Terence Blanchard

JAZZ A searching, restless musician whose work has been heard onscreen with George Lucas' recent "Red Tails" as well as many of the films of Spike Lee, New Orleans-based Terence Blanchard is one of the top forces for good in jazz. His most recent album "Choices" finds the trumpeter looking toward the words of Cornel West for inspiration but Blanchard along with a young band that includes pianist Fabian Almazan will surely be in fine voice as well. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6735 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. $25-$30 http://www.catalinajazzclub.com .

JAZZ A searching, restless musician whose work has been heard onscreen with George Lucas' recent "Red Tails" as well as many of the films of Spike Lee, New Orleans-based Terence Blanchard is one of the top forces for good in jazz. His most recent album "Choices" finds the trumpeter looking toward the words of Cornel West for inspiration but Blanchard along with a young band that includes pianist Fabian Almazan will surely be in fine voice as well. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6735 W. Sunset Blvd., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. $25-$30 http://www.catalinajazzclub.com .

MOVIES Open Projector Night The Sklar Brothers host an evening of short films (less than 10 minutes each) by novice auteurs in a wide range of genres and formats. Per the museum, filmmakers should think "showdown" rather than "showcase." Submissions accepted at 7 p.m.; screenings at 7:30 p.m. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Free. (310) 443-7000. hammer.ucla.edu. JAZZ Terence Blanchard The jazz composer scored many of Spike Lee's best films, but the hard bop artist first cut his teeth as a player with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.

JAZZ Maybe one of the most underrated saxophonists working today, Walter Smith III has performed with Terence Blanchard, Christian Scott and Jason Moran in addition to releasing three albums as a bandleader that included the inviting 2010 album "III. " His deft interplay with rising star Ambrose Akinmusire was among the highlights of the trumpeter's celebrated 2011 album, and Akinmusire will join Smith along with two members of Kneebody in a quintet that's sure to throw sparks downtown.

Trust trumpeter Terence Blanchard to tackle something new. Besides post-bop modern jazz that is still his core mode, the 34-year-old Blanchard has explored the music of Billie Holiday and written the soundtracks to "Malcolm X" and "Clockers," both Spike Lee films. Now the trumpeter, who plays Tuesday through Saturday at the Jazz Bakery, has turned his attention to songs from Brazil, and those by singer-songwriter Ivan Lins in particular.

When Terence Blanchard blasted onto the jazz scene in the early 1980s as one of the card-carrying "Young Lions," he was known for a time as "the other" trumpet player. Not for long. Blanchard quickly carved out a place for himself on the scene, first taking over trumpeter Wynton Marsalis' chair with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the mid-'80s, then segueing into an ensemble he led with saxophonist Donald Harrison.

Terence Blanchard, now at the Jazz Bakery, has been gaining a reputation as a writer of superior movie scores . But because of his prowess as a trumpeter and leader, he remains a major force on the jazz scene. Blanchard, whose current album is a tribute to Billie Holiday, opened Thursday with a slow, haunting version of "Lady Sings the Blues," a song written for and recorded by her. He immediately showed himself capable of a rare emotional poignancy.

In Spike Lee's "Mo' Better Blues," that rare movie about jazz in which actors playing musicians actually act and talk like them, Denzel Washington gives what may be the most believable on-screen impression yet of a soloist in full flight.

Terence Blanchard admits he didn't do the right thing by showing up in L.A. Lakers garb when he started working with Spike Lee on the soundtrack to the 1988 film "School Daze." But Lee persuaded Blanchard to root for his favorite NBA team, the New York Knicks, and their relationship has been harmonious ever since. The trumpeter was already a rising jazz star when Lee gave him the chance to write his first complete score for 1991's "Jungle Fever."

Trumpeter Blanchard brings new elements and an often invigorating lineup to his first album since he worked on the Spike Lee film "Mo' Better Blues" as arranger, trumpeter and trumpet instructor for actor Denzel Washington. There are four Blanchard originals, of which the hyperventilating "Wandering Wonder" and the hectic "Azania" are a little too effusive--the latter has an overlong drum solo.

What: Chucho Valdes & The Afro Cuban Messengers • Cubano Be Cubano Bop: Poncho Sanchez & His Latin Jazz Band with Terence Blanchard Where: Walt Disney Concert Hall When: 8 tonight. Price: $39 to $111 (remaining seats). Information: http://www.laphil.org

Foreign visitation to the U.S. was up 5% in the first five months of the year, compared with the same period in 2010, the U.S. Commerce Department says . . . . Grand Canyon Railway is accepting reservations for its popular Polar Express trips . This year's nightly runs will depart at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. They begin Nov. 11  . . . .  Davey's Locker , a Southern California whale watching and sports fishing outfit, also...

MOVIES Open Projector Night The Sklar Brothers host an evening of short films (less than 10 minutes each) by novice auteurs in a wide range of genres and formats. Per the museum, filmmakers should think "showdown" rather than "showcase." Submissions accepted at 7 p.m.; screenings at 7:30 p.m. Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Free. (310) 443-7000. hammer.ucla.edu. JAZZ Terence Blanchard The jazz composer scored many of Spike Lee's best films, but the hard bop artist first cut his teeth as a player with the Lionel Hampton Orchestra and Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.

Lula Washington Dance Theatre Where: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts When: 8 p.m. Saturday Price: $24 to $48 Contact: (562) 467-8818 or www.cerritoscenter.com Also: May 15 at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, July 7 with trumpeter Terence Blanchard at the Hollywood Bowl and July 24 at Grand Performances

The Hollywood Bowl is empty when Terence Blanchard lifts his horn. It's a Wednesday afternoon, and this is the final rehearsal for a tribute concert to trumpeter Miles Davis and arranger Gil Evans set to take place later in the evening. Blanchard requires no audience for this moment. He just closes his eyes to blow. The songs immediately in front of him and a 20-piece jazz orchestra are from a 1958 recording of Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess," one of the many Davis-Evans collaborations Blanchard studied obsessively as a young horn player in New Orleans.

When Terence Blanchard blasted onto the jazz scene in the early 1980s as one of the card-carrying "Young Lions," he was known for a time as "the other" trumpet player. Not for long. Blanchard quickly carved out a place for himself on the scene, first taking over trumpeter Wynton Marsalis' chair with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in the mid-'80s, then segueing into an ensemble he led with saxophonist Donald Harrison.

As it travels through its modest peaks and not so deep valleys, this album is a bit of a disappointment. While Blanchard has never been known as primarily a melodic player, his work in that area with his quintet--which plays May 26-29 at the Jazz Bakery--has become increasingly appealing.

Except for those written for musicals, few soundtrack scores have a logical raison d'etre. The album has a comparably short shelf life, mainly because it comprises fragments, lifted out of context, converted from background to foreground music. This score is no exception. There are 26 cuts here, some only a minute or less.

Terence Blanchard's vibrant trumpet lines echoed through Catalina Bar & Grill on Thursday night with the clarion assertiveness of the legendary Buddy Bolden. Although no recordings of Bolden -- often described as the "father of jazz" -- have survived, his powerful turn-of-the-20th century performances established New Orleans as the music's founding home.

Terence Blanchard admits he didn't do the right thing by showing up in L.A. Lakers garb when he started working with Spike Lee on the soundtrack to the 1988 film "School Daze." But Lee persuaded Blanchard to root for his favorite NBA team, the New York Knicks, and their relationship has been harmonious ever since. The trumpeter was already a rising jazz star when Lee gave him the chance to write his first complete score for 1991's "Jungle Fever."