Michael Blake interview and upcoming appearances

Photo by Josephine Ochej Although saxophonist Michael Blake has been based in New York City for over 20 years, his connection to Vancouver has remained strong. Throughout that time, he's returned often in a variety of musical settings to the West Coast where he grew up. The performance this week is special for a number of reasons in that Blake is presenting the players and music from his acclaimed recent Songlines release Amor de Cosmos. The recording draws inspiration from the Blake family's BC roots – the pictures in the disc notes, including one of a lynx on a cabin's front landing, are from the "Blake Family Archives" – and celebrates his spiritual connection to the land and his musical connection to some of the most creative players in the Vancouver musical community. In advance of Michael Blake's return to Vancouver this week, Nou Dadoun caught him by phone in his Brooklyn home for an interview, portions of which will be broadcast on the A-Trane radio program CFRO 102.7 FM this Friday January 18th from 2:30 to 5:30. What emerged in over an hour and a half was a fascinating portrait of a jazz musician from grade school to the full flower of a busy career as one of the music's most acclaimed practitioners. Read the interview Post comments in the Jazz Forum Michael Blake performs at Capilano College, Saturday January 19th at 8 pm with the group from Amor de Cosmos. Brad Turner, trumpet; Chris Gestrin, piano; Dylan van der Schyff, drums; André Lachance, bass; and Sal Ferreras, percussion. For more information, click here. Michael Blake performs as a featured guest with Chris Gestrin's trio with André Lachance and Dylan van der Schyff at the Cellar on Tuesday January 22nd. Michael Blake website.