John Edward Blake Jr. (July 3, 1947 – August 15, 2014) was an American jazz violinist from South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. He performed most prominently as a sideman in groups led by Grover Washington Jr. (in the late 1970s) and McCoy Tyner (in the early 1980s), as well as led his own groups.

His son Johnathan Blake is an accomplished jazz drummer, bandleader and composer.

He died on August 15, 2014, from complications of multiple myeloma.

Discography

As leader

  • Maiden Dance (Gramavision, 1984)
  • Twinkling of an Eye (Gramavision, 1985)
  • Rhythm & BLU (Gramavision, 1986)
  • Adventures of the Heart (Gramavision, 1987)
  • A New Beginning (Gramavision, 1988)
  • Quest (Sunnyside, 1992)
  • Motherless Child (Artists Recording Collective, 2010)

As sideman

With James Newton

  • James Newton (Gramavision, 1983)
  • Luella (Gramavision, 1984)
  • The African Flower (Blue Note, 1985)

With McCoy Tyner

With Grover Washington Jr.

With others

Bibliography

  • Richard Cook: Jazz Encyclopedia. Penguin, London, 2007, ISBN 978-0-14-102646-6

External links