(Newswire.net — June 6, 2013) New York, NY — Cobi Narita presents Ran Blake at Zeb’s Sunday, June 16, 2013 at 6pm. For jazz lovers, this is a momentous occasion. Mr. Blake’s career spans five decades of recording, teaching and performing. Known as a compositional improviser, Blake cites singers, Film Noir, blues and gospel music, modern classical tonalities and his need for solitude as major influences on his musical style. He has recorded more than 30 albums and spent 30 years as a groundbreaking educator at New England Conservatory.
His recorded 1962 work “The Newest Sound Around” (RCA) with fellow Bard student Jeanne Lee became a cult favorite and continues to hold a strong conceptual influence on both singers and pianists.
This solo concert will include “Manhattan Noir: a Tribute to Singers and George Russell”
I. Dedication to Singers: Billie Holiday, Stevie Wonder, Chris Connor, Abbey Lincoln, Michael Jackson, Betty Carter, Joao Gilberto, Jeanne Lee, Ray Charles and Mahalia Jackson
II. Dedication to George Russell – includes works by George Russell, Richard Rodgers, Vernon Duke and Jimmie Davis & Charles Mitchell
Mr. Blake’s musical concepts were broadened when, at age 12 when he was exposed to the dark, image laden, character driven Film Noir genre. The black and white images drifted through his mind and created musical landscapes that continue to inspire his creative ideas and output. Early relationships with Gunther Schuller, whom he met in 1959, Chris Connor, Ray Charles, John Lewis, Oscar Peterson and Bill Russo and many others, helped the young Ran Blake develop his style and direction.
In 1967, Blake joined Gunther Schuller, George Russell, Jaki Byard and other giants in the jazz world, to teach at New England Conservatory. NEC was the first American conservatory to offer a jazz degree. In 1973, he became the first Chair of the Third Stream Department, which he co-founded with Schuller. Still actively teaching at NEC, the Third Stream Department was recently renamed The Contemporary Improvisation Department, to reflect Blake’s additions to the curriculum and the outdated early name.
He has recorded over 30 solo albums and continues his explorational blending of jazz and classical harmony. A 2001 recording, Sonic Temples (GM Records) featuring Ed Schuller (bass) and George (Schuller) drums, is Blakes’s best received and most widely acclaimed recording. This recording is the first trio record in standard piano trio format, an unprecedented statistic for a pianist of his stature.
Celebrating 40 years of consistent teaching, recording, composing and performing, this special event is not to be missed. Ran Blake is truly a major influence not only in the history of jazz, but in light of his long teaching career, on the next generations of jazz artists.
“Nobuko” Cobi Narita is known throughout the jazz community for her tireless support of jazz and jazz musicians. Since her early days in California, upon moving to New York City in 1969 and through the years, Cobi has mentored, supported, advised, and in so many ways, helped the jazz community thrive. She recently teamed up with Saul “Zebulon” Rubin, the owner of Zeb’s, an accomplished guitarist and producer, to produce concerts and hold her “Jazz Center of New York” events.
For more information on Ran Blake, please visit: www.ranblake.com
Media/Manager:
Aaron Hartley
Manager, Pianist Ran Blake
P.O. Box 1210
Brookline, MA 02446
(781) 308-3194
For more information on Cobi Narita, please visit: www.cobinarita.com
Catherine Castle
White Diamond Media
201.723.4762