Composer Terence Blanchard Riffs on Music in Spike Lee Movies, from Do the Right Thing' to His Latest Joint, Da 5 Bloods'

Photo credit: Henry Adebonojo Jazz musician and composer Terence Blanchard has created the music behind 17 of director Spike Lee's films-but composing for film was never his original intention. I wasn't aware of the role of a film composer until I met Spike's dad, [jazz musician] Bill Lee. But once I witnessed the process of creating music for movies, I was intrigued and thought to myself, maybe one day, he told For the Record.

That day came sooner than he could have hoped. Originally a session player for some of Spike's early works, such as 1989's Do the Right Thing and 1990's Mo' Better Blues, Blanchard piqued Spike's curiosity when the director heard Blanchard's piano version of his original composition, Sing Soweto, on a break. From there, a decades-long partnership began.

Music has played a powerful part in Spike Lee's joints since Do the Right Thing. Spike's father, Bill, composed and performed much of the movie's score, which was punctuated with top hip-hop tracks such as Fight the Power by Public Enemy and Don't Shoot Me by Take 6. Do the Right Thing, which covers racial tensions over a summer day in Brooklyn, hasn't become any less relevant through the years, and has taken on a particular meaning and significance in recent weeks. The soundtrack, too, recently saw a surge in Spotify streams-spiking 249% on June 3 as compared to the previous week.

June 12 saw the release of Spike Lee's newest movie, Da 5 Bloods, about four African American Vietnam War veterans who return to Vietnam many years later on unfinished business. The Da 5 Bloods Official Playlist, which began streaming on Spotify May 29, speaks volumes of the powerful Lee-Blanchard partnership. The playlist includes a message from the director himself, as well as Blanchard's original compositions.

Da 5 Bloods was such a pleasure to be a part of, Blanchard said. Creating something entertaining, yet still paying homage to soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice, was something I can't find words for. I wanted to create music that would bring respect to what these soldiers have given us and also hopefully show them how much we care.

Spike Lee and Terence Blanchard at the scoring session for Da 5 Bloods.' 2020 Netlfix Inc. All rights Reserved. Photo by Matt Sayles

LINK:	https://newsroom.spotify.com/2020-06-23/composer-terence-blanchard-rif...
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