Blake Gaines is a bassist with a horn-like melodic style and driving lines with great timing, according to Buddy Williams "more like gravity". His choice of melodic and solo patterns hint to influences such as Chuck Rainey, Alfonso Johnson, Stanley, Jaco Pastorius and John Patitucci.
Blake's debut release "Smooth BASSics" not only brings a melodic bassist to the scene, it also introduces a multi-talented musician in the same. On this project he programed all percussion tracks, played all keys, trumpet, 7 string bass, and sing background vocals on the hit single "The Look". Also featured is Saxophonist Kevin "Smooth" Houser, and vocalist Alexander "Smooth" Lattimore.
While in grade school, Blake began studying jazz in afternoon and summer jazz programs that were offered year round. These sessions were organized by such greats as Ellis Marsalis, Kidd Jordan and Alvin Batiste. Blake, who considers himself just another New Orleans talent, quickly emerged as one of the cities finest bassist. With an ability to anticipate progressions, reproduce lines so exact and instantaneously, he was nicknamed "memorex".
Later he became known even more for his unique sound and speed, then called "The Fingers". He continued his studies in jazz and music education at Southern University in Baton Rouge Louisiana. There he performed with names like Willie Singleton, Henry Butler, Charlie Singleton, Banford Marsalis, Dennis Nelson, Wes Anderson, Raymond Harris, Randy Jackson (of American Idol), Ray Mutont, Herman Jackson and Donald Harris. While performing with the university jazz band and the Alvin Batiste Quartet, Blake still found the time to participate in the marching band and served as staff musical arranger. One year later he transfered to Jackson State University where he studied horn, jazz and arranging with Professor Davis, performed with the incomparable Andy Hardwick and earned a Bachelor in Music Education. Blake also holds a Masters in Music Education from The University of Central Oklahoma, and currently working on his Ph D. in Music Education at Ohio State University.
For the last 11 years Blake has recorded and toured with smooth jazz pianist Bob Baldwin. During that period, he has shared stages with artist such as Tom Brown, Marion Meadows, Chuck Lobe, Joey Summerville, Buddy Williams, and Will Downing. As an arranger he has scored music for the 1994 Super Bowl Pre-Game Show and two musical arrangement on the recent movie "Drum Line"
Read more...