Terence Blanchardis undoubtedly a man of many talents. Apart from being a fantastic trumpeter and bandleader, the 51-year-old American is also the successful composer of numerous scores for movies and theater productions. Since 1990 he has been the regular composer for movie director Spike Lee, known for such films as Mo' Better Blues and Malcolm X. In addition, he is the initiator and musical brain behind various music programs and he is Artistic Director at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. Blanchard's career began when he replaced Wynton Marsalis in the legendary Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. For New Orleans-born Blanchard, who is known for his expressive yet highly controlled way of playing the trumpet, this year another dream will come true when his first opera is performed. In Rotterdam the five-time Grammy winner's innovative and tenacious playing will show you why he is one of the best trumpet players of his generation.
