One of the key figures in the ’80s jazz resurgence that introduced the world to Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Donald Harrison and many others, New Orleans-born trumpeter Terence Blanchard fell in love with the instrument at an early age. He started his career as a sideman with Lionel Hampton and Art Blakley’s Messengers (replacing childhood friend Wynton Marsalis). He pursued a solo career in the ’90s. Not long after, he connected with movie director Spike Lee and has since written scores for every one of Lee’s films (starting with 1991’s Jungle Fever). Blanchard also appeared in Lee’s poignant 2006 documentary When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts, recalling a return to his hometown, where his mother’s house was completely destroyed. Blanchard has been busy writing movie scores (he now has more than 40 of them on his résumé), but he remains faithful to his jazz roots by regularly performing with his quintet. His current tour includes cuts from the Grammy-awarded Requiem, but he’s also throwing in some fan favorites. Blanchard performs tonight and tomorrow at 7 and 9 p.m. at Nighttown (12387 Cedar Rd., Cleveland Hts., 216.795.0550). Tickets: $25. — Ernest Barteldes
