Stafford, Terell
MAXJAZZ, 2003, CD
Instrument: Trumpet
Issue: 9.3
Jazz Ruler Type: Ballads, Blues
Performance: 4
Sound: 4
Score: 
O’s Notes: The mood is soft and romantic for these mostly bluesy ballads. Terell plays both natural and muted trumpets that are precise and warm. Mulgrew Miller (p), Derrick Moore (b) and Dana Hall make up the rhythm section while sax comes from Steve Wilson, Dick Oats, Jessie Davis or Harry Allen. Stafford takes us to church on “He Knows How Much You Can Bear”, an instrumental version of the gospel song. The “New Beginnings Suite” starts out funky then chills with brass harmonies as Stafford switches to flugelhorn before turning up the heat on “Brenda’s Bounce”. Among the best songs is “Kumbaya” which caps a fine performance.
