Brian Blade!!

I had an insane musical experience this week – seeing drummer Brian Blade for the first time…

Blade was playing in Myron Walden’s “In This World” band (along with Mike Moreno – guitar, Jon Cowherd – piano & Yasushi Nakamura – bass) at the Jazz Standard for one night only, and I’ve been hoping to catch him for months now. There have been numerous people that have used the word “special” for Brian Blade, and after hearing him in person now, I completely concur.

Talk about one of the most expressive musicians I’ve ever seen in my life! Blade is an absolute master at being incredibly clear with his instrument all the time as well as totally honest in expressing something deeply personal to him.

The other thing about him is that I’ve never in my life witnessed such selfless music making. Here’s what I mean: there wasn’t one second where Blade was trying to assert himself or his ideas over top of any other the music that was coming from the other members of the band. He typified being a “servant” to the music and to his fellow bandmates, and the result was anything but boring! On the contrary, it was possibly the most musical and explosive drumming I’ve ever experienced in my life! And not the super “chops-y” type of explosiveness, but rather a deeper and more gratifying kind. Absolutely incredible…

The other thing that blew my mind was seeing Brian Blade after the show. I’ve never been around another musician who engaged genuinely and gave time to every single person that came to talk to him…again, completely selfless and giving of himself – both musically and personally. What an incredible inspiration he is to me to live out the truth that it’s “better to give than to receive…”

If you EVER get the chance to see Brian Blade, don’t pass it up…I promise you it’ll change your life.