Terence Blanchard is a renowned American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader, born on March 13, 1962, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He gained early recognition as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and later became a prolific composer for film, most notably collaborating with director Spike Lee on several projects. Blanchard has released numerous acclaimed albums and has received multiple Grammy Awards for his innovative work in both jazz performance and composition. Additionally, he broke new ground as the first African American composer to have an opera, "Fire Shut Up in My Bones," premiere at the Metropolitan Opera in 2021. Throughout his career, Blanchard has been celebrated for his distinct sound and his contributions to the evolution of jazz and classical music.