Russell Blake

American Bass player Russel Blake was instructed by his father, Trombonist/Composer/Producer Alex Blake (3) and his brother, jazz artist Alex Blake (2). To date, he has performed/toured/lectured in 75 countries.. As an educator, he has taught as an adjunct professor of electrical bass studies and about the history of music at various universities across the US, to a variety of audiences from elementary through high school, colleges and universities, senior centers, prisons, hospitals, military installations, and art galleries. He has been contracted by the U.S. State Department to perform as an ambassador of goodwill to eight West African nations, and has been contracted as well to teach and perform by the U.S. Defense Department’s “Defense Advanced Research Agency.” As a bassist, he has performed/toured/recorded with Sonny Rollins, Pharoah Sanders, Hugh Masekela, Paquito D'Rivera, Hilton Ruiz, Chaka Khan, Wallace Roney, Hiram Bullock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Harry Belafonte, Machito And His Orchestra, Dave Valentin, Michel Camilo, Sam Rivers, Clark Terry, Mary Wells, Wynton Marsalis, Melba Moore, Brenda Russell, and Cybill Shepherd. He also performed on Broadway as a bassist in the "The Lion King" and "Dreamgirls".