New Orleans trumpeter Terence Blanchard comes from a long line of such that started with Buddy Bolden [1877-1931], King Oliver [1881-1938], Louis Armstrong [1901-1971], Bix Beiderbecke [1903-1931] and on through Wynton Marsalis and Trombone Shorty (who could just as easily have named himself Trumpet Shorty). Terence has so much soul that his voice comes through on his horn in such a way as to evoke every possible human emotion. As an improviser, he’s second-to-none, and that includes every single aforementioned name. That, in and of itself, is the highest possible praise. I will be in awe of this man May 30 at the Musikfest Café in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (a straight one-hour shot from North Jersey). See you there.
