This sui generis pianist, composer, educator turns 89 in a few weeks. He's still creating and still performing (in NYC next week, posted in the Shows section). For those who know his work, no words needed. But if you don't know it and are interested in creative improvisation at its most unique, instrumentalists who carve out a wholly personal sound, film noir, or just have an affinity for the completely different — check it out.
His discography is not intimidating and fairly modest for a seven-decade career. Some recommendations to sample:
1962 – The Newest Sound Around (RCA) with Jeanne Lee
1966 – Ran Blake Plays Solo Piano (ESP)
1976 – Breakthru (IAI) produced by Paul Bley
1980 – Film Noir (Arista-Novus)
1986 – The Short Life of Barbara Monk (Soul Note)
1997 – A Memory of Vienna (HatHut) with Anthony Braxton
2001 – Sonic Temples (GM) on Gunther Schuller's label
2015 – Ghost Tones: Portraits of George Russell (A-Side)
2021 – Looking Glass (A-Side) digital only
His book, Primacy of the Ear, is of interest to not only improvising musicians but artists of any kind. He's also just published a book (co-written) on film noir and his biography, Shimmering Shadows, is just being published this month and is a fascinating read. He was friends with Gunther Schuller, George Russell, and Thelonious Monk, his family and Nica. He cajoled a job at Atlantic Records from the Ertegun brothers because he loved Ray Charles so much, worked with Tom Dowd there. He also studied with Oscar Peterson, Mal Waldron, Randy Weston, and Mary Lou Williams.
Ran is a special cat. His music is deserving of — and will reward — your time.