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Brian Blade

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Not to be confused with Brian Blades.
Brian Blade
Brian Blade performing August 9, 2008
Brian Blade performing August 9, 2008
Background information
GenresJazz, Alternative rock, Blues rock, Jazz fusion
Occupation(s)Musician
Bandleader
Composer
Instrument(s)Drums, Percussion, Guitar, Violin, Recorder
LabelsNonesuch, Columbia, Verve Records, Blue Note, Warner Bros.
WebsiteOfficial site

Brian Blade (born July 25, 1970) in Shreveport, Louisiana is an American jazz drummer, composer, session musician, and singer-songwriter.[1]

Biography

Early years

As a young boy, Blade grew up in a home in Shreveport, Louisiana in which he frequently heard Gospel music and soul music. In elementary school, his music appreciation classes furthered this musical upbringing, and at age nine he began playing the violin; he continued to do so until age thirteen, when he, inspired by his brother, Brady Blade, Jr., became a drummer.[2]

During highschool Brian began listening to the music of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Elvin Jones, and Joni Mitchell. By the age of eighteen, Brian moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University. During this period, he was able to study and play with most of the master musicians living in New Orleans, such as: John Vidacovich, Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Bill Huntington, Mike Pellera, John Mahoney, George French, Germaine Bazzle, David Lee, Jr., Alvin Red Tyler, Tony Dagradi and Harold Battiste.[3] Blade made his first recorded appearances as a sideman with Kenny Garrett and Joshua Redman and continued to work in that capacity with other musicians.

Fellowship Band, Friendly Travelers and sideman work

In 1998, Brian Blade formed Brian Blade Fellowship with pianist Jon Cowherd. Also joining the group were saxophonists Myron Walden and Melvin Butler, pedal steel Guitarist Dave Easley, and bassist Chris Thomas. This group released their self-titled debut album before adding guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel for 1999's Perceptual. Easley then departed before 2008's Season of Changes, which was released under the name Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band.

While continuing to work with the Fellowship Band, Blade has been a member of Wayne Shorter's most recent quartet. He has continued working as a studio musician and has recorded with Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell, Ellis Marsalis, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris, Bob Dylan, Dorothy Scott, Billy Childs, Chris Potter and David Binney. He has also played with Herbie Hancock and has been involved with guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel in the duo Friendly Travelers, who released their self-titled debut album in 2007. Recently, he has teamed up with Trixie Whitley (daughter of Chris Whitley), Daniel Lanois, and others in the band Black Dub.

Singer-Songwriter work

In 2009, Blade released his first album as a singer-songwriter, Mama Rosa. The album features Daniel Lanois and many of his bandmates from the Fellowship Band.[4]

Equipment

Blade primarily uses vintage Gretsch drums, but has been known to tour with a Canopus Club Kit in Japan.

Discography

Blade at INNtöne Jazzfestival 2006

As leader

As sideman

With Joshua Redman

With Wayne Shorter

With others

References

  1. ^ Allmusic biography
  2. ^ Official site - biography
  3. ^ Official site - biography
  4. ^ Allmusic review - Mama Rosa

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