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Known worldwide for his 15-year membership in Kenny Barron’s working trio and sideman duty with Pharoah Sanders, Chris Potter, Bill Frisell, and Tom Harrell among others, one of the most accomplished and in-demand drummers in modern jazz makes his West Coast debut as a leader with these four nights, joined by his dynamic quintet Pentad. Featuring Bay Area raised saxophone great Dayna Stephens and piano phenom Fabian Almazan along with young vibraphone virtuoso Jalen Baker and Blake’s longtime collaborator, bassist Dezron Douglas, the group performs material from Blake’s 2023 sophomore Blue Note release Passage.
Born in Philadelphia to jazz violin great John Blake Jr., Blake began on drums at ten and began his professional career with the Oliver Lake Big Band and Roy Hargrove while still a student at William Paterson University, where he studied with Rufus Reid, John Riley, Steve Wilson, and Horacee Arnold.

The drummer and composer has released five increasingly accomplished albums as a leader since his 2012 debut, and Passage, the second with his Pentad band, is his most personal. In his words, “This record really shows the level of trust we’ve achieved together. Pentad is a brotherhood — five entities coming together to form one sound.” Dedicated to the life and legacy of Blake’s late father, the album features compositions by the leader and members of the band as well as drumming great Ralph Peterson Jr. and the title track composed by John Blake Jr.

Personel
Johnathan Blake - Drums
Dayna Stephens - Saxophone
Fabian Almazan - Piano
Dezron Douglas - Bass
Jalen Baker - Vibraphone

Setlist
"Passage" Johnathan Blake
"Muna & Johna's Playtime" Johnathan Blake
"Groundhog Day" Johnathan Blake
"Tears I Cannot Hide" Ralph Peterson, Jr.
"Steppin' Out" Joe Jackson
"West Berkley St." Johnathan Blake