Tuesday, 24 November, 2020 | 7:00 PM
Dr. Carl Blake
Jazzed Classics
Dr. Carl Blake showcases several compositions representing the wide range of composers who draw upon Black cultural and musical traditions.
Dr. Carl Blake showcases several compositions representing the wide range of composers who draw upon Black cultural and musical traditions. The brief survey includes representative sampling of male and female, national and international, and deceased and living composers from the 18th to the 21st century. The diversity of the composers and compositional styles is striking. Musical examples and excerpts are taken from notable composers such as Debussy, Sibelius, Gershwin, Mompou, and Piazzolla as well as lesser known figures such as Chevalier de Saint Georges (aka the Black Mozart), Blind Tom (an ex-slave), Nathaniel Dett (Black Canadian American), Margaret Bonds (Harlem and Chicago Renaissance pianist/composer), Jacqueline Hairston (distinguished local African American pianist/composer), and Richard Thompson (Black Scottish American). Each musical piece relates to a cultural, historical or musical stylistic feature of Black and/or African American tradition.
About the artist
Dr. Carl Blake holds three degrees in piano performance: Bachelor of Music (magna cum laude) from Boston University, Master of Arts from San Jose State University, and Doctor of Musical Arts from Cornell University. Dr. Blake has performed three times in Weill Recital Hall (formerly, Carnegie Recital Hall) and has toured in Russia, France, England, Central and South America, and the Caribbean Islands as Artistic Ambassador for the United States Department of State. Currently, he serves as Director of Music of The Church for the Fellowship of All Peoples in San Francisco. Dr. Blake is also a member of the Board of Directors for SF Noontime Concerts. Note on connection to Ross McKee: Dr. Blake taught piano and performance at The Music and Arts Institute, San Francisco, CA (1988–1989) during Ross McKee’s tenure as Director.
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