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Contemporary Vibes
Blake Aaron: Bringin' It Back
Cheryl Hughey
Cheryl Hughey is a jazz publicist, freelance writer and avid music fan.Besides the new album, one of the most impressive things about Aaron is his relaxed demeanor both on stage and in person. He seems to honestly appreciate his audience and the members of his band. During a rainy St. Louis concert, Aaron forgot about the damp weather and stepped off stage to serenade the crowd. He had been so impressed by the commitment of the soggy concertgoers that he wanted to give them a more personal experience. This connectivity with the audience showed on their faces as Aaron played throughout the afternoon. With regard to the band, Aaron brags, “I’m so lucky I’m able to get some great musicians to play with me. I have some of the best guys around. It’s not just me slaving away. A lot of other people are working hard.”
Aaron believes that live performances are a lot different from the CD recordings. For one, the songs in live performances are a lot longer and freer for improvisation. “When you do a CD, you try to package it for radio. If doing a radio cut, you will scale down the song even more,” said Blake. “Crowds will also influence how I run a show. If I look at the audience and they’re dancing and it looks like a party vibe, I’ll play tunes that keep the energy going,” said Aaron.
Aaron hasn’t always played jazz. As a child he shocked his mother when he declared, “I want to be a rock and roll musician.” Needless to say, she wasn’t too hip on the idea at first, but now is his biggest fan. However, it was jazz that kept pulling at his spirit. “I’ve always had a deeper passion for jazz. There is music that I really love but, then there is the music that I call my “soul music” that is inspirational to my becoming a musician.” Aaron stated that Pat Metheny, Nat King Cole and Miles Davis were examples of “soul music.” Listening to these records, Aaron knew, “This is the path that I need to stay on.”
Bringin’ It Back is a call home for Blake Aaron. The bluesy R&B sounds with vibrant undertones demonstrates that Aaron has definitely found his way.
Website: www.blakeaaron.com
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