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
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
Marlon Merritt-Guitar
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.
Marlon Merritt -
Guitar
"Alone Together"-Michael and Marlyn Merritt. “You’re The One For Me”-Alan and Lita Blake-2 Of Us Music
Links
| http://www.alanandlitablake.com |