Doug Blake has been paying his dues in Chicago since the '70s playing solo jazz guitar in restaurants, bass in oldies bands in sleazy dives, jobbing in his tux in banquet halls, behind the curtain in musical theater, and leading a quartet in jazz clubs.
He has been the subject of TV and radio documentaries and even a novel ("Love In A Different Key" published 1983 Houghton Mifflin depicts Doug's performance in a Chicago bar), and his band members are seasoned professionals with their own lengthy bios, accolades and discographies.
A sample:
Jeff Newell - "Meshes bebop and lyricism" Downbeat Magazine
now based in New York.
Rich Corpolongo - "Applies a seamless blend of bebop, modal, and free playing" Chicago Reader. Blake has written lyrics for 5 of Rich's songs; performed live, yet to be released.
Brian Sandstrom and Rusty Jones - "One of the busiest rhythm teams working in the Chicago area." Chicago Tribune
Brian, sideman on more than 25 CDs, has toured Europe with free jazz pioneer Hal Russell a dozen times. Rusty Jones has toured Europe with Marian McPartland and George Shearing.
Don Stiernberg - Has recorded in Nashville and with Jethro Burns.
John Roothaan - Presently playing all over Chicago and Indiana.
Terry Sullivan - Music for Women's Voices, Chicago A Cappella, His Majestie's Clerkes, Oriana Singers, and many other classical vocal ensembles.
The five solo tracks are recorded without over-dubs, and sometimes sound like guitar and bass (especially "All The Things You Are" and "Cherokee"). This is Doug's forte: his thumb walking the bass while other fingers play chords, melody and improvisation. Though band cuts make up most of the CD, these unique solo arrangements contribute greatly.
He is frequently told that he sounds like Joe Pass.
Personnel:
Terry Sullivan - Vocals
Doug Blake - Guitar
Jeff Newell - Alto Sax
Rich Corpolongo - Alto Sax (Burning In F&G only; first soloist in sax duel with Newell)
John Roothaan - Piano, Organ
Peter Slivka - Piano (Detour Ahead only)
Brian Sandstrom - Accoustic bass
Rusty Jones - Drums
Note:
Doug Blake can be reached at:
P.O. Box 713
Wilmette, Il. 60091
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.angelfire.com/il/blakenblueTrack List:
1. Burning In F And G
2. Mark Of The Lash
3. Mister Fixer
4. All The Things You Are
5. Who Can I Turn To
6. Judas' Elegy
7. The Seed
8. Quintessential Existential
9. Lonnie's Lament
10. My Romance
11. Sleaziana
12. Minor Aggravation
13. Detour Ahead
14. Cherokee
15. Mark Of The Lash - Instrumental
Suggested CDs:
Other Genres:
