Michael Blake
Biography Michael Blake
Michael Blake
For over three decades the saxophonist and composer Michael Blake has managed to stun both critics and audiences alike. His live performances are consistently exciting and unbridled (New York Jazz Record Best Performances of 2014) and his recordings harness that energy into fully realized albums that resonate with personality. Known for his robust tone on tenor and pure soprano sound, Michael is frequently touted by critics as one the most original saxophonists of his generation.
Born in Montreal, Canada and raised in Vancouver, Blake has made New York City his home for over 25 years where he makes music that bristles with originality and vision. As a composer his creative output is constantly in flux, shifting in approach and empathetic for each new program he designs. In 2013 Michael received Chamber Music America's New Jazz Works Grant for which he wrote the music for Tiddy Boom. Last year he was commissioned by the Vancouver organization Barking Sphinx to compose a suite commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Canada's 1914 Kamagata Maru Tragedy. In early 2015 he received a funding from The Canada Council for the Arts to record this music for Songlines Records.
