Trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard stopped by the station the other day during Jazz from the Market, with Dean Ellis sitting in for T.R. Johnson, and I sat with them in the studio as they talked about a wide range of topics. Terence had a lot of great stories to share both on and off the mic, and the three of us had plenty of laughs.

He's a very down-to-earth guy for someone so successful! After all, aside from his stellar work as a film composer (for Spike Lee!) and his growing collection of Grammy Awards, the guy was the musical director while holding the trumpet chair Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers!

He talked about the premier of his new work, "Choices," recorded and performed at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art. The recording features spoken word from Prof. Cornell West as well as the incredible vocals of Bilal. He shared some interesting insights into what led to this project, and how difficult it was to record in the Ogden because of the church-like reverberation. Check out an extended video on TB's web site for more info on "Choices."  

The premier concert will be held on Friday, July 31, at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art's Patrick F. Taylor Library. The CD, Choices, will be available on Concord Records beginning August 18.