Article by John Kim

Terence Blanchard's latest album was released this August by Blue Note Records. "A Tale of God's Will: A Requiem for Katrina" is an impassioned and introspective depiction of the events around the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, and its effects on New Orleans and its people. The album emerged from Terence's work on Spike Lee's award winning HBO documentary, "When the Levees Broke."

The CD begins with Ghost of Congo Square, an introduction to the culturally diverse heritidge of New Orleans, with its deep-roots in traditions of African folk music and dance. Following this first cut is Levees, which Terence describes as "the calm before the storm, later developing into utter devastation and turmoil." Terence's mournful "cries" and powerful "wails" on this track and throughout the rest of the CD beautifully expresses the heartbreak, anger and compassion of the aftermath of the hurricane.

"Ashé" a West African Yoruba word meaning "and so it shall be." It is a time of reflection on the events after the storm had past, and the flood waters receded, and gives wake to the realization of the tragedy poignantly depicted in Funeral Dirge and Mantra. The album ends with Dear Mom, Terence's personal account of the return journey to his mother's home in the Lower Ninth Ward where he was born. In their tearful resolve, he concludes, "Nothing will be as it was."

The album features music and performances by Terence Blanchard on trumpet and vocals, saxophonist Brice Winston, pianist Aaron Parks, drummer and percussionist Kendrick Scott, Derrick Hodge on bass, and also performances by Zach Harmon on tabla and The Northwest Sinfonia string ensemble. Audio Samples available on Amazon.com.