Terence Blanchard was born in New Orleans and first came to prominence when he succeeded Wynton Marsalis as trumpet player and musical director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1982.
In ‘86 he left Blakey and co-led a quintet with another former Messenger alto saxophonist Donald Harrison with whom he cut three albums.
Blanchard has pursued a solo career since the early 90’s and has built up an impressive back catalogue. He has demonstrated a particular affinity for film music and has sound tracked several films often working with director Spike Lee.
