Absence is a word that can instantly have a sense of sadness, but it can also have a sort of beauty, too – and that's definitely the case in this album of work done as a tribute to the great Wayne Shorter by trumpeter Terence Blanchard! The record's way more than just a collection of Shorter's tunes – and although it features a few numbers penned by the saxophonist, there's also a set of new music by Blanchard and his piansist too – really lovely numbers that have the trumpeter at his most evocative – in maybe a condensed expression of some of the modes he brings to his larger soundtrack material. The core group is his E-Collective – with Fabian Almazan on piano, Charles Altura on guitar, David Ginyard on bass, and Oscar Seaton on drums – but maybe the most interesting aspect of the record is the gentle use of the Turtle Island String Quartet, who shade in Blanchard's deeper ideas in a nicely subtle way. Titles include "I Dare You", "Envisioned Reflections", "When It Was Now", "Diana", "The Elders", "Dark Horse", "The Second Wave", and "Fall". CD

Warmth and magic from Terence Blanchard – an album of simple beauty and timeless soul that's one of the best we've heard from him to date! The set features a group that includes tenor, guitar, piano, Fender Rhodes, and organ – and overall, it's got a soulful depth that reminds us of some of the hidden treasures in mid 80s soul jazz. Blanchard never tries to overstate his case, but plays within a world of confident righteousness that issues forth in waves of well-stated sound, color, and tone. Titles include "Fred Brown", "Passionate Courage", "On The Verge", "Innocence", "Transform", and "Footprints". CD

The rare instrumental score to Clockers – very mature work from Terence Blanchard! CD

Features Blanchard on trumpet, Sam Newsome on tenor, Bruce Barth on piano, Rodney Whitaker on bass, and Troy Davis on drums. Tracks include "Lil' Fawdy", "Central Focus", "Dear Old Stockholm", "Detour Ahead", and the medley "Glass J/Mo' Better Blues/Lonely Woman". CD

Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Branford Marsalis and Sam Newsome on tenor saxophone, Bruce Barth on piano, Rodney Whitaker on double bass, and Jeff Watts and Troy Davis on drums. CD

Features Blanchard on trumpet, Bruce Barth on piano, Chris Thomas on bass, Troy Davis on drums, and Jeanie Bryson on vocals. Tracks include "Detour Ahead", "In My Solitude", "I Cried For You", "Don't Explain", "Strange Fruit", "Lady Sings The Blues", and "What A Little Moonlight Can Do". CD

Music from the Spike Lee film – composed and conducted by Terence Blanchard. CD

Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Sam Newsome on tenor saxophone, Bruce Bath on piano, Tarus Mateen on bass, and Troy Davis on drums. CD

Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Edward Simon and Ivan Lins on piano, Oscar Castro-Neves on guitar, David Bohanovich and Fred Zlotkin on cello, David Pulphus on bass, Troy Davis on drums, and Paulinho Da Costa on percussion. CD

With Kenny Garrett on tenor saxophone, Edward Simon on piano, Chris Thomas on bass, Troy Davis on drums. CD

Features Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Brice Winston on tenor and soprano saxes, Aaron Parks on piano, Derrick Hodge on electric and acoustic bass, Kendrick Scott on drums and percussion, and Zach Harmon on tabla. CD

Features Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Donald Harrison on alto, Jean Toussaint on tenor, Tim Williams on trombone, Lonnie Plaxico on bass, and Mulgrew Miller on piano! CD

A relatively recent set from pianist McCoy Tyner, but one that shows the same great ear for choosing a horn that we love in his 70s classics! As with those records, a key force on the recording here is altoist Gary Bartz – a player who's always great on his own, but seems to take on a special energy in the company of Tyner – really stretching out with a soulful, spiritual vibe that matches McCoys musical vision wonderfully! Trumpeter Terence Blanchard is also in the group – a bit more let loose than usual – and the combo's completed by Christian McBride on bass and Lewis Nash on drums. Titles include "Angelina", "Illuminations", "New Orleans Stomp", "The Chase", "West Philly Tone Poem", and "Soulstice". CD

Two great 90s sessions from Cedar Walton – back to back in a single set! Composer is a record that not only shows off the great skills of pianist Cedar Walton as a composer, but one that also shows how he can really work a special sort of magic when he lets some horns into his group, and shifts from his usual mode in a trio! Walton's always wonderful on the keys – and works here with Christian McBride on bass and Victor Lewis on drums – but it's the presence of the hornmen on the record who really shade things wonderfully – the presence of Vincent Herring on alto, Ralph Moore on tenor, and Roy Hargrove on trumpet – all really bringing out some great qualities in Walton's original tunes. Titles include "Martha's Prize", "Minor Controversy", "Hindsight", "Groove Passage", "Theme For Jobim", and "Groundwork". Roots is a masterpiece of color from pianist Cedar Walton – a set that has all the right elements and instruments really opening up his sound! The core trio is excellent – Cedar on piano, Ron Carter on bass, and the great Lewis Nash on drums – at his crackling 90s best – yet these players are expanded in all these great tonal ways – with rich tenor from Joshua Redman, sparkling trumpet from Terence Blanchard, and great guitar from Mark Whitfield – who really seems to echo Cedar's sense of color on his strings. Titles include "Mode For Joe", "Bolivia", "Fiesta Espanol", "Firm Roots", "I'll Let You Know", and "When Love Is New". CD

Includes Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Jean Toussaint on tenor, Donald Harrison on alto, Lonnie Plaxico on bass and Mulgrew Miller on piano. CD

Early work from this great pianist – in a quintet with Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Javon Jackson on tenor, Peter Washington on bass, and Tony Reedus on drums. LP, Vinyl record album

With Harbie Hancock on piano, Greg Kurstin on piano & keyboards, Gary Thomas on saxes, Wallace Roney & Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Kevin Eubanks, Paul Bollenback, Jeff Richman & Danny Robinson on guitar, Bob Hurst & Malcolm Jamal Warner on bass, Katisse Buckingham on soprano sax, Ed Barguiarena & Darryl Jackson on percussion & Teri Lyne Carrington on drums. CD

One of the key efforts from JJ Johnson's comeback years of the early 90s – a session recorded with some excellent tenor work from Ralph Moore and Jimmy Heath – both of whom cut a groove nicely next to JJ's trombone! The style here is almost an extension of the best Johnson work as a leader from the 60s – with some tunes that crackle in a soul jazz energy, next to others that are a bit more introspective and deeply arranged. Other players include Rene Rosnes and Stanley Cowell on piano, Victor Lewis and Lewis Nash on drums, and Terence Blanchard on trumpet – and titles include the originals "Hasten Jason", "Syntax", "May I Have Dis Dance", "Friendship Suite", "Stir Fry", and "Kenya". CD

A key recording from one of our favorite tenor talents of the 80s – the amazing Ralph Moore, a player who really carries on a strong legacy from the 60s work of Hank Mobley! Like Mobley, Moore's got a very rich-voiced sound that's steeped in tradition, but which is also never afraid to take chances too – a way of handling the tenor that few of his contemporaries could match, which is probably why Ralph's presence really upped the ante on so many dates at the time as a sideman. He's even better as a leader, though, and this standout set for Landmark is a real gem – a record filled with freely creative energy throughout, and a never-ending sense of soul – as Moore's tenor is set up nicely in a core group with Benny Green on piano, Peter Washington on bass, and Kenny Washington on drums – the latter of whom brings some of the same magic to this set that Billy Higgins did to Blue Note in the 60s. Terence Blanchard plays trumpet on 4 of the album's tracks – and titles include "Punjab", "Freeway", "Enigma", "Blues For John", "One Second Please", and "Episode From A Village Dance". Also includes the CD-only bonus track "Morning Star". CD

A soul jazz gem from drummer Alvin Queen – one of the overlooked treasures on his own Nilva Records label from the 80s! The set's a monster all the way through – a cut above so many other sides like this from the time, and put together with a sock-solid energy that almost recalls earlier brilliance on labels like Blue Note or Prestige! Queen's at the head of the group on drums – pushing the lineup with Blakey-like intensity, yet in a slightly looser, more open feel overall – especially when it comes to the structure of the solos. Players include Manny Boyd on saxes, Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Robin Eubanks on trombone, John Hicks on piano, and Ray Drummond on bass – the last of whom produced the record with a very jazz-sensitive ear! Titles include "Hassan", "Europia", "Jammin Uptown", "After Liberation", and "Mind Wine". CD also features the bonus track "Hear Me Drummin". CD

The debut of a great singer on Blue Note – and one who plays her own piano and Fender Rhodes as well! Kandace Springs has a gentle style that's part soul, and part jazz – as expressive as the former at most moments, but with a lot of jazz-based phrasing in the instrumentation, which underscores the message in her music in a really wonderful way! Light keyboard currents step nicely through more acoustic instrumentation – all with a laidback flow that's the perfect pace for the singer at her best. Terence Blanchard plays guest trumpet on two tracks – and titles include "Soul Eyes", "I Thought It Would Be Easier", "Place To Hide", "Novocaine Heart", "Rain Falling", "Too Good To Last", "Fall Guy", "Neither Old Nor Young", and "The World Is A Ghetto". CD

Two Art Blakey killers – packaged in a single set! First up is New York Scene – overlooked genius from Art Blakey's 80s years – a time when he was recording for a variety of smaller labels, but turning out work that was every bit as fresh and vibrant as his sides from the 60s and 70s! As always with the Jazz Messengers, the group's filled with up-and-coming jazz talents that really make the record great – trumpet from Terence Blanchard, tenor from Jean Toussaint, alto from Donald Harrison, piano from Mulgrew Miller, and bass from Lonnie Plaxico – all players who leave their own imprint strongly on the record, yet still fall into line with the core groove supplied by Blakey's drums. Titles include Blanchard's "Oh By The Way", Harrison's "Controversy", and Miller's "Falafel" – all wonderfully soulful numbers – plus a "Ballad Medley", and a version of "Tenderly". Live At Kimballs is a smoking club set – recorded with Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Donald Harrison on alto, Jean Toussaint on tenor, and Mulgrew Miller on piano! The group's got a great soulful swing, and titles include "Jody", "second Thoughts", "Dr Jeckyl", "You & The Night & The Music", and "Old Folks". CD

With Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Branford Marsalis on alto and soprano, Cecil McBee on bass, and Al Foster on drums. Titles include "Zingaro", "Dr Chang", "Cosmonaut", and "Estilo Magnifico". LP, Vinyl record album

Like any Spike Lee soundtrack from the 80s, this one's a mix of many different styles – with some straight-out pop tracks, like EU's hit "Da Butt", or a number of throwaway 80s R&B tracks by lost groups. The best moments, as usual, are the jazzy ones – like Phyllis Hyman's sweet "Be One", Bill Lee's spiritual "Wake Up Suite", and Kenny Barron & Terence Blanchard's duet on "One Little Acorn". LP, Vinyl record album

An amazing debut from bassist Derrick Hodge – an artist we've loved for his work in the Robert Glaper Experiment, and his previous performances with Terence Blanchard, Common, and Maxwell! Hodge has a deep, round sound that really bridges different worlds of jazz and soul – and while his resume of previous work is very impressive, his sound here is something new altogether – a spacious groove that often puts the bass right out in front, sometimes loping gently alongside keyboards, sometimes finding this special space that's airy, yet never too ethereal – a really fresh, soulful sort of style! Hod plays a bit of keyboards on the record too – and other musicians include both Robert Glasper and James Poyser on keyboards, Chris Dave on drums and percussion, Keyon Harold on trumpet, and Common on guest vocals on one track. Titles include "Live Today", "Dances With Ancestors", "Anthem In 7", "Still The One", "The Real", and "Table Jawn". CD

Features Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Steve Wilson on alto and soprano, and Geri Allen on piano! CD

An assortment of jazz, blues, and gospel – with music from Tramaine Hawkins, Asante, Puff Johnson, Dionne Farris, Terence Blanchard, Blind Willie Johnson, Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson, Miles Davis, Major Lance, James Brown, and many others! CD

Billy Childs on piano, Steve Wilson on alto and soprano saxophone, Ravi Coltrane on tenor saxophone, Luis Bonilla on trombone, Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Dave Holland on bass, and Jeff Watts on drums. CD

One of the boldest artists on the revived Blue Note label in the late 80s – drummer Ralph Peterson, working here with a really great group of younger talents too! The fire of the musicians really hints at all the power they'd unleash in the coming decade – and the group features Steve Wilson on alto and soprano sax, Terence Blanchard on trumpet, and Geri Allen on piano – each bursting with new ideas and a very youthful sort of energy – streaming new sounds and thoughts at just about every moment. Wilson's especially great – and titles include "Monief", "Enemy Within", "Bebopskerony", and "Viola's Dance". CD

A great later jazz set from Toots Thielemans – recorded half in New York and half in LA – as you might guess from the title! The sound is still very much Toots' own, though – no easy nods to styles from either city in earlier years – and despite the fact that the record is on the Private Music label, which could sometimes put out snoozy new age, it's definitely a jazz date through and through – with relatively stripped down small combo instrumentation on all numbers. Players include John Scofield on guitar, Christian Mc Bride and Charlie Haden on bass, Mike Maineri on vibes, Terence Blanchard on trumpet, Lyle Mays on piano, and Peter Erskine on drums – and tracks include "In Walked Bud", "Con Alma", "Groovin High", "In Your Own Sweet Way", "Giant Steps", "Waltz For Debby", "A Child Is Born", and "Take Five". CD

Two different slices of Art Blakey – served up here in a 3CD set! Moanin isn't the Blue Note album of the same name, but a fantastic live set from 1968 – recorded after Blakey's classic Blue Note years, but with a group of fantastic players that includes a young Billy Harper on tenor, Ronnie Matthews on piano, and Julian Priester on trombone. Harper alone is worth the price of the CD – as his firey solos are great, and the whole album's an excellent peek at his early career! There's a sense of open freedom here that's quite different than the earlier Jazz Messengers groove – and this European date is a great complement to the better-known US live recording with the same group from the time. The set features a number of nice long tracks – like Slide Hampton's "Slide's Delight", Billy Harper's "Blues For Eros", Bobby Timmons' "Moanin", and the Jazz Messengers' standard "You Don't Know What Love Is". Sesjun Radio Shows 1 is fantastic radio performances from one of our favorite stretches of the legendary Jazz Messengers group – a time when the lineup featured a young Bobby Watson on alto and Valery Ponomarev on trumpet – two players who'd grow into fantastic leaders on their own, but who here help bring a lot of new life to the group! Watson is especially wonderful – contributing a few key compositions, and that soaring spirit in his horn, which really helped usher in a whole new generation for Blakey's group. James Williams is on piano too, and we actually love his work in this group more than on his later sets as a leader – and remaining players include David Schnitter on tenor on the first six tracks, and Billy Pierce on the horn on the remaining two – and either Dennis Irwin or Charles Fambrough on bass. Art's still the rock-solid core of the group – a tremendous leader who always gets fantastic performances out of young players – and titles include "ETA", "Dr J", "Free For All", "Along Came Betty", "ETA", and "Evaline". Sesjun Radio Shows 2 is live work from the great Art Blakey – a set that features two different performances from two really great groups! The first two cuts are from 1980 – from a time when the Jazz Messengers features up and coming 80s giants Bobby Watson on alto, Valery Ponomarev on trumpet, Billy Pierce on tenor, James Williams on piano, and Charles Fambrough on bass – all young musicians who'd evolve into leaders on their own in a few short years after these recordings, but who really sparkle here under Blakey's leadership! The cuts feature a great take on the Williams tune "1977 AD", and a long version of the Jazz Messengers standard "Blues March". The last four tracks feature a slightly later group – still with Fambrough on bass, but including wonderful tenor and soprano sax work from Jean Toussaint, plus trumpet from Terence Blanchard, alto from Donald Harrison, and piano from Johnny O'Neal – an equally great lineup, but in a completely different way. Titles include a great take on the Fambrough tune "Little Man" – plus "Polka Dots & Moonbeams" and "Moanin". CD