The Terence Blanchard/Donald Harrison quintet of the 1980s never got the credit and accolades that they deserved. While some recognized their talents, they never reached the commercial success of the Wynton Marsalis led band (who was also putting out some top notch albums). The Blanchard/Harrison group released several fantastic albums that were creative, innovated and just down right amazing.

Black Pearl was the final album released by this trumpet/alto sax led quintet who together spent much of their time cutting their teeth with Art Blakey as Jazz Messengers. With both Terence and Donald sharing leadership, the band was very versatile. Listen to the dreamy title “Black Pearl” or ?Infinite Heart? and follow that with the cooking “The Center Piece” or ?Dizzy Gillespie?s Hands.? The group included Cyrus Chestnut on piano, Reginald Veal on bass and Carl Allen on drums. If you look up musical chemistry in the dictionary you will see this group referenced as #2(#1 being the Miles Davis Quintet of the early-mid 60s).

It’s may be hard to track this one down but if you do – you will not be disappointed. Special thanks for Larry Smithee for turning me on to Terence’s earlier bodies of work.