Terence Blanchard(I)

As composer, Blanchard has collaborated with director Spike Lee for over three decades, beginning with Aule Turbolente (1988).

[on 'Champion' his jazz opera about gay boxer Emile Griffith] I was just compelled by the whole notion of a person who could be that accomplished and not really share the moment of winning the championship with somebody that he loved. It speaks volumes of where we are as a society and how we need to really check ourselves, especially those of us who call ourselves compassionate human beings. It is a compelling story and hopefully we'll start to engage in a more in-depth conversation about being universally tolerant in this country.