The Blake Music Group

Artist Information

Biography

"It is truly an honor for me to recommend the music of Alan and Lita Blake Music Group for live performances or events that call for live upbeat music. Alan and Lita are an extraordinary team whose experience with other artists affords them a unique musical perspective that I thoroughly enjoy."-Najee (5/19/06)

"I wish to extend recognition to both of you for your collaboration with Grover Washington Jr.....Thank you for your live performance in-concert with Grover and your participation in the recording of his album 'Reed Seed.'"-Christine Washington-(wife of the late Grover Washington Jr.)

"They are incredible musicians and human beings-I would like to acknowledge Alan and Lita Blake."-Rachelle Ferrell (Variety Playhouse, Dec 2003)

"Thanks for your participation in my successful 'Dancin' in the Sun' and "Asphault Gardens' album projects"-the late George Howard

"Alan and Lita Blake are two people of integrity and talent.
Just recently, I had the pleasure of receiving a tune written by Mr. Al and it is now a great tribute to the wonderful musical talents of two great Philly guys, the late Grover Washington, Jr. and Mr. George Howard. I was awed by the style and feel of the writing. Both Al and Lita are tremendous artists and deserve to be heard by the world many times over."

Bob Baldwin
Pianist/Composer/Performer
www.bobbaldwin.com

Smooth Jazz Keyboardist Alan Blake and jazz vocalist Lita Blake have toured and recorded with artists such as the late Grover Washington Jr., the late George Howard, Jean Carne, Kevin Eubanks, and Rachelle Ferrell. Lita studied under Dr. Donald Byrd at Howard University and performed with jazz pianist Billy Taylor and bassist Ron Carter during a Settlement Music School event in Philadelphia. They have performed at the Saratoga Springs Jazz Festival, Baltimore Harbor Jazz series, and several national venues with the late George Howard, Fairmount Park Philadelphia with jazz saxophonist the late Grover Washington Jr., the Hampton University Jazz Festival, Trinity College Workshop, Penns Landing jazz series, as well as the famous Blue Note jazz club in New York with jazz violinist John Blake, University of Pennsylvania Medical School Jazz events, "Music@Noon" Concert series (Centennial Park-Atlanta), “Chastain at the Cascades” Jazz concert series, Third World Festival at Centennial Park (2003), Swarthmore College Student Union Jazz concert series, “Jazz by the Lake” concert series in Stone Mountain, GA., St. Kitts Prime Ministers’ New Years Ball (2006). They opened for Jeffrey Osborne in June, 2005 at the benchmark 100 Black Men event “Le Cabaret” in Atlanta, Georgia, and opened for Frankie Beverly and Maze at "Le Cabaret" 2006. They performed recently for a private reception for Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin Poussaint in Lake Spivey, GA. Alan and Lita also opened for Jeffrey Osborne for Morehouse School of Medicine's Inaugural Gala for its' 5th president Dr. John Maupin at the Atlanta Aquarium on March 23, 2007, and opened for Chaka Khan at the 100 Black Men's benchmark "Le Cabaret" in Atlanta in May 2007.
Alan is the brother of world renown violinist John Blake Jr.

Guitarist Marlon Merritt recently completed a twenty-year career in the U.S. Army band. Touring extensively as leader of one of the 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division Band's Show band and Jazz combo, Merritt has performed on stage with such notables as Amy Grant, Wynnona Judd, Athena Cage, and former president Bill Clinton. Merritt's combo was the first to play for troops and other Sheik dignitaries after hostilities decreased in Iraq. He along with the Division Band performed in a historic first Iraqi Arts festival held in nearly forty years after the fall of the Saddam regime.
Other notables Merritt has performed with include Yolanda Adams, Phoebe Hines, and Ben Tankard, Plas Johnson and Charles Dungy.
Marlon Merritt is the son of highly acclaimed and world renown jazz bassist Jimmy Merritt.

Drummer David Haynes has worked with artists such as Chaka Khan, Lee Ritenour, Les McCann, to name a few along with his numerous video and live television appearances with such artists as Prince, Percy Sledge and the Weather Girls, he has crafted a unique style of percussive melodies via the drum set that places him in a class rarely matched.

Instrumentation

Alan Blake-Keyboards and Vocals
Lita Blake-Vocals and Keyboards
Jeff Smith-Bass
David Haynes-Drums

Discography

Alan Blake -
Keyboards/Vocals/Synthesizer programming
"Dancin' in The Sun"-George Howard. "Asphalt Gardens"-George Howard. "Brother's Keeper"-Bob Thompson. "Adventures Of The Heart"-John Blake Jr.. "Caribbean Sunset"-John Blake Jr./Grover Washington Jr.. "Maiden Dance"-John Blake Jr. “You’re The One For Me”-Alan and Lita Blake-2 Of Us Music.

Lita Blake -
Vocals, Keyboards, Percussion
"Dancin' In The Sun"-George Howard. "Live At The Bijou"and "Reed Seed"-Grover Washington Jr. "Adventures Of The Heart"-John Blake Jr.. "Maiden Dance"-John Blake Jr. “You’re The One For Me”-Alan and Lita Blake-2 Of Us Music.

Links

• Facebook
• MySpace
• Twitter

Audio

• Ladies Night
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• R&Bmedley
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• Cupid
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• Superstition
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• Holy Groove II
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Najee recommends Alan and Lita Blake [+ Show ]
  

  "It is truly an honor for me to recommend the music of Alan and Lita Blake Music Group for live perf..."It is truly an honor for me to recommend the music of Alan and Lita Blake Music Group for live performances or events that call for live upbeat music. Alan and Lita are an extraordinary team whose experience with other artists affords them a unique musical perspective that I thoroughly enjoy."-
  Najee (5/19/06)

• Bruce Pulver review-2008 [+ Show ]
  

  March 2008 (Future of Jazz Competition) “Very powerful voice, FUN! You were having fun that made us...March 2008 (Future of Jazz Competition)
  “Very powerful voice, FUN! You were having fun that made us have fun with you! Enjoyed your spirit and emotion. The arrangements were well done to support and compliment your strengths. Wonderful drama to the tunes.
  Great Energy!
  

• Alan and Lita Blake and Chaka Khan perform... [+ Show ]
  

  Popular Atlanta jazz duo Alan and Lita Blake perform for the 3rd year in a row at the annual 100 Bla...Popular Atlanta jazz duo Alan and Lita Blake perform for the 3rd year in a row at the annual 100 Black Men "Le Cabaret" Gala Event in the Gala reception area and the Main Stage area at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. prior to the Chaka Khan concert on Friday May 25th, 2007 at 7PM.

• Atlanta's own Alan and Lita Blake [+ Show ]
  

  "This year's Le Cabaret event will feature a concert performance from Atlanta's own Alan and Lita Bl..."This year's Le Cabaret event will feature a concert performance from Atlanta's own Alan and Lita Blake and Frankie Beverly and Maze."

• Both Al and Lita are tremendous artists.... [+ Show ]
  

  "Alan and Lita Blake are two people of integrity and talent. Just recently, I had the pleasure of r..."Alan and Lita Blake are two people of integrity and talent.
  Just recently, I had the pleasure of receiving a tune written by Mr. Al and it is now a great tribute to the wonderful musical talents of two great Philly guys, the late Grover Washington, Jr. and Mr. George Howard.
  I was awed by the style and feel of the writing. Both Al and Lita are tremendous artists and deserve to be heard by the world many times over."

Setlist

Sets are Flexible....

DINNER/EASY LISTENING:
Superstition
Mona Lisa
Boy From Ipanema
I Believe in Miracles
Taste of Honey
Cristo Redento
Wave
How Insensitive
We're in This Love Together
Love Times Love
How Did You Find Your Way
Hookin Up
I Will Always Love You
Unforgettable
What a Wonderful World
Think Twice
The Closer I Get To You
Let's Get Started
What You Won't Do For Love
I Love You Just The Way You Are
Cherish The Day
Sweetest Taboo
Heaven Must've Sent You From Above

DANCE:
Cupid Shuffle
Before I let Go-Frankie Beverly
Beat Goes On -(Whispers)
Rock Steady
Reasons
1999
Back In Love
PYT
Get Down On It
Gettin' Hot In Here
I Like The Way You move
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
Ain't Nobody
Jamaica Funk
This Is How We Do It
Steppin'
Electric Slide
Mississippi Slide
Love Train
My Girl
I'm You're Baby Tonight
Early In The Morning
Outstanding
Woo Woo Song
Marvin Gaye Medley
Family Affair-Mary J Blige
Funky Good Time
Deja Vu






......

and a host of Dance, Jazz and Oldies music

Basic Requirements

Calendar