April 30th, 2009 by groundswell

April 30th, 2009 by groundswell

check out this fine review!

April 28th, 2009 by groundswell

April 28th, 2009 by groundswell

Peter Hum had to review Mama Rosa twice because he enjoyed it so much.   Enjoy this take on “Mama Rosa”

April 28th, 2009 by groundswell

From Jim Hale’s site.

“Brian Blade: Mama Rosa —Not a jazz recording, but I couldn’t resist diving immediately into this rootsy, soulful solo CD by one of my favourite drummers in jazz. The first time I interviewed Brian Blade, about a decade or so ago, he made it clear that his influences were the church, Levon Helm and soul music. Even as he was making waves with Wayne Shorter and other older giants of jazz he was in the studio with Joni Mitchell, Seal and Daniel Lanois. Lanois plays a large role on Mama Rosa—appearing on six of the 13 tracks and holding sway over the general sound of the recording, although Blade produced it himself, along with Adam Samuels. Blade’s voice, like Lanois’, is effective without being a perfect instrument. His dedication to this music is clear—as clear as his devotion to swinging like a monster behind Shorter, et.al., illustrated in his frequent whoops on various recordings and those times when he plays himself right off his drum throne—and he shows himself to be a better-than-average lyricist, as well. This is a quiet, little gem of a record I’m going to savour over the coming days.”

April 27th, 2009 by groundswell

Enjoy this article from Jazz Times from back in 2000.  Thanks Juraj!

April 27th, 2009 by groundswell

Try to tune in to “Icon’s Among Us” on May 4th…

“On May 4, the series goes for a deeper look into the “process, the lifestyle and the friendships only a ‘band’ can possess,” capturing it on film with Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, The Bad Plus, Soulive, Medeski Martin and Wood, E.S.T., Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band, daKAH Hip Hop Orchestra and Jason Moran and the Bandwagon. ”

More here.

April 27th, 2009 by groundswell

Someone has been busy posting lots of videos on youtube featuring Brian on drums.

And this stellar quartet…

April 25th, 2009 by groundswell

Enjoy this review of the show!

April 23rd, 2009 by groundswell