John Blake Jr.

Jazz violinist; minister [8]

What is John Blake Jr. known for?

John Edward Blake Jr., born on July 3, 1947, in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a renowned American jazz violinist who made significant contributions to the genre. Blake Jr. is recognized for his performances, primarily as a sideman in groups led by McCoy Tyner in the early 1980s and Grover Washington Jr. in the late 1970s. Beyond his involvement with these groups, he also successfully led his own groups.

Blake Jr.'s music legacy lives on through his son, Jonathan Blake, who has followed in his father's footsteps as an accomplished jazz drummer, bandleader, and composer. John Blake Jr. passed away on August 15, 2014, due to complications from multiple myeloma.

Over the span of his career, John Blake Jr. released several notable albums, both as a solo artist and a sideman. His solo discography includes the albums "Maiden Dance" (1984), "Twinkling of an Eye" (1985), "Rhythm & BLU" (1986), "Adventures of the Heart" (1987), "A New Beginning" (1988), "Quest" (1992), and "Motherless Child" (2010).

As a sideman, he contributed to numerous albums with various artists such as James Newton, McCoy Tyner, Grover Washington Jr., and others. Some noteworthy collaborations include "Horizon" with McCoy Tyner (1980), "Live at The Bijou" with Grover Washington Jr. (1977), and "Attica Blues" with Archie Shepp (1972).

You can learn more about John Blake Jr.'s life, music, performances, and releases on his official website.

As an alumnus of Overbrook High School in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, his contributions to the music industry certainly place him among the school's notable alumni.