Ask Brian Blade, who at twenty-seven is already a seasoned veteran of many prestigious albums and tours, what he needs to hear in music, and with characteristic sensitivity and humility he replies, "It's more like what I need to feel in it.  I want to be touched by texture, the thick and thin of it."

During Blade's numerous sessions his intense musicianship has touched many.  Joshua Redman has called him "The drummer of the future," while Pat Metheny has said, "Brian has a quality only the really great guys have, and the ultimate commodity in a rhythm section player, he can create a vibe. He has his own thing." Kenny Garrett sums it up well, saying, "Brian is very spiritual and that is reflected in his music."

From albums with Joshua Redman and Kenny Garrett, to recent recordings with Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris, to a much anticipated spring release by Joni Mitchell, Brian Blade has shown deep musical instincts and a phenomenal gift for playing music texturally - both thick and thin - on the drums.

As a youngster growing up in Shreveport, then New Orleans, Louisiana, Brian Blade distilled the unique drumming styles and musical heritage of the nation's spiritual underbelly into a powerfully swinging percussive trademark. Playing drums in his father's church after an initial interest in the violin, Blade immersed himself in the work of Elvin Jones, Tony Williams, Jeff Porcaro, Levon Helm, Roy Haynes, Paul Motian, Sam Woodyard, even Keith Moon. He transcribed solos by Elvin ("All Or Nothing At All" from Coltrane's Ballads), and Max Roach ("Blueswalk" by the Roach/Brown Quintet). Moving to New Orleans when he was seventeen, Blade's perspective became broader and deeper.  When not gigging with Christopher Thomas and Nicholas Payton, he studied with David Lee Jr. and Johnny Vidacovich, and came under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis, who took Blade to England where they toured with saxophonist Courtney Pine.  Blade also dipped into New Orleans culture, playing in street parades, clubs and coffehouses throughout the crescent city. With word spreading as fast as Blade's scorching cymbal rhythms, he recorded with saxophonist Victor Goines,  Ellis Marsalis, King Midas & The Golden Touch (with Yo-Yo Ma on cello), and also played live with Jimmy Witherspoon, Steve Masakowski,Tony DaGradi, and Martha Reeves.  It was while playing with Delfeayo Marsalis that Blade met Joshua Redman and thus began a fruitful recording/touring association. Mood Swing, Freedom In The Groove, and Spirit Of The Moment documented Blade's percussion prowess, with many taking notice.  Blade also recorded and toured with alto saxaphonist, Kenny Garrett.  Black Hope, Trilogy and Pursuance: The Music Of John Coltrane boiled over with some of Blade's most explosive playing.  And just as jazz seemed his lone calling, Blade's love for all kinds of music found him recording with Joni Mitchell,  Daniel Lanois (Sling Blade), Emmylou Harris, (Wrecking Ball) and Bob Dylan (Time Out Of Mind). "It's definitely a privilege to have had all these wonderful experiences," Blade says with familiar sincerity.  "These are experiences that feed you more than you can ever know.  It keeps growing inside me year to year...."

Blue Note Records