Ran Blake and Dave "Knife" Fabris
Mentorship Becomes Collaboration
Dave credits his longtime teacher, mentor, friend, and collaborator Ran Blake for helping to develop his unique genre-bending style. While studying Blake’s Third Stream ear training method as a student at the New England Conservatory of Music, Dave found validation in his pursuit of blending the many disparate styles that spoke to him.
Fabris studied with Blake from 1987-1991 while a student at the New England Conservatory of Music (Ran coined the "Knife" nickname during the first semester!). Now the pair celebrates a 35 year friendship and musical partnership that continues into Mr. Blake's 8th decade.
Their latest release, Live Amsterdam (First Visit), is a live recording from 2006 but represents the duo's most telegraphic playing! It is due out this year...stay tuned.
Live Amsterdam out now!
A sleeping gem unearthed Live Amsterdam 2006 Ran Blake/Dave Knife Fabris (First Visit, ezz-thetic 107) In the midst of their third international tour together, Blake and Fabris played a concert at the venerable BIMhuis in Amsterdam. As they left, the great folks at the venue handed them a recording of their set which was promptly packed away for the remainder of the tour. 15 years later, during the pandemic, the Knife found this recording and realized it was the best playing ever captured by this duo! Blake’'s solo playing is sublime as always but the duo is locked in, finishing each other's thoughts and creating a magical conversation. "...the duo (and trio) experience that Blake and Fabris had together shines through and they sound comfortable together from first note to last. Exquisite." (John Eyles, All About Jazz 10/28/24) Listen and get a copy here https://davefabris.com/recordings
4 Star Review in Downbeat!
Indian winter
Recorded at the Black Saint/Soulnote studio in Milan
