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Mr. Russel Blake has been a professional Musician/Solo Artist/Educator for over 3 decades. He was instructed by his Father Jazz Great Alex Blake and his Brother Jazz Artist Alex Blake II. All of Mr. Blake’s theory, compositional, and musical arrangement skills are self-taught. To date, he has performed/toured/lectured in 65 countries on five continents.
As an educator, Mr. Blake has taught as an Adjunct Professor of Electrical Bass Studies at four universities across the country. He is the creator of “The Universal Language Music History & Cultural Program” of which Mr. Blake has taught to a variety of audiences from elementary through high school, colleges and universities, Senior Centers, Prisons, Hospitals, Military Installations, and Art Galleries about the history of Music. He has been contracted by the U.S. State Department to perform 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.” He is also the recipient of the Kellogg Foundation’s prestigious Artist in Residency Award.
As a concert soloist, Mr. Blake continues to perform all over the world. He 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, a short list of whom he has performed/toured/ recorded includes five years as the exclusive Bassist for Jazz Great Sonny Rollins, 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. He 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”, “Ten Fingers & Four Strings Solo Series” and the “Symposium Of Praise.” These are the vehicles Mr. Blake has chosen to expose his virtuoso abilities. The project contains a mixture of strong traditional jazz, gospel, and classical compositions. There are currently four CD’s released under this series.
Mr. Russel Blake, Concert Soloist, Producer, Arranger and Educator.
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