Post-bop trumpeter Terence Blanchard has moved out of the shadow of Wynton Marsalis, gone back home to New Orleans and forged a second career as a composer of sublime soundtrack music for directors such as Spike Lee.
"Jazz in Film" is lush, brooding stuff, from Alex North's haunting melody for "A Streetcar Named Desire" to Blanchard's own "Clockers." The latter offers a finely sculpted improvisation from tenor saxophonist Joe Henderson, who is also heard on Andre Previn's swirling "The Subterraneans," Bernard Herrmann's mournful "Taxi Driver," Duke Ellington's stately "Degas' Racing World" and Elmer Bernstein's lively "The Man With the Golden Arm."
Blanchard also elicits marvelous work from old partner Donald Harrison on alto saxophone, trombonist Steve Turre and the late pianist Kenny Kirkland.
