Born and raised in Philadelphia, Blake grew up with musical influences. His father was jazz violinist John Blake, Jr.; Blake won an ASCAP Young Composer Award and finished his masters in Composition at Rutgers University, studying with Stanley Cowell. As a member of the Mingus Big Band, Blake’s dynamic drumming has won much acclaim, and he has been the sideman of choice for people like Roy Hargrove and Dr. Lonnie Smith. His 2023 album “Passage” saw the regular Blake trio of bassist Dezron Douglas and pianist David Virelles joined by sax player Immanuel Wilkins and vibraphonist Joel Ross for an excursion into expansive post-bop styles.
