John Blake Jr. Explained

John Blake Jr.
Background:	non_vocal_instrumentalist
Birth Date:	3 July 1947
Birth Place:	South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death Place:	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genre:	Jazz
Occupation:	Violinist
Instrument:	Violin
Associated Acts:	Grover Washington Jr., McCoy Tyner

John Edward Blake Jr. (July 3, 1947^[1] – August 15, 2014)^[2] was an American jazz violinist from South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.^[1] He performed most prominently as a sideman in groups led by Grover Washington Jr. (in the late 1970s) and McCoy Tyner (in the early 1980s),^[1] as well as led his own groups.^[3]

His son Jonathan Blake is an accomplished jazz drummer, bandleader and composer.

He died on August 15, 2014, from complications of multiple myeloma.^[4]

Discography

As leader

• Maiden Dance (Gramavision, 1984)
• Twinkling of an Eye (Gramavision, 1985)
• Rhythm & BLU (Gramavision, 1986)
• Adventures of the Heart (Gramavision, 1987)
• A New Beginning (Gramavision, 1988)
• Quest (Sunnyside, 1992)
• Motherless Child (Artists Recording Collective, 2010)

As sideman

With James Newton

• James Newton (Gramavision, 1983)
• Luella (Gramavision, 1984)
• The African Flower (Blue Note, 1985)

With McCoy Tyner

• Horizon (Milestone, 1980)
• La Leyenda de La Hora (Columbia, 1981)
• Dimensions (Elektra Musician, 1984)

With Grover Washington Jr.

• Live at The Bijou (Kudu, 1977)
• Reed Seed (Motown, 1978)
• Paradise (Elektra, 1979)

With others

• Muhal Richard Abrams, Colors in Thirty-Third (Black Saint, 1987)
• Catalyst, Unity (Muse, 1974)
• Catalyst, A Tear and a Smile (Muse, 1976)
• Norman Connors, You Are My Starship (Buddah, 1976)
• Will Downing, Moods (Mercury, 1995)
• Carlos Garnett, Let This Melody Ring On (Muse, 1975)
• Damon Harris, Damon (Fantasy, 1978)
• George Howard, Asphalt Gardens (Palo Alto, 1982)
• Cecil McBee, Flying Out (India Navigation, 1982)
• Carmen McRae, I'm Coming Home Again (Buddah, 1980)
• Carmen McRae, Ms. Magic (Del Rack, 1986)
• Marvin Peterson, Children of the Fire (Sunrise, 1974)
• Vanessa Rubin, I'm Glad There Is You (Novus/RCA, 1994)
• Gilberto Santa Rosa, En Vivo Desde El Carnegie Hall (Sony, 1995)
• Avery Sharpe, Legends & Mentors (JKNM, 2008)
• Archie Shepp, Attica Blues (Impulse!/ABC, 1972)
• Archie Shepp, The Cry of My People (Impulse!/ABC, 1973)
• O. C. Smith, What'cha Gonna Do (Rendezvous, 1986)
• Jamaaladeen Tacuma, Brotherzone (P-Vine, 1999)
• Steve Turre, Fire and Ice (Stash, 1988)
• Steve Turre, Right There (Antilles, 1991)
• James Blood Ulmer, Harmolodic Guitar with Strings (DIW, 1997)
• Gerald Veasley, Look Ahead (Heads Up, 1992)
• Gerald Veasley, Soul Control (Inak, 1997)
• Kazumi Watanabe, The Best Performance (Better Days, 1982)
• Paula West, Come What May (Hi Horse, 2001)
• Buster Williams, Dreams Come True (Buddah, 1980)

Bibliography

• Richard Cook: Jazz Encyclopedia. Penguin, London, 2007,

External links

• John Blake Jr. official site
• Interview

Notes and References

1. Book: The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Colin Larkin. Guinness Publishing. 1992. First. 0-85112-939-0. 262.
2. Web site: John Blake Jr., Versatile Jazz Violinist, Dies at 67. Nate. Chinen. 20 August 2014. 15 August 2021. The New York Times.
3. Web site: John Blake Jr. Biography. All About Jazz. 20 August 2011.
4. Web site: Violinist John Blake Jr. Dead at 67. JazzTimes. 16 August 2015. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150803144716/http://jazztimes.com/sections/news/articles/136727-violinist-john-blake-jr-dead-at-67. 3 August 2015.