Wandering Moon
Terence Blanchard emerged as a young lion in the 1980s along with his New Orleans homeboy and fellow trumpeter,Wynton Marsalis. Blanchard released several recordings withDonald Harrisonand scored a few soundtracks, including Spike Lee'sMo' Better BluesandMalcolm X. This splendid album follows his film music tribute,Jazz in Film, and returns Blanchard to the straight-ahead fold. With an even singing and swinging tone, Blanchard is backed by drummer Eric Harland, pianist Ed Simon, and newcomer alto and tenor saxophonists Brice Winston and Aaron Fletcher. The legendary bassistDave Hollandanchors the bottom and ensures the grooves. Blanchard's melodically compelling compositions range from the mystical moods of "Luna Viajera" and "Sweet's Dream" (an elegy to the late trumpeterHarry "Sweets" Edison) to the uptempo "Sidney's Song" (for clarinetistSidney Bechet), which recall's Blanchard's days withArt Blakey's Jazz Messengers. On board forWandering Moonis another Jazz Messenger alumnus, tenor saxophonistBranford Marsalis, who displays hisWayne Shorter/John Coltranesolo signature on the '60s-style tunes "If I Could, I Would," "My Only Thought of You," and "Joe & O." On the standard "I Thought About You," Blanchard takes center stage with an ebullient trumpet voice that rings from the silver screen to the bandstand.--Eugene Holley, Jr.