Bruce Barth and Terell Stafford at @exuberance

A blue chip duo next up @exuberance—two extraordinary jazz artists with international followings, both Temple educators.

Terell Stafford looks like a CEO and sounds like a billion dollars. His trumpet (or flugelhorn) voice so clear and sure, you know he’s not fooling. Perhaps he picked that up early on working alongside Bobby Watson—the swingingest of leaders. Stints with Shirley Scott, McCoy Tyner and Benny Golson could only have emboldened his swing. I am thrilled (several times now) to find Terell playing with the Clayton Brothers—a band that is a joy to begin with, but Terell Stafford puts the sauce on it. For me, that band is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Seven CDs as leader, too many to count as sideman. He is also the director of jazz studies at the Boyer School of Music at Temple and the founding director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. He’s a regular with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, countless ensembles and leader of his own quintet....

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A blue chip duo next up @exuberance—two extraordinary jazz artists with international followings, both Temple educators.

Terell Stafford looks like a CEO and sounds like a billion dollars. His trumpet (or flugelhorn) voice so clear and sure, you know he’s not fooling. Perhaps he picked that up early on working alongside Bobby Watson—the swingingest of leaders. Stints with Shirley Scott, McCoy Tyner and Benny Golson could only have emboldened his swing. I am thrilled (several times now) to find Terell playing with the Clayton Brothers—a band that is a joy to begin with, but Terell Stafford puts the sauce on it. For me, that band is the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Seven CDs as leader, too many to count as sideman. He is also the director of jazz studies at the Boyer School of Music at Temple and the founding director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia. He’s a regular with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, countless ensembles and leader of his own quintet.

Bruce Barth started learning piano jazz with some great teachers—Norman Simmons, Jaki Byard and Fred Hersch among them. A ten-year stint with Stanley Turrentine. Tours with Nat Adderly, Vincent Herring, Terrence Blanchard, Luciana Souza and Karrin Allyson among others. Fourteen CDs as leader that reveal a consummate jazz pianist with a raft of inventive original compositions. Zan Stewart writes “No one sounds quite like Barth. His solos are characterized by robust swing, his ability to tell a story, and by his rich, beguiling sound.” Bruce has been mentoring jazz piano students at Temple for many years.

An opportunity to catch two modern masters in the intimacy of our @exuberance space. Expect combustible energy, deft interplay, quiet beauty, and the personification of swing.

We contemplate a $25 donation to support the musicians and provide appropriate refreshments.

@exuberance parties at Matt’s are by invitation only to provide a dignified, comfortable and acoustically ideal setting for worthwhile art and ideas. Cellphones and other devices are to be holstered during the performances. Between sets, conviviality rules.

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