Terrence Blanchard: Choices

Terrence Blanchard: Choices

As I entered Carnagie’s Zankel Hall to see one of the living legends of jazz perform selections from his newest CD, I felt that I’d made the correct choice for that evening. When the lights dimmed in the auditorium and the musicians walked out onto the stage and started playing, that feeling became even stronger. Michael Olatuja, the bass player from Brooklyn, by way of London then Nigeria; Kendrick Scott the drummer from Houston, Texas; and Fabian Almazan, the Cuban pianist from Miami, all found their rhythm as they waited, with the rest of us, for the leader of their group to emerge.
Then out walked the jazz trumpeter, Terrence Blanchard along with his Brice Winston who would accompany him on Tenor Saxophone. The next sound I heard was the voice of one of my favorite speakers/educators, Dr. Cornel West, after which Terrence begins to blow his horn. The correctness of my choice was validated as I accompanied him on a musical journey filled with the amazing culturally rooted rhythms of New Orleans jazz. This was my 90 minute trip through the intricately, soul-inspiring sounds of Choices.
It is said that Choices is Terrence Blanchard’s first CD to be completed his hometown of New Orleans. The warmth, ambiance and acoustics of the venue pours through each track, channeled through modern compositions and inspired performances by a dynamic sextet which includes Fabian Almazan (piano), Derrick Hodge (bass), Kendrick Scott (drums), Lionel Loueke (guitar) and saxophonist Walter Smith III. Blanchard is a meticulous but selfless leader, allowing the younger artists to shine, exchange ideas and contribute to the open process.

Imprinted with Blanchard's cinematic and swinging style the music is rooted but contemporary; advocating new ideas that include excerpts of a conversation between Blanchard and philosopher, author, and activist, Dr. Cornel West. The combination of eloquent intellectualism and stirring composition forms a thematic imprint. West's insightful words sprinkled throughout the music are like poetry—uplifting, enlightening and provocative; expertly placed within the music as he articulates upon the ideas, questions and choices concerning music, humanity, and spirituality—a jazz dialog for the mind and ear.

The tracks showcase these young artists as distinguished players and scintillating writers, including Smith's sophisticated movements in "Byus," and Scott's Brazilian-tinged "Journey," with seductive vocals provided by singer Bilal Sayeed Oliver (aka Bilal), who in turn gives a riveting performance on his soulful Lament, "When Will You Call." Almazan's "Hugs" shows his adroit pianism with beauty and drama as it pushes the musicians to new heights. In contrast, Hodge's "A New World" takes it to the streets with a funky swagger, as Blanchard and Loueke shred some notes.

Still, Blanchard's consummate imprint and warm tone permeate the recording, and his mirrored tracks "D's Choice" and "Robin's Choice" are masterful—full of emotion, spirit and humanity. Mixing jazz and philosophy within a vibrant setting, the aptly titled Choices, continues to bear the good fruits of his thoughtful decisions.