Terence Blanchard and Hugh Masekela at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

October 3, 2010 Category: Entertainment Posted by: adminphilasun

The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts presents not one but two Grammy award-winning trumpet players over the course of two October evenings. First, Grammy award-winning trumpeter and composer Terence Blanchard takes the stage on Sunday, October 3, at 7:00 PM to perform music from his beautifully haunting and impassioned song-cycle, A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina), about the physical and emotional ravages visited upon the city of New Orleans and its residents by Hurricane Katrina. Then, on Friday, October 8 at 8:00 PM, legendary South African trumpet player Hugh Masekela performs a mix of old favorites and music from his most recent album Phola. Both performances take place in the Zellerbach Theatre. For tickets or for more information, please visit AnnenbergCenter.org or call 215.898.3900. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Annenberg Center Box Office.

Terence Blanchard has established himself as one of the most influential jazz musicians and film score masters of his generation, a member of a jazz legacy that has shaped the contours of modern jazz today. With more than 29 albums to his credit, Blanchard is a multi-Grammy® Award winner, including a Grammy® Award in 2008 for his CD, “A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina.)”

As a film composer, Blanchard has more than 50 scores to his credit and received a Golden Globe nomination for Spike Lee’s 25th Hour. In 2008, he completed the score for Lee’s Miracle at St. Anna, as well as the soundtrack for Darnell Martin’s Cadillac Records. Other film music written by Blanchard includes Kasi Lemmons’ Eve’s Bayou and Talk to Me, Oprah Winfrey’s Their Eyes Were Watching God, Tim Story’s Barbershop, Ron Shelton’s Dark Blue and Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.

Blanchard will be joined by Fabian Almazan, piano; Joshua Crumbly, bass; Kendrick Scott, drums; and Brice Winston, saxophone.

Hugh Masekela, performer, composer, producer and social activist, is best known for his integral role in Paul Simon’s tour behind the classic album Graceland . Masekela’s Grammy award-winning hit “Grazing in the Grass” sold over 4 million copies and made him an international star. Masekela also co-created the Broadway smash musical Sarafina that introduced the sounds and passion of South African music to theater audiences worldwide. This past April he received The Order of Ikhamanga from South African President Jacob Zuma, his nation’s highest civilian honor. This summer, Masekela appeared in the live opening ceremony broadcast of the FIFA World Cup. As part of ESPN’s coverage of the World Cup, Masekela and his son Selema hosted a series of videos entitled “Umlando—Through My Father’s Eyes.”

Masekela will be joined on stage by Francis Manneh Fuster, percussion; Abednigo “Fana” Zulu, bass; Randall Skippers, keyboards; Lee-Roy Sauls, drums; and Cameron John Ward, guitar.