Brian Blade
About this Artist
Brian Blade, the second son of Brady L. Blade, Sr. and Dorothy Blade was born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana. Hymns and gospel songs were some of the first music he experienced at the Zion Baptist Church. While attending North Highlands Elementary School, Lucy Bond taught music appreciation and this was an important part of his development. At age nine, he began playing the violin and four years later, inspired by his older brother, Brady L. Blade, Jr., Brian shifted his focus to the drums.
During high school, while studying with Dorsey Summerfield, Jr., Brian began listening to the music of John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Elvin Jones and Joni Mitchell. By the age of eighteen, Brian moved to New Orleans to attend Loyola University. From 1988 through 1993, Brian was able to study and play with most of the master musicians living in New Orleans, such as: John Vidacovich, Ellis Marsalis, Steve Masakowski, Bill Huntington, Mike Pellera, John Mahoney, George French, Emile Vinette, Germaine Bazzle, David Lee, Jr., Alvin Red Tyler, Tony Dagradi and Harold Battiste.
In 1997, Brian formed The Fellowship Band with pianist Jon Cowherd. The band members are bassist Christopher Thomas, saxophonists Myron Walden and Melvin Butler.
The Fellowship Band has released seven recordings, beginning with their debut in 1998, Perceptual in 2000, Season of Changes in 2008, Landmarks in 2014, Body And Shadow in 2017, Live From The Archives in 2022 and Kings Highway in 2023. In 2022, Brian began an independent record label, Stoner Hill Records and Press.
While continuing to work with The Fellowship Band, Brian has been a member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet since 2000. He has recorded with Daniel Lanois, Joni Mitchell, Kenny Garrett, Joshua Redman, Ellis Marsalis, Chick Corea, Marianne Faithfull, Norah Jones, Emmylou Harris and Bob Dylan.