John Blake Jr.

John is world renowned for his unique and exciting sound on the jazz violin. He is regarded as a consummate musician, and yet displays equal dedication is his role as a teacher. John has worked with some of the most distinguished names in jazz, including McCoy Tyner, Cecil McBee, and Grover Washington, Jr., and has appeared on more than 20 albums. He has co-authored a jazz string method book, entitled "Jazz Improvisation Made Easy", and has been recognized in Down Beat magazine as one of the top two jazz violinists in America. He has studied at the Settlement Music School, West Virginia University and the Institute for Advanced Studies in Monreux, Switzerland. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts grant to study the Carnartic violin style, and a scholarship to study in Europe with concert violist, Zino Francescotti. John is the leader of the Jazz Quartet.

Visit John Blake at http://www.johnblakejr.com/

Members of John Blake's Jazz Journey for Youth program are: Tyrone Brown (bass), Dave Posmontier (piano), and Bill Jones (percussion).

Members of John Blake's Jazzing 'Round the World program are: Dave Posmontier (piano), James Hamilton (percussion), and Michael Boone (bass).

Congratulations to Tyrone Brown! Tyrone Brown has been named one of the 12 Pew Fellows for 2003. This $50,000 grant award is an extremely high honor, Tyrone being one of over 300 applicants. Tyrone was awarded the fellowship in the field of composition, and the specific focus of the application was to write and publish a book of unaccompanied bass compositions. Two of the recorded work samples that he submitted with the application were pieces he performed at a solo concert in Germany, which was attended by 5000 people. Please visit Pew's website (www.pewarts.org/timely) and click on 'Pew Fellows' then 'news' for an article on the fellowship and for additional information on Tyrone's project & the other grants awarded.