Terell Stafford - New Beginnings

Trumpeter Terell Stafford has been a ubiquitous part of the US jazz scene since the mid '90s, playing with groups led by such stellar performers as Cedar Walton, Sadao Watanabe, the Clayton Brothers, Christian McBride, Kenny Barron and many New York-based bands. Here he asserts his presence as a leader with his debut for MaxJazz's new Horn Series. He plays a variety of moods, from a fluid and lush rendition of the traditional hymn, He Knows How Much You Can Bear, through the hard bop phrasing of Berda's Bounce to his own trilogy, New Beginnings Suite. Accompanists are Dick Oatts (saxophone), Mulgrew Miller (piano), Derrick Hodge (bass) and Dana Hall (drums). Guesting are Jesse Davis (alto sax) and Harry Allen (tenor sax) on one track and Steve Wilson (alto sax) on another.