Michael Blake

An enduring presence for the last 30 years, saxophonist, composer and bandleader Michael Blake has built his reputation playing jazz and creative music in New York City. This visionary composer and arranger has produced a cornucopia of recordings that vary in context and mood. He has played tenor and soprano saxophone with a diverse range of artists including

Lounge Lizards

" data-original-title="" title="">Lounge Lizards,

Charlie Hunter

guitar
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Hunter,

Henry Butler

piano
1949 - 2018

" data-original-title="" title="">Henry Butler,

Steven Bernstein

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Steven Bernstein & the Hot 9 and Ray Lamontagne.

Michael was born on May 19th, 1964 in Montreal, Canada. In the late 60’s his family moved across the continent to California’s Bay Area where the indelible sounds of Psychedelic Rock, Funk and Soul would have a huge impact on his young ears. After resettling in Vancouver, Canada, he picked up the clarinet at 14 and a few years later the tenor saxophone, studying both with David Branter, a disciple of renown saxophonist and teacher Eugene Rousseau. Michael credits his brother for bringing jazz records into the house and his parents for taking him to concerts where he heard Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Benny Goodman, Oscar Peterson, Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis.

Michael Blake graduated from High School receiving the Music Award and enrolled in College. Disenchanted with school he cut his teeth at jam sessions and learned the music of local trailblazer, trombonist, pianist and composer Hugh Fraser. He formed his first group with fellow saxophonist Phil Dwyer and pianist

Ross Taggart

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Ross Taggart and freelanced in an array of bands. In 1984 & 1985 Michael participated in the Banff School of Fine Arts Jazz Program where we studied with bassist Dave Holland and saxophonists Steve Coleman and David Liebman. Michael received a grant from The Canada Council for the Arts to further his studies in New York City and relocated there in 1987.

John Lurie

saxophone
b.1952

" data-original-title="" title="">John Lurie and the Lounge Lizards lasted from 1990-1999 and includes numerous recordings, TV appearances, a live concert film and film soundtracks such as the Grammy nominated score for Get Shorty. During the ‘90’s he was a Composer in Residence in the Jazz Composers Collective and a member of

Ben Allison

bass, acoustic
b.1966

" data-original-title="" title="">Ben Allison’s Medicine Wheel. Flaunting a stellar cast of downtown musicians, Michael’s group Free Asociation portrayed his restless spirit for adventure, collaborating with rappers, dancers and using unconventional instrumentation.

Michael’s multifaceted process is quite evident on all fifteen of his records. His first release Kingdom of Champa is a beautifully complex reflection of post war Vietnam that earned him high praise and critical acclaim. Michael sites his sidemen, producer

Teo Macero

producer
1925 - 2008

" data-original-title="" title="">Teo Macero and engineer

Scott Harding

" data-original-title="" title="">Scott Harding for bringing his vision to life. Every album since has proven to further highlight his mastery of creating kaleidoscopic music. Whether tackling an ambitious new score or facing jazz tradition head on, Michael’s saxophone always plays a center role in the mix. He takes a wily approach on every horn, favoring a variety of timbres that may evoke an elder, snap at a riff or blast off to the interstellar.

Michael has scored and arranged original music for film and television, big band and string ensemble. His work has been premiered and performed around the globe at major jazz festivals. He has received commissions from Chamber Music America, The Canada Council for the Arts, The Doris Duke Foundation and The BC Arts Council. He is a respected teacher and has conducted workshops and classes in the US, Canada, Mexico, Demark, Italy, Brazil and Thailand. He was on faculty at the Fondazione Siena Jazz Summer Workshop from 2009-2013.

Among the many artists he has recorded and performed with are

Steven Bernstein

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Steven Bernstein,

Stefano Bollani

piano
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Stefano Bollani,

Nicole Mitchell

flute
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Nicole Mitchell,

Oliver Lake

saxophone
b.1942

" data-original-title="" title="">Oliver Lake, Grachan Moncour III,

Medeski Martin & Wood

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Medeski Martin & Wood,

Enrico Rava

trumpet
b.1939

" data-original-title="" title="">Enrico Rava,

Kresten Osgood

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Kresten Osgood, The

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans Orchestra,

Dr. Lonnie Smith

organ, Hammond B3
1942 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Dr. Lonnie Smith,

Jack McDuff

organ, Hammond B3
1926 - 2001

" data-original-title="" title="">Jack McDuff, Ben E. King, Chubby Checker, Neil Sedaka,

Natalie Cole

vocals
1950 - 2015

" data-original-title="" title="">Natalie Cole, Martha and Rufus Wainwright, Nick Cave and Pinetop Perkins. He has worked with such luminary producers as Teo Macero, Tricky, Prince Paul,

Hal Willner

producer
1957 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Hal Willner and Sir Coxsone Dodd.

Awards

2017 Best Album Cover, “Red Hook Soul” (New York Jazz Record)

2016 Albums of the Year, “Fulfillment” (Bird is the Worm)

2014 Best Album of the Year, “Tiddy Boom” (Jazz Chronicles)

2014 Albums of the Year “Tiddy Boom” (Chicago Reader)

2014 Albums of the Year “Tiddy Boom” (Downbeat Magazine)

2010 Albums of the Year “Hellbent” (All About Jazz NY)

2008 Rising Star Category, Soprano Saxophone (Downbeat Magazine)

2002 Rising Star Category, Artist of the Year (Downbeat Magazine)

2002 Rising Star Category, Tenor Saxophone (Downbeat Magazine)

2002 Rising Star Category, Soprano Saxophone (Downbeat Magazine)

2000 Album of the Year “Drift” (Jazzthing Magazine)

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Slow Poke: Listen Here

by Ludovico Granvassu
October 10, 2024

Here is a track in which the simmer might be low, but the temperature is definitely very high. “Listen Here" is a composition which Eddie Harris wrote and played with his, usual, fat groove. This, however, is a sultrier rendition by a band that made the savoring of each note, and the development of a hypnotic feel, their M.O.: Slow Poke, namely Michael Blake on saxophone, David Tronzo on guitar, Tony Scherr on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums.

Album Review

Michael Blake: Dance of the Mystic Bliss

Read "Dance of the Mystic Bliss" reviewed by Vincenzo Roggero

by Vincenzo Roggero
October 9, 2023

Veterano della scena downtown newyorchese,Michael Blake porta al debuttto sulla propria etichetta P&M Records, Chroma Nova, ensemble dalla configurazione particolare con quattro strumenti a corda, due percussionisti brasiliani, il leader ai sassofoni e, per la prima volta su disco, al flauto. Difficile individuare un centro gravitazionale preciso in Dance of the Mystic Bliss, forse un'intrinseca vena melodica presente nelle dieci composizioni tutte a firma Blake, ma sarebbe fare torto alla grande variet�� di atmosfere, di tessiture e di groove che ...

Radio & Podcasts

Michael Blake, Ben Wendel, Bjork and Others

by Jerome Wilson
August 9, 2023

This eclectic show has music from saxophonists Michael Blake and Jeff Coffin, vocalists Hailey Brinnel and Bjork(!), and much more. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Wally Cirillo “Smog L.A." from Explorations (Fresh Sound) 1:04 The Verve Jazz Ensemble “Studio J" from All In (Self-Produced) 4:11 Alex Weitz “Odyssey" from Rule of Thirds (Outside In Music) 10:04 Host Speaks ...

Radio & Podcasts

A Few Of My Favorite 2023 Jazz Things (So Far) - Part 2

by Ludovico Granvassu
July 22, 2023

A retrospective of some of the most compelling tunes we heard in the first half of 2023, distilled for your enjoyment.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Michael Blake's Chroma Nova “Little Demons" Dance of the Mystic Bliss (P&M) 0:16 Host talks 6:50 Thomas Naïm “Panama Red" On the Far Side (Rootless Blues) 8:31 Greg Ward's Rogue Parade “Dashing Towards First Light" Dion's Quest (Sugah Hoof) 13:24 Host talks ...

Album Review

Samuel Blaser: Routes

by Chris May
June 22, 2023

The Jamaican trombonist Don Drummond (1934-1969), the inspiration for Routes, was in certain respects a mid-twentieth Jamaican parallel of the New Orleans cornetist Buddy Bolden (1877-1931). Bolden pioneered jazz in the US, Drummond in Jamaica. Both achieved mythic proportions during their lifetimes and both their legends endure. Both, tragically, spent their final years in what were then called insane asylums. One difference between the two musicians is that, while no recording of Bolden has survived, if indeed ...

Album Review

Michael Blake: Dance of the Mystic Bliss

Read "Dance of the Mystic Bliss" reviewed by Jerome Wilson

by Jerome Wilson
June 18, 2023

This is saxophonist Michael Blake's new group, Chroma Nova, which contains guitar, violin, cello, bass and two Brazilian percussionists. They play a set of compositions, inspired by Blake's late mother, dancer Merle Blake, which rely on fluid rhythms and textures taken in many different directions. Blake is often the main solo voice here but he also blends in with the other instruments to create all kinds of intriguing sonic fabrics. For example, “Topanga Burns" starts with a stately ...

Play This!

Michael Blake: Afro Blake

by Ludovico Granvassu
March 23, 2023

Africa seems to have been a special source of inspiration for Michael Blake, as compositions like “Addis Abeba" (Elevated), “Malagasy" (Combobulate), “Mauritania" (Buzz), “Road to Lusaka" (In the Grand Scheme of Things), “Africa Used to Be Home" (More Like Us) or “Surfing Sahara" (Elevated ) attest. They are all characterized by memorable themes and an instantly recognizable sound, but there's one song that is like a “first among equals" and leaves a deep mark every time I listen to it, ...

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Performance / Tour

You're Gonna Keep On Drinking? O.K., They'll Keep on Playing

Source: Michael Ricci
March 19, 2009

Michael Blake Quartet with the bassist Ben Allison and the guitarist Steve Cardenas at City Winery in a series titled Wine & Jazz — A Great Pairing.

The saxophonist Michael Blake gamely addressed his audience between songs at City Winery on Tuesday night, though that exercise must have felt a little disheartening. Most of the club’s patrons were blithely impervious, engaged in tipsy conversation at their tables or near the bar. The room’s cavernous size and hard surfaces only amplified ...
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150

Event

"This is Our Music IV" Presents Bobby Previte, Michael Blake and Knucklebean in Brooklyn on June 11!

Source: All About Jazz
June 5, 2008

Friends of SOUND! Please join us at “This Is Our Music IV" on June 11 in Brooklyn, when we present the Bobby Previte/Briggan Krauss Duo, Michael Blake Trio featuring Ben Allison and Michael Sarin and, of course, Knucklebean! Come be a part of this special night! Know what's below, yo... WHO: Bobby Previte/Briggan Krauss Duo + Michael Blake Trio with Ben Allison and Michael Sarin + Knucklebean WHAT: “This Is Our Music IV" - Curated by Brad Farberman WHEN: Wednesday, ...
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144

Recording

Knitting Factory Releases "Elevated" by Michael Blake

Source: All About Jazz

While composing and arranging new music is Michael Blake's main motive, this timely Knitting Factory Records debut release, Elevated, by the Brooklyn based saxophonist offers listeners the first opportunity to hear him in a traditional setting. Blake's original compositions exist in the spiritual roots of jazz but his concept points in new directions. The ever-percussive bassist Ben Allison and visionary pianist Frank Kimbrough join drummer Mike Mazor to provide Blake's luscious tenor and soprano saxophone room to ascend. Elevated is ...
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141

Music Industry

Michael Blake's DRIFT (Intuition Music), May 2001 release

Source: All About Jazz

DRIFT (Intuition Music): Creating a sonic environment that blends the styles of Jazz, Blues and Modern Music into a deep groove with abundant personality.

Blake sees his band Free Association as a work in progress inspired by John Lurie, Roland Kirk, Fela Kuti, Ellington and other great band leaders. Like these originals, he relies on and reacts with his instrumentalists to produce an integral group spirit.

DRIFT features Palmetto recording artists Matt Wilson on drums and Jazz Composers Collective founder ...
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"This is music unbound in time...perfectly executed" DownBeat - James Hale

"Not only is it one of the year's best jazz albums, but it's another gem in a career filled with them" Chicago Reader - Peter Margasak

"Panoramic imagination" The New York Times

"Saxophonist Michael Blake‘s 2016 release is astonishing, exploding with intricate details and unleashing one grand statement after the other. Everything about this album indicates a sound and vision steps ahead of the music of today." Dave Sumner, Bird is the Word

"Incredibly inventive use of technique and emotion with an astuteness that ought to be the envy of musicians everywhere" Jazz da Gama

"You can hear Archie Shepp and Lucky Thompson and Coltrane and Dewey Redman in Mr. Blake, and the group sounds great while playing what it wants to" The New York Times - Ben Ratliff

"Michael Blake is a New York-based saxophonist, once a member of the Lounge Lizards, and "Right Before Your Very Ears" (Clean Feed) is the forthright, off-the-cuff new album by his trio, with the bassist Ben Allison and the drummer Jeff Ballard. Some of it is completely free, some dependent on small written motifs; there's also a cover of Duke Ellington's lovely "Mount Harissa." It is rhythmic and nuanced work by a modern mainstream jazz musician playing free jazz as a choice; you can hear Archie Shepp and Lucky Thompson and Coltrane and Dewey Redman in Mr. Blake, and the group sounds great while playing what it wants to." The New York Times - Ben Ratliff

"The more refined Blake becomes as a horn player and recording artist, the more he learns about finesse. Ultimately Elevated is about his move towards gracefulness. This group is terrifically tight and as each piece presents itself, a great creative thrust is achieved. I haven’t spun a more perfectly titled disc in along time." Jim Macnie, Downbeat

"Michael Blake's quartet put on a fine show; alternately playful, sophisticated and richly melodic, the music on Mr. Blake's new album "Elevated" warmed the chilly room and left us hungry for more." The Wall Street Journal

"An astonishingly mature and original debut CD. The music here falls provocatively beyond categorization. It's Blake's concept, not his cast, that makes Kingdom of Champa so impressive. He has written a gorgeous, seven part suite inspired by a month long sojourn in Vietnam. A CD worthy of someone like Henry Threadgill - lofty company." Mark Miller, Globe & Mail

"Blake's vision bristles with colors, textures and mystery." Neil Tesser, Playboy

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone, tenor

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)

Poznan Music Conservatory (Poznan, Poland)

Rhythmic Music Conservatory (Aarhus, Denmark)

Oxford University (Oxford, England)

University of London (London, England)

University of Southampton (Southampton, England)

Centro Cultural Vila Flor (Guimaraes Portugal)

Souza Lima (San Paulo, Brazil)

Koninklijk Conservatory (Antwerpen, Belgium)

Capilano University (Vancouver, Canada)

Vancouver Community College (Vancouver, Canada)

Brown University (Providence, RI)

Humboldt State University (Arcata, CA)

Penn State University (University Park, PA)

Cornish College (Seattle, WA)