Terence Blanchard

Terence Blanchard's Fire Shut Up in My Bones is the first presentation of a work by a Black composer in the Met Opera's 138-year history. Ken Howard/Met Opera hide caption

alt-J's "U&ME" is featured in October's edition of Heavy Rotation. Rosie Matheson/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Rather than a heroic journey, the story at the center of Blanchard's opera is one of self-discovery, with an assured, tactile specificity which includes a boistrous fraternity step routine that opens Act III. Ken Howard/Met Opera hide caption

Jazz trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard. Henry Adebonojo/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Terence Blanchard reveals his creative process to compose "Blood and Soil" for the 2018 Spike Lee film BlacKkKlansman. NPR hide caption

Kacey Musgraves made a point of showcasing her gentler side during her 2015 Tiny Desk Concert, but as it so often does, rowdiness prevailed in the end. Lydia Thompson /NPR hide caption

Terence Blanchard's new album with the E-Collective, LIVE, comes out April 20. Henry Adebonojo /Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Aubrey Allicock (right) portrays boxing champ Emile Griffith in his prime, along with Andrew McLaughlin, in Terence Blanchard's Champion, at Washington National Opera. Scott Suchman/Washington National Opera hide caption

Terence Blanchard plays the role of Miles Davis' trumpet with commitment and emotion at Monterey. Cole Thompson hide caption

Wayne Shorter. Robert Ashcroft/Courtesy of the artist hide caption