This power-packed SMF original double bill features the Savannah debut of the great trumpeter Jon Faddis and his Quartet (David Hazelitine, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, Dion Parsons) along with special guest trumpeters Terell Stafford and Sean Jones, sharing the stage with renowned drummer Brian Blade’s Fellowship Band (Melvin Butler, Jon Cowherd, Chris Thomas, Myron Walden). The three-trumpet lineup will feature fiery and competitive playing on one half of the program while the beautiful and enigmatic style of Blade’s group is an aptly termed fellowship. “Whether he’s purring into his mute or releasing a meteor shower of spectacular phrases, Faddis plays with authority. Also with dynamics... Faddis talks through his horn, holding up his end of an animated conversation.” –NPR’s Jazz Set
“The Fellowship revolves around the writing of Blade and keyboardist Jon Cowherd, whose concepts tends toward the pastoral, elegant and cathartic.” –NPR Music