RUSSEL BLAKE 835 Pacifc Avenue Long Beach, California 90813 (917) 776-3023 Profile: Concert Soloist/Teaching Artist/Composer/Producer/Bassist has been performing professionally for the past thirty-two years with demonstrated abilities in utilizing music and it's relation to social studies, cognitive function, critical thinking and conflict resolution for all ages. Mr. Blake has Performed/Toured/Taught in 38 countries on four continents. Mr. Blake has taught as a Professor of Electrical Bass Studies at the University of Georgia, Auburn University, The New School University in NYC, University of Wisconsin/Madison, LaGrange College & San Jacinto College. He has been contracted by the U.S. State Department to perform as an Ambassador of Goodwill to Eight West African Nations. He has also been contracted to Teach/Perform by the U.S. Defense Dept. Defense Advanced Research Agency. He is also a Recipient of The Kellogg Foundation's Prestigious Artist-In-Residency Award. Mr. Blake is currently Producer of "The Symposium of Praise Gospel Project". PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Minister in the Gospel of JESUS Christ - Ordained 1995 Little Mount Calvary Church New York City Orchestra Bassist - Queen Mary II November 2005 - January 2006 Performed as Bassist on UPN Network Show "Girlfriends" September 2005/Airdate October 2005 Special Guest & Performer - Patricia Bastian Show Comcast Cable Television August 2005 Bassist For Brenda Russell Japan Tour 2004/2005 Bassist For Actress/Singer Cybil Shepherd London Concert Series - 2004/2005 Music Minister/Bassist - Little Mt. Calvary Pentocostal Church New York City - 1995- 2003 Bassist for the Broadway Play "The Lion King" at the Amsterdam Theatre - New York City New School University's - Eyes Of The Masters Concert Series, New York City 2002 Solo Concert Performance University Of Wisconsin Ninth Annual BASS Conference Featured Guest Soloist 2001 Performed a wide array of works from Mozart, Beethoven, Bizet, Ellington, Gershwin, Monk & Segovia NBC Television 7/39 San Diego Sunday Morning Program 2001 Guest Soloist - Interviewed and Performed Mozart's Eine Kliene Nachtmusik on the Four String Electric Bass Third International Conference on Modeling and Simulation of Microsystems 2000 Page 2 Russel Blake Educator/Teaching Artist Lecture/Demonstration of the "Universal Language Music History & Cultural Program" to scientists, engineers, professors and graduate students convened from 30 countries at the US Grant Hotel in San Diego. Focused on the symbolic relationship of music and the art’s to create a greater understanding of diverse cultures. Conducted a question & answer session and delivered a keynote address on western music history. Mt. San Jacinto Community College California 1999 - Composer/Performer Commissioned by the San Jacinto College Fine Art Gallery to compose and perform a musical work to inaugurate their thirty-artist exhibition entitled "Contemplating the Millenium". Defense Advanced Research Agency – Department of Defense California 1998 Concert Soloist Contracted to perform a Solo Concert for DARPA's MicroFlumes/Composite CAD Principal Investigators and Researchers Convention in San Diego. Recipient Kellogg Foundation Artist in Residence Michigan 1997 – Teaching Artist Lectured and Demonstrated the "Universal Language Music History & Cultural Program" throughout Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, Michigan Public Schools, Catholic Schools, Libraries and at the Battle Creek Federal Center for 200 Ait Force Officers. Also created and implemented a modified version of the program for inner city Middle and High Schools, which focused on conflict resolution. Ironwood State Prison – Blythe, California 1997 – Teaching Artist Contracted by Arts in Correction to implement the "Universal Language Music History & Cultural Program" to the 5000 inmates of its maximum security Ironwood State Prison. Administered lesson plans on utilizing music for conflict resolution. Developed and conducted workshops on anger management using inmates in simulated role-play. Georgia State University – Atlanta, Georgia 1996 LaGrange College - LaGrange, Georgia Auburn University - Auburn, Alabama Adjunct Professor of Electrical Bass Studies Developed and Taught the Three Phase 15 Point Sequence of Electrical Bass Studies to University and College students of the electric bass. Adjunct Professor of Electrical Bass Studies Ensembles Organization - New York City 1993 – 1995 Director of Music Rhythm Section In conjunction with the New York City Board of Education conducted assembly programs and workshops for students K - 12 in all five boroughs. Special projects included correlation programs of Music and Science, Music and Math, Music and Nature. Worked collaboratively with board of education math and science Page 3 Russel Blake teachers to create curriculum and devise strategy for its implementation. Devised lesson plans and graded tests. United States State Department 1992 West African Tour Teaching Artist & Concert Soloist Contracted to give Lecture and Demonstration performances in eight West African Nations including but not limited to Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Sao Tome, & Senegal. Conducted workshops with local musicians and university students on the history of American music. As a goodwill ambassador performed(s) for the Presidents, Prime Ministers, Generals, Kings, Queens, Foreign Ambassadors and Tribal Leaders of each nation. Performed for millions of viewers on national television in Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria. Also performed for the US Ambassadors for each nation. Additional Teaching Artist Experience at Various Educational Institutions Young Audiences of San Diego Conducted assembly programs and performed music from diverse cultures for children Costa Meadows School – Carlsbad, California Educated students to the music of Europe and South America. A global map was implemented for representation of countries within each continent in order for countries to be identified visually by each student. Loma Elementary School – Spring Valley, California Developed cultural lesson plans for students. Assessed musical aptitude and cognitive ability working in conjunction with the PTA for special project. PROFESSIONAL BASSIST EXPERIENCE LATIN MUSIC Alex y Su Orquesta Machito & His Orchestra featuring Graciela Francisco Zumaque Rafael Cortijo Dom Um Romao Mongo Santamaria Alfredo de la Fe Conjunto Melao Paquito D’ Rivera Dave Valentin Michel Camillo Hilton Ruiz Page 4 Russel Blake JAZZ MUSIC Sonny Rollins Wynton Marsalis Pharaoh Sanders Harry Belafonte Dee Dee Bridgewater Hugh Masakela Gil Evans Clark Terry Mary Wells Sam Rivers Clifford Jordan Sonny Fortune Joe Chambers Rashied Ali Cybill Shepherd CLASSICAL MUSIC Hunter College Classical Orchestra Talent Unlimited Classical Orchestra ROCK & FUNK MUSIC Brenda Russell Chaka Khan Nona Hendryx Nina Hagen China Davis Hiram Bullock THEATER The Lion King - New Amsterdam Theater, New York City Acted & Performed in Joseph Papp Production "Sancocho" - Public Theater New York City Dreamgirls - Lunt-Fontanne Theater, New York City