Such statements are always subjective, but I’m gonna say it anyway: Terence Blanchard is the current master of jazz in New Orleans. Perhaps he is the current master of jazz period. His latest CD is all the evidence needed.

That topic has already been discussed on this blog.

Terence Blanchard has been closely connected to The Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and was integral to bringing that institute to New Orleans. Click on that link: they have a very good website, where you can see a nice talk by Blanchard and some tunes by the students.

I know that I run the risk of overlinking this week (and I may have invented a word); nonetheless, here is a great video of Terence Blanchard teaching the jazz students, before the Institute moved to NO.

Mr. Blanchard, of course, is playing Jazz Fest this weekend. This time he will be accompanied by the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. If that sounds odd to you, listen to A Tale of God's Will: A Requiem for Katrina. And click that link, too: the intro to the site is impressive.

I almost didn’t put Blanchard on this week’s Music Friday, because I am worried that too many people will show up at the Jazz Tent (Friday, 5:25). Please, save me a seat if it gets too crowded. Luckily, last week’s Music Friday feature — Stevie Wonder — is playing at the same time.

Behind the cut, a nice sample of our man Terence in concert.