A Tale of God's Will

I saw Terence Blanchard perform earlier tonight on the opening night of the Portland Jazz Festival at Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.

Mr. Blanchard performed tracks from his latest album, "A Tale of God's Will". The music was composed in response to Hurricane Katrina. I became familiar with Mr. Blanchard and his work after viewing Spike Lee's "When The Levees Broke". He is a resident of New Orleans.

Powerful.

The man had real presence and his music wove a devastating tale of woe and desperation, a call unheeded.

The government's response to Hurricane Katrina at best horribly inadequate and at worst, pure criminal. You wonder what lies in the souls of men?

There is a famous photograph of George W. Bush observing the aftermath of the hurricane from the friendly confines of an airplane cabin. This was powerful art as well, yet it told a different story. This is a man who fears reality.

Terence Blanchard lived it. It is a part of his soul.