LATEST NEWS

The John Blake Quartet jazz set recorded at the Mount Hood Jazz Festival will be aired on WBGO Sun. Aug. 24, 2008 at 6:00 pm and repeated Wed. 28, 2008 at 6:30 pm. The set will also be aired on WRTI Sun. Aug. 24, 2008 at 7:00 pm. WRTI in Phila. - 90.1 FM, in Reading - 97.1 FM, in Allentown - 97.1 FM, in Wilmington - 107.7 FM.

John’s most recent project is a recording of traditional Negro Spirituals. Arrangements are enhanced with John’s special harmonizations, keeping the original melodies intact and embellished by his genius of improvisation. This project will also feature Evelyn Simpson-Currenton and Howard University’s elite choral ensemble Afro Blue directed by Canneitra Miller. The project is partially funded by a grant from the Independence Foundation Fellowship in the Arts.

John is promoting a tour of his original composition “A Celebration of Fiddle Music from Africa to America.” Not only is this work extremely entertaining, but it contains a significant historical aspect. The performing ensemble is comprised of a superb cast of musicians. The work has already been performed in Philadelphia, in NYC, and at the Kennedy Center in DC. This composition, originally commissioned by Chamber Music America, is eligible for funding thru CMA’s Encore Program for future performances to qualified presenters. Additional funding may also be available thru PennPAT to eligible presenters.