The Philly POPS have been awarded a first-time program grant from The Pew Center for Arts and Heritage for “The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia’s Tribute to Shirley Scott” in the category of Recognizing Artistic Legacies. An innovative musician and legendary jazz organist, Shirley Scott was a Philadelphia native and pioneer in a traditionally male-dominated genre.
“The mission of The POPS is to celebrate America’s and, as often as possible, our city’s legacy of popular music. We could not be more honored to receive this grant. We look forward to celebrating the legacy of Shirley Scott in a more textured and bold way than would be possible without the Pew Center’s project grant,” said Karen Corbin, COO of The Philly POPS.
The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia is led by Terell Stafford, The Philly POPS Artistic Director for Jazz. Stafford early in his career, has performed with Scott and said, “I couldn’t be more excited to work on The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia’s Tribute to Shirley Scott. Shirley was always about community, and this project will invite our music community to come together to celebrate the genius of this wonderful woman.”
The Philly POPS Orchestra has a Legacy mini-brand of concerts in its Subscription Series each year. In the 2021-22 season, The POPS paid tribute to Quincy Jones Sinatra at the Sands album, which he arranged and produced, and which has been credited with rejuvenating Sinatra’s career. The POPS also explored the rich Motown history last February. The current season includes Get Up, Stand Up: An Encyclopedia of Soul which pays tribute to the legacies of R&B and soul legends and plans a tribute to the shared works of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong this spring. “The Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia’s Tribute to Shirley Scott” is another Legacy offering in a city known for its jazz contributions. The program is planned for this coming April in International Jazz Month.
About The Philly POPS Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia
The Philly POPS Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia is an 18–piece ensemble dedicated to the presentation and exploration of America’s Art Form: jazz.
Under the direction of Artistic Director for Jazz, Terell Stafford, The Philly POPS Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia features an orchestra of accomplished Philadelphia jazz artists alongside some of the most prominent contemporary jazz musicians and luminaries.
About Artistic Director for Jazz Terell Stafford
Terell Stafford has been hailed as “one of the great players of our time, a fabulous trumpet player” by piano legend McCoy Tyner. Stafford is recognized as an incredibly gifted and versatile player, combining a deep love of melody with his own brand of spirited and adventurous lyricism. Stafford’s exceptionally expressive and well-defined musical talent allows him to dance in and around the rich trumpet tradition of his predecessors while making his own inroads.
Since the mid-1990s, Stafford has performed with groups such as Benny Golson’s Sextet, McCoy Tyner’s Sextet, Kenny Barron Quintet, Frank Wess Quintet, Jimmy Heath Quintet and Big Band, Jon Faddis Jazz Orchestra, Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Alumni Band. Stafford, with the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, performed on Diana Krall’s Grammy-nominated From this Moment On (2006). John Clayton invited Stafford to perform with the Clayton Brothers Quintet and Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Stafford is a member of the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, which was awarded a Grammy in 2009 for Best Large Ensemble, “Live at the Village Vanguard.”
Stafford can be heard on over 130 albums. His latest recording This Side of Strayhorn has been hailed as “the first must-have album of 2011” and “genius.” Stafford is the Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Temple University, founder and band leader of the Terell Stafford Quintet, Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia, and Artistic Director for Jazz of The Philly POPS. Stafford is renowned in the jazz world as an educator, performer and leader and has received countless award nominations and accolades.
Stafford was born in Miami and raised in Chicago, Illinois and Silver Spring, Maryland. He received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from the University of Maryland in 1988 and a Masters of Music from Rutgers University in 1993.