Alternate Take: The versatility of Detroit Jazz Festival’s Artist-In-Residence drummer Brian Blade

Brian Blade might be the most versatile drummer to come out of jazz. He’s contributed his rhythmic prowess to some of the most recognized names in the jazz world, including Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny and Charles Lloyd. Playing alongside these giants, he supplies the finesse needed to complete complex arrangements — sometimes bombastic but often subtle.

It’s when Blade performs with musicians outside of the jazz world — like Daniel Lanois, Joni Mitchell, Beth Orton, Bob Dylan and Iron & Wine — that his movements and adaptability behind the kit shine in unexpected ways. Songwriters who are known in the folk, rock, and alternative circles are suddenly given a new light, and it often comes off like jazz.

With the invitation by Daniel Lanois, who he’s worked with on several projects, he helped usher in a new, more stylized era for Bob Dylan on his 1997 release, Time Out of Mind. But first, he assisted Emmylou Harris on her landmark Lanois-produced album Wrecking Ball (1995), giving “Where Will I Be” the steady pacing and musical latitude needed to help usher in a then-entirely-new genre of music called Americana.

Brian Blade is the foundation for one of Joni Mitchell’s brightest moments “Harlem in Havana,” and it’s difficult to imagine anyone else handling the song with the same level of grace. By the time he worked with Iron & Wine and Beth Orton, perhaps his magic touch was expected. Nonetheless, he creates a welcomed atmosphere at a time when these songwriters were open to changes in songwriting and style.

Blade performed on three occasions at the 2024 Detroit Jazz Festival as the Artist-In-Residence. Watch Brian Blade and the Fellowship Band perform with the Detroit Jazz Festival Jazz Orchestra during the final night of the fest below.