Like Quincy Jones before him, Blanchard is a hard-bop trumpeter with ambitions that stretch well beyond the bandstand: He's scored most of Spike Lee's films, spearheaded major jazz-education initiatives, and serves as a passionate advocate for post-Katrina New Orleans. Still, jazz improvisation remains the core of Blanchard's musical life, and he's best appreciated as a sharp and savvy bandleader with a keen eye for young talent. At the Birdland this week, hear his tight quintet of up-and-comers and the unadorned yet elegant peal of Blanchard's horn.
MORE TODAY: