Brian Blade was born in Shreveport on July 25, 1970. His mother Dorothy Blade is a retired kindergarten teacher. His father, Brady L. Blade Sr., is the pastor at the Zion Baptist Church, Shreveport. Brian listened to gospel music throughout his childhood, along with music by Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Staple Singers. Lucy Bond, his music appreciation teacher introduced him to Maurice Ravel’s music. In this class, Brian learned how to play the recorder as well as various melodic percussion instruments that are part of the Carl Orff method. Brian started playing violin at age nine and continued to play until he was thirteen. He followed in the footsteps his older brother Brady l. Blade Jr., who played drums in Zion church. Both Brian, Jr., and Brady were high school students of Dorsey Sommerfield, Jr., and performed in Dorsey’s professional group, The Polyphonics. Through his experiences with Mr. Summerfield, Brian started listening to music by John Coltrane and Miles Davis. Brian moved to New Orleans in 1988 to attend Loyola University. Brian met Jon Cowherd at this time. Jon and Brian were able to play and study with many of New Orleans’ master musicians, including Ellis Marsalis, John Vidacovich, Bill Huntington, Bill Huntington, Bill Huntington, Bill Masakowski, Bill Huntington, Bill Huntington, Bill Huntington, Mike Pellera, John Mahoney, John Mahoney, George French, Germaine Bazzle, David Lee, Jr., Tony Dagradi, and Harold Battiste. Many inspiring musicians visited New Orleans and helped Brian develop. These friends include Chris Thomas, Nicholas Payton, Nicholas Payton, Antoine Drye, Martin Butler, Delfeayo Maralis, Joshua Redman, Harry Connick, Jr., Gray Mayfield, Marcus Roberts, Victor Goines, and Daniel Lanois. Jon Cowherd and Brian Cowherd started recording their own music in 1998 with Fellowship. The members of the band are Chris Thomas (Myron Walden), Kurt Rosenwinkel, Melvin Butler, and Kurt Rosenwinkel. They have released three albums together, Perceptual and Fellowship, both on Blue Note. Season of Changes, a 2008 Verve recording, was also recorded by them. Brian is a member of the Wayne Shorter Quartet, Danilo Perez, and John Patitucci. from http://www.brianblade.com
