Drummer Brian Blade has often visited the Netherlands as a member of the great saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s band. From Shorter, Blade learned that we must be faithful to the idea of fearlessness. He applied the same spirit of risk when he began recording the fourth album of The Fellowship Band (which he founded in 1997). In the compositions on Landmarks (2014) Blake strives to strike a balance between a personal story and its resonance with the audience. In The Fellowship Band, Blade collaborates closely with pianist Jon Cowherd, with whom he studied. Cowherd is co-founder and leader of the band, and writes and co-produces compositions. The remaining members are saxophonists Myron Walden and Melvin Butler, guitarists Marvin Sewell and Jeff Parker, and bassist Chris Thomas. The music on Landmarks was influenced by Blade’s birthplace, the musical melting pot of Shreveport, Louisiana. Blade takes us on an exploratory journey across the region.
