Terence Blanchard has announced plans to release a modern-day protest album on May 26, 2015.

Titled ‘Breathless,’ the album will see Blanchard and his new The E-Collective quintet explore new ground in a fusion album that’s “teeming with funk, R&B, and blues” according to a press release.

“My latest album, Breathless, is my attempt to underscore the three words: ‘I Can’t Breathe,'” 53-year-old Blanchard said in a statement. “This is our E-Collective version of a protest album, without the firebrand lyrics of Phil Ochs, but in mood and purpose.”

“I can’t breathe” were, of course, the last words of Eric Garner; who died in New York City after a police officer placed him in an illegal choke-hold. Although the medical examiner ruled Garner’s death a homicide, the police officer that choked him to death, Daniel Pantaleo, was not indited and will not stand trial for causing Garner’s death.

“Soldiers,” the first single from the album, was released earlier today. Listen below:

‘Breathless’ will mix covers from the likes of Les McCann, Hank Williams, and Coldplay with original material from Blanchard and his collective; which includes Charles Altura (Guitar), Fabian Almazan (Piano and Synths), Donald Ramsey (Bass), and Oscar Seaton (Drums).

PJ Morton, of Maroon 5 fame, will also guest on the album, taking the lead on the famous Les McCann and Eddie Harris tune “Compared to What.”

Later this year Blanchard will also perform a range of live dates with his E-Collective, including an appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and a residency at New York’s Jazz Standard.

Check out the full list of upcoming tour dates below:

April 24: Hanover, NH – Dartmouth College
April 25: Boston, MA – Celebrity Series at Berklee
May 2: New Orleans, LA – New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
May 2: New Orleans, LA – Le Petit Theatre
May 6: Evanston, IL – SPACE
May 7: Omaha, NE – Holland Performing Arts Center
May 8-10: Denver, CO – Dazzle Restaurant & Lounge
May 27-31: New York, NY – Jazz Standard
June 9: Indianapolis, IN – Jazz Kitchen
June 10-13: St. Louis, MO – Jazz at The Bistro
June 14: Los Angeles, CA – Playboy Jazz Festival at Hollywood Bowl
June 16-21: Washington, DC – Blues Alley
July 4: Madera Island, Portugal – Funchal Jazz Festival
July 5: Sussex, UK – Love Supreme Festival
July 6-8: Paris, France – Duc des Lombards
July 10: Rotterdam, Netherlands – North Sea Jazz Festival
July 13: Czech Republic – Bohemia Jazz Fest
July 16: Perugia, Italy – Perugia Jazz Festival
September 16: Los Angeles, CA – Grammy Museum
September 17-18: Monterey, CA – Monterey Jazz Festival

‘Breathless’ Track Listing:

  1. Compared to What (Les McCann)
  2. See Me As I Am
  3. Everglades (Fabian Almazan)
  4. Breathless
  5. Confident Selflessness
  6. Shutting Down (T. Oliver Blanchard, Jr.)
  7. Soldiers
  8. Samadhi
  9. Talk to Me
  10. Tom & Jerry
  11. I Ain’t Got Nothin’ But Time (Hank Williams)
  12. Cosmic Warrior
  13. Midnight (Coldplay)