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Blake Wilner
Jazz guitarist/composer Blake Wilner was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1973 and has been based in London since 1999. Before moving to the UK, Wilner spent time in New York where he studied with jazz greats Rufus Reid, Richie De Rosa, Mick Goodrick, Kenny Wessell and Jeff Ciampa. His time in New York inspired his 2000 album of original compositions, A Thought of NYU for which he was awarded an ARTSWA grant to record. Wilner's second album, The Bookshop, was released in 2002 and featured music composed and inspired whilst living in London. In 2003 and 2004 he led the quartet on highly acclaimed Arts Council of England sponsored tours of the UK, the second of which promoted the UK release of his third recording The Reprieve. Subsequently this CD reached the finals of the Sony International Jazz Competition for independent recordings. His third UK tour is scheduled for November/December 2006. In 2005, Wilner performed extensively as a freelance musician and made a return visit for two months to New York. He composed extensively during this period which led to the subsequent recording of the quartets fourth CD, Interloper. To be released in June 2006.
In 2004 he was a finalist in the Jerwood/PRS Foundation Initiative and in APRAs Performance Development Awards. He was also selected to feature on a 2005 compilation of prominent Western Australian musicians (across all genres).
The quartet was featured on May 2004's Jazzwise compilation CD of Cheltenham Jazz Festival artists and Wilner was featured in a Jazz Review article entitled 'Ten musicians you must hear'. Wilner’s compositions have many stylistic influences: swing, groove, minimalism, through composition and pop and include arrangements of contemporary pieces by artists such as Bob Marley and Tom Waits. The quartet has been featured at such renowned festivals as the Cheltenham Jazz Festival, the Greenwich Jazz Festival and the City of London Festival and has performed extensively throughout the UK. Since arriving in London Wilner has also performed widely as a freelance musician with numerous renowned musicians.
In 1998 he worked with the Western Australian edition of the Graham Collier Orchestra, and also performed with - among others - Ernie Watts, James Morrison and Wilber Wild, playing at popular Australian festivals and venues whilst a member of the Western Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra. Wilner also worked with a pit orchestra in Perth and was involved with the performance and recording of locally produced musicals.
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Blake Wilner Quartet: Interloper
by Chris May
At the risk of being guilty of national stereotyping, I have to say that London-based Australian expat Blake Wilner's guitar playing reminds me of Russell Crowe. Wilner may or may not enjoy pitching mobile phones at hotel receptionists, or rounding off an evening's drinking with an invigorating bar room brawl, but he brings the same lurching Wild West unpredictability to his music as his thespian compatriot does to a night on the town.
Bring it on. Interloper punches the lights ...
read moreThe Blake Wilner Quartet: The Reprieve
by Mark Sabbatini
Pull something in all directions at once and odds are it'll end up stuck in the middle.
The thought came to mind while listening to The Reprieve by the Blake Wilner Quartet, which claims influences ranging from Monk (minimal traditionalism) to Coltrane (maximal progressivism) to Philip Glass (maximal minimalism). The songs range from original swing to modern takes of Bob Marley and Tom Waits.
Sounds like a recipe for schizophrenia. So it's a surprise how consistent ...
read moreBlake Wilner: The Reprieve
by Chris May
An Australian based in London since '00, Blake Wilner is currently touring the UK in support of this, his latest and third album. And if you like either post-Wes Montgomery straight-ahead jazz or fx-spiced funk and rock grooves--or both--then you should check him out, for he cuts it convincingly and infectiously in both those worlds.
The straight-ahead tracks, which make up about half of the album, are swinging and understated, and Wilner is particularly enjoyable in the difficult, ...
read moreBlake Wilner Quartet UK Tour (Wales)
Source:
All About Jazz
The Blake Wilner Quartet announces Jazz Services sponsored tour of the UK
Welsh Dates
05 June 2007 - Dempseys (15 Castle Street) - Cardiff; Time : 8pm Tickets : 6
06 June 2007 - Swansea Jazzland - Swansea; Time : 8pm Tickets : 8 / 6
“Bring it on. Interloper punches the lights out and announces Wilner's certain arrival in the major league" --Chris May, All About Jazz, 2006
The Blake Wilner Quartet is considered one ...
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Blake Wilner Quartet CD Release Show June 5
Source:
All About Jazz
The Blake Wilner Quartet releases its fourth album Interloper (Ant Jazz ANTJCD4) on Monday 5 June 2006
Monday 5 June 9.15 pm Pizza on The Park 11 Knightsbridge, London SW1 Box Office: 020 7235 5273 “...an accomplished composer ... whose music has an auspicious emotional and structural range"--Jazz Journal International
The Blake Wilner Quartet is considered one of the most exciting, individualistic and innovative young jazz ...
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Blake Wilner Quartet Australian Tour / CD Release
Source:
All About Jazz
The Blake Wilner Quartet announces DCITA sponsored tour of Australia Whilst leavening the jazz chops with outside rock and funk elements, Blake doesn't compromise his stance as a firm individualist. Martin Longley, Jazz Review (10 musicians you must hear) An accomplished composer ... whose music has an auspicious emotional and structural range. Jazz Journal International Blake Wilner is an individual voice on guitar. Reflective, with a distinctive approach to composition, his pieces are lyrical, melodic and ...
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