Russel Blake

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Born: May 27, 1961 Primary Instrument: Bass, electric

Mr. Russel Blake has been a professional musician, solo artist, and educator for over three decades. He received his initial music instruction from his father, jazz great Alex Blake, and from his brother, jazz artist Alex Blake II. But Russel Blake’s theory, compositional, and musical arrangement skills are all self-taught.

As an educator, Mr. Blake has taught as an Adjunct Professor of Electrical Bass Studies at four universities across the country. To date, he has performed, toured, and lectured in 65 countries on five continents.

Blake is the creator of “The Universal Language Music History & Cultural Program” through which he has taught the history of music to a variety of audiences, from elementary through high school, colleges and universities, to senior centers, prisons, hospitals, military installations, and art galleries.

Contracted by the U.S. State Department, Russel Blake has performed as an Ambassador of Goodwill to eight West African nations. He has also been contracted to teach and perform by the U.S. Defense Department’s Defense Advanced Research Agency.

Blake has developed a unique ability on the four string electric bass which he calls the “Melodius-Chordal Technique.” He currently has over 432 pieces within his repertoire encompassing classical, Spanish classical. traditional jazz, brazilian, opera, Latin, and gospel jazz.

As a bassist, the list of artists he has performed, toured, or recorded with includes five years as the exclusive bassist for jazz great Sonny Rollins, as well as stints with Pharoah Sanders, Hugh Masekela, Paquito D’Rivera, Hilton Ruiz, Chaka Kahn, Wallace Roney, Hiram Bullock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Harry Belafonte, Machito Y Su Orquesta, Dave Valentin, Michel Camillo, Sam Rivers, Clark Terry, Mary Wells, Wynton Marsalis, Melba Moore, Brenda Russell, and Cybill Shepherd.

Blake has also performed on Broadway as a bassist in the The Lion King and Dreamgirls.

As a music producer, Mr. Blake has multitude of projects. His latest project Quiet Strength is a powerful and soulful jazz project that gives the listener the ability to experience all facets of Mr. Blake’s musical skills. Other projects include Silent Power, the Ten Fingers & Four Strings Solo Series and the Symposium Of Praise. The project contains a mixture of strong traditional jazz, gospel, and classical compositions.

Awards:

Russel Blake is the recipient of the Kellogg Foundation’s prestigious "Artist in Residency" Award.

Last Updated: February 10, 2009

As a Leader

Ten Fingers & Four Strings Solo Series (4 Vols.)
Man of Psalms Records
2008

Quiet Strength
Man of Psalms Records
2008

Silent Power
Man of Psalms Records
2007

As A Side Musician

Milestone Profiles
Sonny Rollins
Fantasy Records
2006

Jazz Baby 3 CD Series
Cybill Shepherd
Casablanca Kids
2005

In The Street
The Village People
Can't Stop Productions
1999

Something Grand
Hilton Ruiz
RCA / Novus
1986

Sunny Days, Starry Nights
Sonny Rollins
Milestone
1984

Blowin'
Paquito D'Rivera
CBS Records
1981

House of Music
TS Monk
Mirage Records
1981

More of the Good Life
TS Monk
Mirage Records
1981

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