Bassist/Composer/Music Producer/Author/Concert Soloist
Biography
Over the past four decades Russel Blake has established himself as a professional Bassist/concert soloist/author and domestic violence awareness advocate.
He carries on the musical legacy of his Father Latin musical great Alex Blake, and his Brother world renowned jazz bassist Alex Blake II.
As a public speaker, Mr. Blake conveys a message of personal empowerment and all encompassing hope. In a remarkably refined manner he captivated crowds, young and old by condensing his wealth of musical knowledge, his spiritual resolve, and his genuine love for humanity into a series of inspiring and insightful lecture topics.
To date, he has shared his talents in 75 countries on five continents, held the title of Adjunct Professor of Electrical Bass Studies at five universities across the country where he shared his creation "The Universal Language Music History & Cultural Program" with a variety of audiences from Elementary through High School, Colleges & Universities, Senior Centers, Prisons, Hospitals and Military installations about the history of music.
As a concert soloist, Russel Blake currently holds 452 pieces of music in his repertoire encompassing Classical, Spanish Classical, Traditional Jazz, Brazilian, Opera, Latin & Blues musical idioms. He performs works from Beethoven, Mozart, Segovia, Albeniz, Cole Porter, Gershwin, Monk, Jobim, Stevie Wonder & Elton John.
As a sideman bassist, Mr. Blake has earned the opportunity to tour and record with multiple music giants such as Sonny Rollins, Pharoah Sanders, Hugh Masakela, Cybil Shepherd, Chaka Khan, Harry Belafonte, El Gran Combo, Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Mary Mary, Dreamgirls/The Lion King/Motown The Musical on Broadway NYC, Angie Stone, Brenda Russell, Gil Evans, Melba Moore to name a few.
Among his highest achievements was being appointed by the U.S. State Department Ambassador of Goodwill to 8 West & Central African nations. He is also a Kellogg Foundation Artist In Residence Recipient.
Mr. Blake was also contracted by The U.S. Department of Defense to lecture on the symbiotic nature of science and music for DARPA (Defense Agency Research Projects Agency) 10th Annual International Bio-Technologies Conference in San Diego, California.
