Biography
A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Brian Blade established himself as a versatile, accomplished drummer early in his career, appearing on albums by the likes of Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, and Bob Dylan. Blade released his first album, Brian Blade Fellowship, at the age of 27 in 1998 and followed two years later with Perceptual, both on Blue Note. Always an in-demand sideman and collaborator, Blade continued to find work with a varied bevy of artists, including Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell, and Wayne Shorter. Ten years after releasing his first album as the Brian Blade Fellowship, Blade returned with Season of Changes in 2008, this time on Verve. A year later he released the solo Americana, singer/songwriter effort Mama Rosa for the label.
At the beginning of 2014, the BBF band re-signed with Blue Note in a cooperative deal with the Shreveport, Louisiana-based Mid-City Records. Their fourth album together, Landmarks, was issued in April of 2014. The quintet was augmented by guitarists Marvin Sewell and Jeff Parker. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Releases
Body and Shadow - Brian Blade
Landmarks - Brian Blade
Perceptual - Brian Blade
Brian Blade Fellowship - Brian Blade
SPOTLIGHT
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BRIAN BLADE FELLOWSHIP: A 20-YEAR MUSICAL BOND
Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band marks its 20th anniversary in 2017 with the release of their sublime fifth album, Body and Shadow, a succinct nine-track meditation on lightness/darkness that arrives like a balm for the soul, ebbing and flowing with grace, subtlety and no shortness of beauty. Formed in 1997, the band released their eponymous Blue Note debut in 1998, but the bond among... read more
BRIAN BLADE: FELLOWSHIP & LANDMARKS
Landmarks, the fourth recording by Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, marks their return to Blue Note Records, released in cooperation with the Shreveport, Louisiana based label, Mid-City Records. Brian chose to record seven of the ten compositions in his hometown of Shreveport at Blade Studios which was opened in 2011 by Brian's older brother, the drummer and producer Brady Blade, Jr.... read more
News
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PRESENTING THE BLUE NOTE 80 VINYL REISSUE SERIES
In honor of Blue Note Records’ 80th Anniversary, the legendary Jazz label is launching the Blue Note 80 Vinyl Reissue Series. Distinct from the Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series, this 2nd series curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman features mid-priced 180g vinyl releases in standard packaging with albums... read more
PRESENTING BLUE NOTE REVIEW: VOLUME TWO – SPIRIT & TIME
Blue Note Records presents Blue Note Review: Volume Two – Spirit & Time, the second edition of our vinyl boxset subscription series, which once again was curated by Blue Note President Don Was, and beautifully encapsulates the continuum of the legendary jazz label’s storied past and auspicious future.... read more
