Presented by The Kairos Arena
Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana and son of a Baptist pastor, Grammy winning musician Brian Blade established himself as a versatile, in-demand drummer early in his career, appearing on albums by the likes of Joshua Redman, Kenny Garrett, and Bob Dylan. Blade released Brian Blade Fellowship, his first of eight albums, at the age of 27 in 1998. A bit of a musical alchemist, his folkloric gospel-rooted take on the jazz genre has captivated audiences and critics alike through the years. Ever the "first call" drummer and collaborator since settling in New York City in 1992, Blade himself has worked with a varied bevy of artists, including Joni Mitchell, Bill Frisell, Brad Mehldau, Daniel Lanois, Christian McBride, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Norah Jones, and Wayne Shorter, working with him from 2000 until Shorter's death in 2023. In 2013, Blade won the ECHO Jazz Award for International Artist of the Year Drums/Percussion, as well as the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album, Trilogy, with Chick Corea.

Kairos Arena Director, Dwight Huthwaite, was stunned and elated that Blade and Middle Way Music accepted his offer to play at St. Andrew's. "Every time I think about Brian Blade & The Fellowship Band coming to play at St. Andrew's, I have to pinch myself to believe it's really happening. I have wanted to bring in a good jazz artist for years. I never thought the first would be someone this good! That's quite a bar for the future."

The Fellowship Band was formed in 1997 and originates from the meeting of Brian Blade and Jon Cowherd in 1988 while they were studying at Loyola University in New Orleans. The all-star lineup functions like a harmonious congregation, ebbing and flowing as one.

"One remarkable thing about The Fellowship Band is how it captures that same sense of breath and emotional expressivism with an instrumental music most observers would file under contemporary jazz. This feels almost like a magic trick, and it's something Blade could take credit for, if he were the sort to seek credit." - NPR

Saturday, September 7, 2024
7:00 pm (Doors open 6:00 pm)

Note
No alcohol will be sold at this event

The Sanctuary at St. Andrew's Church
440 Whilden Street, Mount Pleasant, SC

General Admission Tickets
Adults General Admission $40
Students $25*
Children Free**

*Students: 6th grade and up, including middle school, high school, college, etc.
**Children: Under 6th grade