition to embodying Philadelphia's vital jazz legacy with energetic jazz performances, both locally and outside of their home city, the JOP will provide an essential educational component as part of its mission. As director of jazz studies in the Boyer College of Music, Terell Stafford offers a synergy with Temple University that intends to branch out to younger Philadelphia students.

Terell Stafford is the artistic director of Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia and director of jazz studies and chair of instrumental studies at Temple University, where he has been a recipient of the university's "Creative Achievement Award." He has been hailed as "one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player" by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Known for being a gifted and versatile player with a voice all his own, Stafford combines lyricism and a deep love of melody with a spirited, adventurous edge. In 1988, Stafford had the good fortune to meet and receive advice from Wynton Marsalis who suggested that Stafford study with Dr. William Fielder at Rutgers University. During his time at Rutgers, Stafford was invited to join Bobby Watson's group, Horizon.

Over the next five years, Stafford was able to balance his offstage education with the incredible knowledge and experience he gained from performing alongside Watson, co-leader Victor Lewis and Shirley Scott. Stafford credits this time with teaching him to be an effective arranger, a composer, and a bandleader, all things that Bobby Watson himself learned from his time with the late Art Blakey while performing with the Jazz Messengers. Stafford's time with Horizon led to his joining McCoy Tyner's Latin All-Star Band, which featured some of the best Latin jazz players.

Since the mid-1990's Stafford has performed with groups such as Benny Golson's Sextet, McCoy Tyner's Sextet, the Kenny Barron Sextet, the Jimmy Heath Big Band, the Jon Faddis Orchestra. Currently he is a member of the Grammy Award winning Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (Grammy 2009, Best Large Ensemble, Live at the Village Vanguard), as well as a member of the Grammy nominated Clayton Brothers Quintet (for Best Instrumental Composition), and the Frank Wess Quintet. Stafford has recorded six albums as a leader with his debut album in 1995 entitled Time to Let Go (Candid).

Tickets are available from $29-$39. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office at Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

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