Under the direction of Grammy-winning trumpeter Terell Stafford, the Temple University Jazz Band has long been known for taking its music far beyond its Philadelphia home—appearing at major venues such as Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and the Kimmel Center, and touring internationally to Germany and the Netherlands. But in March 2025, the ensemble embarked on a milestone journey: its first-ever trip to Japan. Over five intense days of travel, performance, and cultural immersion, the students experienced the kind of growth that only comes from performing abroad—culminating in a two-set, sold-out concert at Tokyo’s renowned Akasaka B-flat. That electrifying night is now preserved on Live From Japan, set for release February 6, 2026 on BCM+D Records.
The album captures the band at full strength—energized by the whirlwind pace of touring, bonded by shared challenges, and inspired by the warm reception from Japanese audiences. For Stafford, who directs jazz studies and chairs instrumental studies at Temple’s Boyer College of Music and Dance, making this trip a reality was a long-held dream disrupted by the COVID pandemic in 2020. Having performed in Japan many times over his own distinguished career, he knew how life-changing the experience could be. What he didn’t expect was the joy of watching students encounter the country’s culture, people, and musical appreciation for the first time. Exhausted from jetlag yet rising to the expectations of professionalism, the ensemble navigated each day with dedication that Stafford found deeply inspiring.
Their emotional journey is etched into every track of Live From Japan. The recording opens with a spirited take on Johnny Hodges’ “Squatty Roo,” arranged by John Clayton, setting the tone for a program steeped in swing and expressive ensemble work. The band then dives into three Duke Ellington classics—“Jack the Bear,” highlighted by bassist Graham Kozak; “I Didn’t Know About You,” featuring Jacquee Paul’s tender vocals; and a powerful, deeply felt “Black and Tan Fantasy.” Don Menza’s “I Just Found Out About Love” brings punch and exuberance, while Bob Mintzer’s arrangement of Herbie Hancock’s “Eye of the Hurricane,” drawn from the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra’s repertoire, channels the band’s technical precision and collective fire.
At the heart of the album is “Fantasia,” an intricate and emotionally rich new work composed for the band by Tokyo native and Temple alum Yoichi Uzeki. Blending classical and jazz influences with remarkable finesse, the piece reflects Uzeki’s close collaboration with Stafford and his understanding of the specific musical strengths of this year’s ensemble. It also serves as a symbolic bridge between Temple’s program and the Japanese musical community that hosted the band so warmly.
A vital part of any live album is its audience, and Japan delivered one like no other. The students were met with enthusiasm, respect, and heartfelt appreciation—an atmosphere that elevated their performance and shaped the recording’s infectious energy. The success of the tour was so overwhelming that a return trip is already set for March 2026, this time featuring legendary trumpeter Randy Brecker as guest soloist. A second volume of Live From Japan is planned to accompany that visit.
For young musicians forging their path, international touring is not simply about performance—it is about perspective, growth, and community. Live From Japan captures that transformation in real time, offering listeners a ticket to an unforgettable night and a defining moment in the band’s story.
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