Terence Blanchard and His Quintet Live

Jazz trumpet sensation, Terence Blanchard, along with his quintet played live at Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, IN on Feb. 25. The show was a big hit with the quintet playing many different jazz numbers, slow and fast. The band is composed of Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Brice Winston on sax, Derrick Hodge on bass, Kendrick Scott on drums, and Fabian Almazan on piano.

That Thursday evening was even more special because Blanchard and his group made it through a terrible snow storm in Wisconsin, where they played the night before. So, it meant even more to the people of Bloomington who came out to see a great jazz show. Blanchard and his crew didn't quit for Bloomington, even though they drove through over a foot of snow for hours. That says a lot for Blanchard and his guys, no question about it.

The solos of each member were fantastic and I must say I have never heard the trumpet played like that before until I heard Blanchard just blow my mind. The notes this man was hitting with his trumpet was nothing short of amazing. I was also very impressed with the bass player because he just seemed like he was entranced in the music and it was pleasing to see. Hodge was strumming away on his bass and bass guitar effortlessly like there was no tomorrow. The drummer, piano player, and sax player were also very impressive during their solo performances. As a whole band, their all-around sound came together very nicely and fit together perfectly. They played as if the puzzle pieces were all put together, nothing left to figure out.

It is worth mentioning that Fabian Bennett, piano player, has just joined Blanchard's band recently and is only 22. 22 years young, but he sounded like he's been in the jazz game for years, which was quite amazing to me. Also, it is interesting to note that each member in the group hails from different parts of the country. Blanchard is from New Orleans, La., birthplace of jazz, Derrick Hodge from Philadelphia, Pa., Kendrick Scott from Houston, Texas, Fabian Almazan originally from Cuba, but grew up in Miami, Fl., and Brice Winston from Tucson, Arizona. Winston strikes out as different because most people don't associate Tucson with being a "jazz" spot, but he definitely plays with the best of them. Blanchard even made a joke during the performance in reference to Winston being from Tucson saying that, "they want him to run for mayor over there."

Terence Blanchard and his quintet are on tour now at many spots around the globe including: Brazil, Argentina, California, New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Florida, Connecticut, Oregon, Washington, and Washington, DC. If you have a chance to see Blanchard and his quintet, I would recommend seeing them because they will literally blow your mind musically. If I was to rate the show, I would have to give it a solid A.

For more information on tour dates in your area, check out www.terrenceblanchard.com.

Jimmy Rae