The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College presents Grammy-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard and The E-Collective set to perform on Wednesday, March 5, at 7:30pm in Durango, Colorado.
Terence Blanchard has been a powerful musical voice addressing American tragedies past and present. A true “Renaissance” man, he is one of jazz’s most esteemed trumpeters and a prolific composer for film, television, opera, Broadway, and orchestras. TheaterMania recently called him “the most exciting American composer working in opera today.”
An eight-time Grammy winner and twice Oscar-nominated composer, Blanchard was only the second African American composer to receive two nominations in the original score category at the Academy Awards, matching Quincy Jones’ achievement. His 2015 album Breathless honored Eric Garner, whose last words, “I can’t breathe,” became a civil rights rallying cry.
Blanchard’s opera Fire Shut Up in My Bones, based on Charles Blow’s memoir, premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in 2021, the first by an African American composer in the Met’s history. The Grammy-winning recording was hailed as “inspiring” by The New York Times. His earlier opera, Champion, about boxer Emile Griffith, premiered at the Met in 2023, and he also won a Grammy.
“Blanchard’s body of work is one of the broadest and most imposing of any living jazz musician.”
— New York Times
Born in New Orleans in 1962, Blanchard has released 20 albums, earned 15 Grammy nominations, and composed music for over 60 films. A 2024 NEA Jazz Master, he serves as the Executive Artistic Director of SF Jazz. His work continues to challenge and inspire audiences, solidifying his place as one of America’s most thought-provoking musical voices.
Tickets are $50, $40, and $30. To ensure authenticity and fair pricing, purchase tickets for all Community Concert Hall events exclusively at DurangoConcerts.com. Beware of third-party resellers, as they may overcharge or sell invalid tickets. For assistance, contact the Community Concert Hall Box Office at 970–247–7657, Monday through Friday, 12noon to 5pm.
The Community Concert Hall is a not-for-profit, multi-use performance venue located on the campus of Fort Lewis College. Its ability to bring a diverse spectrum of shows to Southwest Colorado is made possible through a partnership with the college, a state-supported, independent institution of higher education, and financial and in-kind contributions from generous community members.