Michael Blake

Saxophonist, composer and arranger Michael Blake has established his presence in the jazz world, while his work gracefully erases the borders between different areas of music. He chooses to play progressive jazz-based music rooted in his family's remembrances with a sextet of like-minded modern creative players that use admittedly traditional sounds in a non-traditional manner. This collection of original compositions uses collective themes and motifs that stretch the imagination, yet remains within a colorful framework of highly motivated and intelligent designs that bear little resemblance to standardized tune structures. Extended techniques and odd meters are at the center of Blake's personalized music, as he plays primarily tenor sax and some soprano to extend these older values into new music beyond simple categories.

Saxophonist, composer and arranger Michael Blake has established his presence in the jazz world, while his work gracefully erases the borders between different areas of music. He chooses to play progressive jazz-based music rooted in his family's remembrances with a sextet of like-minded modern creative players that use admittedly traditional sounds in a non-traditional manner. This collection of original compositions uses collective themes and motifs that stretch the imagination, yet remains within a colorful framework of highly motivated and intelligent designs that bear little resemblance to standardized tune structures. Extended techniques and odd meters are at the center of Blake's personalized music, as he plays primarily tenor sax and some soprano to extend these older values into new music beyond simple categories.

The liner notes of Red Hook Soul tell the story - a positive dedication to both perfection of the musical craft and to the strength of the neighborhood. This record is not about pyrotechnics despite the incredible playing from the entire band - it's about a seasoned set of musicians down at the corner bar with a deep understanding of the roots of music and culture. The title track feels like an old friend, moving you down the road on the way to work at the shipyard. The rest speak of stops along the way, with a funky tribute to the great King Curtis right in the middle. Stop by here for the story, and support this seamlessy crafted piece of history.

Saxophonist Michael Blake makes raw and playful yet elegant music. He has no allegiance to "jazz" per se, although there are pronounced elements of Ellington and Mingus on some of these tracks. Blake's home is clearly the avant-garde, but he freely borrows from rock, Afro-beat, and sounds from the American heartland (the rural scenery on the cover is fitting). Tony Scherr's dry electric guitar is one of the central sonic elements, as is the interplay between Blake and his fellow saxophonists Briggan Krauss and Peck Allmond. Frank Kimbrough plays Rhodes – a rarity – on the opening title track, and Marcus Rojas' tuba seems to emulate a turntable on the rambunctious "Teo Walks," a track on which slide trumpeter Steven Bernstein also appears.

Charlie Hunter is an American guitarist, composer, and bandleader. First coming to prominence in the early 1990s, Hunter plays custom-made seven- and eight-string guitars on which he simultaneously plays bass lines, chords, and melodies. Critic Sean Westergaard described Hunter's technique as "mind-boggling…he's an agile improviser with an ear for great tone, and always has excellent players alongside him in order to make great music, not to show off.

Inspired by Bartók’s’Mikrokosmos’ and by the indigenous music from various parts of Africa, South African composer Michael Blake created this magnum opus – like Bartók’s work, in varying degrees of difficulty for young players and experts alike. The recording was made in June 2021 at the Menuhin Hall, Cobham, Surrey by pianist Antony Gray, whose recent Divine Art albums of piano works by Saint-Saëns have met with great success and glowing reviews.

Inspired by Bartók’s’Mikrokosmos’ and by the indigenous music from various parts of Africa, South African composer Michael Blake created this magnum opus – like Bartók’s work, in varying degrees of difficulty for young players and experts alike. The recording was made in June 2021 at the Menuhin Hall, Cobham, Surrey by pianist Antony Gray, whose recent Divine Art albums of piano works by Saint-Saëns have met with great success and glowing reviews.

"The three substantial pieces on this CD are some of the most uncompromisingly individual chamber works of recent years….influenced by the sound-world and syntax of traditional African musics, they surprise and impress….The performances of all three works on this disk are committed and masterly."