Think movie soundtracks and you are likely to think of the glossy, sweeping orchestral numbers of composers like John Williams. However, movie scores have an illustrious, alternative history that embraces the smoky, sultry feel of jazz. American jazz masters like Oliver Nelson, Duke Ellington and Quincy Jones are a few that made their mark in movies.

For the last 13 years, Terence Blanchard has been the pre-eminent name in jazz composition for film. If you’ve seen any of Spike Lee’s films in the past decade, you’ve listened to the cool, complex sound of Terence Blanchard. Lee met the Louisiana native in 1988. In 1990, Spike asked him to write the music for “Mo’ Better Blues” and Blanchard has written the music for every Spike Lee movie since. He has also done work for Ron Shelton, and been the music behind Antonio Banderas, Samuel L. Jackson, and Angelina Jolie.

Movie music is not the only thing that Terence Blanchard does. He has a new label, a new band and a new album. Click the “Listen” link above to hear the rich textured, deep sound of Terence Blanchard’s music.

Guests:

Terence Blanchard. His new CD is “Bounce”