Terence Blanchard brings his electrifying trumpet and visionary artistry to Spoleto with his E-Collective band in a tribute to two of jazz’s greatest innovators: Miles Davis and John Coltrane. A fearless, genre-defying artist, Blanchard’s music pulses with imagination and profound humanity, exploring themes of identity, justice, and resilience. In this performance, Blanchard and the E-Collective channel the groundbreaking spirit of Davis and Coltrane, fusing bold improvisation, powerful melodies, and daring jazz innovation into a sound that is both deeply rooted in history and urgently contemporary.

Terence Blanchard, trumpet, synthesizers
Ben Wendel, saxophones
E-Collective:
Charles Altura, guitar
Julian Pollock, piano, keyboard, synthesizers
David Ginyard, Jr., electric bass
Oscar Seaton, drums

About Terence Blanchard
Terence Blanchard is one of the most influential and expansive voices in contemporary jazz and American music. An eight-time Grammy winner, two-time Oscar nominee, and critically acclaimed trumpeter and composer, Blanchard is celebrated for work that bridges jazz, film, opera, theater, and orchestral music while confronting urgent social issues. The New York Times calls his output “one of the broadest and most imposing of any living jazz musician.”

Blanchard made history with Fire Shut Up in My Bones, which opened the Metropolitan Opera’s 2021–22 season—the first opera by an African American composer to premiere at the Met—and earned a Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording. His earlier opera Champion also received a Grammy following its Met premiere.

A longtime collaborator with Spike Lee, Blanchard has composed scores for more than 60 films, including BlacKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods. Born in New Orleans, he has released 20 albums as a leader and currently serves as Executive Artistic Director of SFJAZZ.

Attendance at all events is subject to the Festival security policy.

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