Esperanza Spalding and Dan Blake

The incredibly talented bassist and singer who stunned the world with a much deserved Best New Artist at the 2011 Grammy Awards, has launched her new project with which she will tour the world, including our very own Ottawa Jazz Festival on June 27th. Esperanza Spalding's new project is called Radio Music Society and you can find her video of Black Gold, a great song for Black History Month. Something that inspires me is the fact that her music is not watered down... she always uses the best musicians and for her venturing out into the "pop" world, she is bringing along her fair share of high quality jazzisms.

One of the musicians that was on her record is in the touring band, is a close friend and saxophonist Dan Blake. Dan is a brilliant saxophonist who is also a member of the Julian Lage Group. He recently released a incredible CD called The Aquarian Suite. The album got a four stars in Downbeat magazine and showcases Dan's virtuosic playing. Accompanying Dan on The Aquarian Suite, is fellow bandmate in Esperanza's band drummer Richie Barshay, bassist Jorge Roeder and trumpeter Jason Palmer.



Check out Dan's music, he is one incredible saxophonist and composer!
See you soon,
Petr

ottawajazzfestival.com