Jazz Articles about Alex Blake

About Alex Blake

Instrument: Bass

120

Album Review

Randy Weston’s secret is revealed on this live date from New York’s Knitting Factory. But anyone who has seen the tall pianist knows his rhythm secret is Alex Blake. The Panamanian-born, New York-raised bassist started out with Mongo Santamaria and toured with Sun Ra and Dizzy Gillespie. For the past decade he has been touring and recording with Randy Weston, one of the best live acts in jazz today.

This recording is Blake’s first domestic release as a leader. But ...

140

Album Review

Alex Blake Quintet featuring Pharoah Sanders: Now Is The Time (Live at the Knitting Factory)

Read "Now Is The Time (Live at the Knitting Factory)" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
September 1, 2000

Bassist Alex Blake, though an experienced virtuoso, has released only two records under his own name. Now Is The Time is his first disc released outside Japan. It's not as if Blake hasn't been around the block: he toured with Sun Ra at the age of 16, and has recently been working with Randy Weston and Pharoah Sanders.

Now Is The Time documents a recent show at the Knitting Factory, and it retains a very dynamic “live" feel. Blake's quintet ...