Biography
Terence Blanchard, born March 13, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana, is a distinguished jazz trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator. Raised in a musically rich environment—his father was a part-time opera singer—Blanchard began piano lessons at age five before switching to trumpet at eight. He attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, where he studied under Roger Dickerson and Ellis Marsalis, Jr., and later continued his education at Rutgers University, studying with Paul Jeffrey and Bill Fielder. Early in his career, he played with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and, on Wynton Marsalis’s recommendation, joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1982, eventually serving as the band’s musical director.
Blanchard rose to prominence in the 1980s jazz resurgence, co-leading a quintet with saxophonist Donald Harrison and recording several acclaimed albums. He is renowned for his versatility, composing more than 80 film and television scores—most notably for director Spike Lee, including 'BlacKkKlansman' and 'Da 5 Bloods,' both of which earned him Academy Award nominations. Blanchard has also composed operas, including 'Fire Shut Up in My Bones,' which became the first opera by an African American composer staged at the Metropolitan Opera. His musical style blends post-bop jazz with elements of Latin jazz, blues, and orchestral music, often addressing social issues through his work.
A seven-time Grammy Award winner and 2024 NEA Jazz Master, Blanchard is also a dedicated mentor and educator, having held leadership roles at the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, UCLA, and Berklee College of Music. His legacy is marked by his innovative contributions to jazz, film, and opera, as well as his commitment to nurturing the next generation of musicians.
Fun Facts
- Blanchard's opera 'Fire Shut Up in My Bones' was the first opera by an African American composer performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
- He has composed more than 80 film and television scores, making him one of the most prolific jazz composers in Hollywood.
- Blanchard replaced Wynton Marsalis in both the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers early in his career.
- He is a passionate educator and has held prominent teaching and leadership roles at institutions including Berklee College of Music, UCLA, and the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Ellis Marsalis, Jr. - High school jazz instructor and mentor at NOCCA (Guided early jazz studies) [late 1970s]
- Roger Dickerson - High school music teacher at NOCCA (Jazz and composition instruction) [late 1970s]
- Paul Jeffrey - Rutgers University jazz saxophone instructor (Jazz studies at Rutgers) [1980-1982]
- Bill Fielder - Rutgers University trumpet instructor (Trumpet studies at Rutgers) [1980-1982]
Key Collaborators
- Wynton Marsalis - Childhood friend, early bandmate, and recommended Blanchard for Jazz Messengers (Summer band camps, Jazz Messengers transition) [1970s-1982]
- Art Blakey - Band leader; Blanchard was trumpeter and musical director for Jazz Messengers (Jazz Messengers albums and tours) [1982-1986]
- Donald Harrison - Co-leader of quintet and frequent recording partner (Harrison/Blanchard Quintet albums) [1984-1988]
- Spike Lee - Frequent film score collaborator (Scores for 'Do the Right Thing', 'Mo' Better Blues', 'BlacKkKlansman', 'Da 5 Bloods', and more) [1989-present]
- Herbie Hancock - Collaborative performances and recordings (Various jazz festivals and projects) [1990s-present]
- Stevie Wonder - Collaborative performances (Live jazz events) [2000s-present]
Artists Influenced
- Ambrose Akinmusire - Cited Blanchard as a major influence in modern jazz trumpet (Akinmusire's solo work) [2010s-present]
- Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah - Mentored by Blanchard and inspired by his approach to jazz composition (Scott's genre-blending albums) [2010s-present]
- Students at Thelonious Monk Institute, UCLA, Berklee - Direct mentorship and instruction (Numerous student projects and ensembles) [2000s-present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Harriet (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2019-11-01 | Album |
| The Comedian (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2017-02-03 | Album |
| The Woman King (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2022-09-16 | Album |
| Inside Man (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2006-01-01 | Album |
| BlacKkKlansman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2018-08-10 | Album |
| Father of the Bride (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2022-06-17 | Album |
| Music from Tiana's Bayou Adventure | 2024-06-28 | Album |
| She Hate Me (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2004 | Album |
| Soul Eyes | 2016-07-01 | Album |
| Bounce | 2003-01-01 | Album |
| Red Tails - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | 2012-01-16 | Album |
| Flow | 2005-01-01 | Album |
| 25th Hour (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | 2002-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Ma Belle Evangeline
- When We're Human - From "The Princess and the Frog"/Soundtrack Version
- Ma Belle Evangeline
- When We're Human
- Goodbye Song (Harriet (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
- Lograremos ser humanos
- Ma Belle Evangeline - From "The Princess and the Frog"/Soundtrack Version (Disney Love Songs)
- Mo' Better Blues (feat. Terence Blanchard) (MUSIC FROM MO' BETTER BLUES (feat. Terence Blanchard))
- Soul Eyes (Soul Eyes)
- Jackie Gets Out (The Comedian (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack))
External Links
Tags: #composer, #film-composer, #hard-bop
References
Heard on WWOZ
Terence Blanchard has been played 7 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 2, 2026 | 16:10 | Absencefrom Absence | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Charles Burchell | |
| Dec 15, 2025 | 17:11 | nocturnafrom poncho sanchez and terence blanchard=chano y dizzy | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Maryse Dejean | |
| Dec 1, 2025 | 17:02 | Transformfrom Bounce | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Maryse Dejean | |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 00:43 | Otis & Tien Have Dinnerfrom Da 5 Bloods Original Motion Picture Score | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Nov 6, 2025 | 08:10 | Transformfrom Bounce | The Morning Setw/ Scott Borne | |
| Oct 31, 2025 | 16:49 | Ghost Of Congo Squarefrom A Tale Of God`s Will (A Requiem | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Charles Burchell | |
| Oct 20, 2025 | 07:38 | On The Vergefrom Bounce | The Morning Setw/ Stuart Hall |