Brian Blade
PROJECTS:
5-time Grammy Award winner Brian Blade is one of the most sought-after drummers in jazz today. A key member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Blade has recorded and performed alongside the likes of Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones, Chick Corea, and many other notable artists. Since 1998, Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band have infused Blade's Louisiana gospel roots into jazz in a "vision of spirited convergence" (NPR).
From about age nine to age thirteen, Brian Blade played violin in the school orchestra and continued to play until following in the footsteps of his older brother, Brady l. Blade, Jr. who played the drums in the Zion church. During high school, both Brady, Jr. and Brian were students of Dorsey Summerfield, Jr. and performed as part of his professional group called “the Polyphonics”. During this time and through his experience with Mr. Summerfield, Brian began listening to the music of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Elvin Jones, and Joni Mitchell.
In 1988, Brian moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University. It was at this time that Brian met Jon Cowherd and the roots of the Fellowship Band began. Both Brian and Jon were able to study and play with most of the master musicians living in New Orleans, including: 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. There were many inspiring musicians living and visiting New Orleans who helped Brian in his development. Some of these friends are Chris Thomas, Peter Martin, Nicholas Payton, Antoine Drye, Martin Butler, Delfeayo Marsalis, Joshua Redman, Harry Connick, Jr., Gray Mayfield, Marcus Roberts, Victor Goines and Daniel Lanois.
In 1998, Brian and Jon Cowherd began recording their own music with the group “The Fellowship”. Band members Chris Thomas, Myron Walden, and Melvin Butler have performed at esteemed venues like the Village Vanguard and festivals such as the Ottawa Jazz Fest, Newport Jazz Fest, and the New Orleans Jazz Fest. Over the decades that the band has existed, they have released seven recordings. Their debut, FELLOWSHIP in 1998, PERCEPTUAL in 2000, SEASON OF CHANGES in 2008, LANDMARKS in 2014, BODY AND SHADOW in 2017, LIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES in 2022, and KINGS HIGHWAY in 2023.
PRESS QUOTES:
“one of the world’s greatest drummers”
NPR
“Drummer, composer, bandleader: the words seem inadequate. Brian Blade is an experience.”
JazzTimes
“Brian Blade’s Fellowship Band has been one of the most interesting proponents of a new jazz”
Popmatters
