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Ian Blake / About This Artist

Artist Details and Stats:

Hometown: Canberra, ACT, AU

Website: www.ianblake.net

Genre: Classical

#-
Classical charts for Canberra, ACT, AU
  • 47
    Total Fans
  • 974
    Profile Views
  • 3,324
    Widget Hits

Biography:

Ian enjoys folk music, early music and electronica, and his own music often shows traces of all three: he has worked as a composer for theatre, film, chamber music, dance and public art projects, while his production and sound engineering skills have earned him a Gold Disc and an ARIA nomination.
Originally from London, Ian made his Covent Garden debut at the age of 13, but hasn't had a gig there since: however, his subsequent career has been varied and far-ranging... mainly in the folk and world music scene with, amongst others, Pyewackett, June Tabor, Michelle Shocked, and the Mellstock Band; in venues from Alaska to Zanzibar. Since moving to Australia, Ian has toured extensively with Eric Bogle and produced two of Eric's CDs at his Canberra studio.
Ian has produced award-winning records for children, many for the ABC: his multi-instrumental abilities and arranging skills have contributed to some classics, notably with Mike Jackson.
He works in Europe regularly, mostly with long-time collaborator Andrew Cronshaw: projects include the 2002 Contemporary Music Network tour with the Finnish show 'On the Shoulders of the Great Bear'. The latest venture, SANS, includes Finnish singer Sanna Kurki-Suonio and Armenian duduk player Tigran Aleksanyan, and draws on the various traditions of the ensemble.
In 2005 Ian received an Australian Capital Territory Creative Arts Fellowship and is now pursuing a PhD in composition and sound art at the Australian National University. He was awarded the 2006 National Folk Fellowship which led to a live/electroacoustic piece based on material from the children's folklore collections at the National Library, performed at the 2007 National Folk Festival.
Recent and forthcoming work in concert music and multimedia includes: 'Eidola', for chamber choir and digital organ; 'The River Daughter', for solo voice, bassoon and electronics; 'One of Us', for the Quantum Leap production My Sister, My Brother; 'The Gathering', a sound installation at the M16 artspace; and soundscapes/musical direction for the show Fundamental Sound at the Griffith Conservatorium.
Ian plays bass with Cassidy's Ceili, Canberra's premier panCeltic party band, and sings bass with The Pocket Score Company, a full-range ensemble of Renaissance blokes. Just a low frequency kind of guy.

Press:

“Rivero is able to cross styles and moods to bewitching effect, while Blake colours the dreams with woodwinds and keyboards.”
John Shand - Sydney Morning herald

“'Luminous' is exceptionally enjoyable and the duo must be great to see live in concert.”
Jaslyn Hall - limelight

“Totally refreshing: the music is confident, engaging and has a wonderful element of surprise.”
Paul Petran - ABC Radio National

“Right throughout this beautifully crafted album...the sounds you will hear are clear, fresh, colourful, and thought-provoking.”
Barry McDonald - Trad and Now

“...if you're open to a cool, jazzy take on tradition from true musical masters, this is a beautiful recording well worth the effort to find.”
Mark D. Moss - SingOut!

“'multi-faceted and highly inventive music...'”
fRoots