170: Brian Blade (Fellowship, Wayne Shorter, Joni Mitchell, etc.)

The Trap Set with Joe Wong

Joe Wong

Joewong, Drums, Comedy, Performing Arts, Arts, Drummers

4.8 • 709 Ratings

🗓️ 6 June 2018

⏱️ 77 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Brian Blade burst on the scene in the early 90s and has since distinguished himself as one of the all time greats.

Brian met with Joe in Chicago to discuss: his musical beginnings in church; how he developed his gifts as an artist; what he learned from his older brother, drummer Brady Blade; working with iconoclasts ranging from Joni Mitchell to Wayne Shorter; being “in the moment, almost to a fault”; reuniting with his childhood sweetheart after nearly 30 years apart; and how within any one thing, everything else exists.

Musical mythology is rife with stories of troubled genius. As an antidote, here’s a conversation with a thoroughly joyful genius.

Transcript

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0:00.0	This week's episode of The Trap Set is dedicated to the memory of Erica Davis.
0:04.5	Erica was a champion of music and the arts in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
0:08.2	And we here at the Trap Set are sending our love to her entire family.
0:12.6	And especially to my good friend, Neil Davis, Erica's husband,
0:16.0	who first introduced me to the work of this week's guest, Brian Blade.
0:20.7	Erica Davis, rest in peace.
0:24.7	It's not only the belief in what you're doing, but the dedication to it and the sharing of it
0:36.7	with the hope that it will touch others as much as it has given you joy.
0:57.0	This is Joe Wong. Welcome to the Trapset, where each week we explore the lives of drummers.
1:02.0	I want to play something for you. I'm . The
1:30.3	The You're hearing he died fighting by Brian Blade and the fellowship band,
1:57.3	featuring my guest Brian Blade on drums.
2:06.1	Blade is a native of Shreveport, Louisiana, and was introduced to music at Zion Baptist Church,
2:09.4	where his father has served as pastor for over 50 years.
2:18.3	Brian exploded onto the scene in the early 90s, and over time has distinguished himself as one of the all-time greats. It would be reductive to call Brian a mere virtuoso, just as it would be reductive to say he possesses one of the most original musical minds on the planet.
2:27.3	Brian's true genius lies in his ability to be completely present, emotionally vulnerable, and musically giving,
2:35.0	to filter cosmic voices through his own unique prism.
2:39.0	These gifts have led Brian to work with artists such as Kenny Garrett,
2:43.0	Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and Daniel Lanwa.
2:49.0	Brian also serves as band leader for the fellowship band,
2:52.6	and for his Mama Rosa project, for which he sings and plays guitar.
2:57.6	I spoke to him at a hotel in Chicago before a recent performance.
	...

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