JULY 4 2021-22 SEASON
COMCAST NBCUNIVERSAL
PROGRAM INFORMATION The POPS strikes up the band for a swinging patriotic performance to accompany the City’s Celebration of Freedom Ceremony, which will include a reading of the Declaration of Independence, remarks from Mayor Jim Kenney, the presentation of the Mayor’s Magis Award, the Celebrate Freedom Award, and the Wawa Foundation Hero Award. These Independence Day performances connect to the POPSinSchools programs that the POPS initiated in 2015, and which are directed by Artistic Director for Jazz Terell Stafford. Next generation musicians Dan McCain and John Meko, both with six years of experience in POPS programs, will appear in the BIG Band ensemble at Celebration of Freedom. Michael Spearman, a Camden Creative Arts and recent Oberlin College grad, who performed with the POPS for the first time on Memorial Salute, will join the BIG Band for the Celebration of Freedom and July 4th evening concert. “I’m proud to bring my work as Artistic Director for Jazz, a conductor, and an educator to this performance,” said Terell Stafford. “An important tradition in jazz is teaching the next generation—much like my mentors taught me. By creating performance opportunities for these young musicians, we help shape their futures, along with the future of the POPS. POPSinSchools programs mentor students from elementary school to high school—which includes All City Jazz, then in college, students can take co-op positions with the POPS, which give them opportunities to embed in the orchestra.”
POPS At The Celebration of Freedom
PROGRAM JULY 4, 2021
“The Star-Spangled Banner” by John Stafford Smith
Terell Stafford artistic director for jazz, trumpet
“America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward
FEATURING
Declaration of Independence
The Philly POPS BIG Band
“God Bless America” Trad. “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa
THE PHILLY POPS ROSTER SAXOPHONE Ron Kerber Chris Oatts Chris Farr Greg Riley Mark Allen
TRUMPET
Matt Gallagher Dave DiValentino Dan Wright George Rabbai John F. Meko
TROMBONE Randy Kapralick Paul Arbogast Michael Spearman Dave Cianci
PIANO
Luke Carlos O’Reilly
ELECTRIC BASS Steve Beskrone Dan McCain
GUITAR
Kevin Hanson
DRUMS Joe Nero
artistic director for jazz, trumpet
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 ClaytonHamilton 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.
About the Salute Series The Philly POPS Salute Series encourages recognition of service and commitment through an expanding set of events and activities — each transformative moments of celebration for our community. Salute performances recognize the service and sacrifice of those dedicated to a collective identity of American values and tradition.
SALUTE SERIES 2021 EVENTS POPS ON VETERANS SALUTE INDEPENDENCE November 11, 2021 July 3, 2021
Vietnam Veterans Memorial
The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
I’LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS: A SALUTE TO THE MILITARY AND FIRST IN CELEBRATION OF RESPONDERS INDEPENDENCE DAY December 3, 2021
July 4, 2021
The Kimmel Center, Verizon Hall
• POPS at the Celebration of Freedom Ceremony • WAWA Welcome America July 4th Concert at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts
PRESENTED BY SALUTE SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR
SUBSCRIPTION SERIES PRESENTING SPONSOR THE ETHEL SARGEANT CLARK SMITH MEMORIAL FUND