This is some music I have been working on and off on for the past 10+ years. Matt Calvert and I have worked together many, many times and this is an all acoustic set featuring a highly individual and fresh sound world created by Matt and the other fantastic musicians involved. I am so proud of this album and would love to hear any feedback from people. Here is a link to the album, which can also be found at all the other usual platforms. I am also happy to say it is available on vinyl from the label, Truant Recordings                I hope you enjoy the music, there is a live video here to watch also!

https://mattcalvert.bandcamp.com/track/mute-heart

Delighted to now be a Latin Percussion artist. LP instruments have always been the best and to be part of their prestigious roster is a complete honour. Looking forward to playing their wonderful bongos, bells, shakers and other classic sounds as well as using some items from the new RAW range, well worth checking out. Here is my artist page :

http://www.lpmusic.com/artists/artist-roster#John-Blease

Extremely happy to now be playing Istanbul Agop cymbals. I have always loved these cymbals and it is an honour to be a part of the family. I am mainly playing the 30th anniversary models but am also enjoying the traditional, Xist and all the other ranges. These cymbals sound absolutely fantastic and, for me, are the best on the market.

https://istanbulcymbals.com/artists/337/john-blease.html

It has been a busy and HOT summer, sweating my baws off playing drums in the heat! Most of July was spent in studios recording for various projects. First time at Rockfield Studios in Wales which I think is an incredible place. I then had a couple of shows in the south of France with Seal. Boomtown and The Downs festivals were rocked with Goldie as was the Royal Albert Hall with the Heritage Orchestra for the BBC Proms. I then spent 2 weeks at unbelievable ICP Studios in Brussels working on a record. Also, the documentary I worked on with Max De Wardener was aired on Channel 4, I am very proud of that. Here’s a link

 

June 2018 saw me tour the States with Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters. What an experience! We took in cities from east to west and a couple of Canadian dates, festivals and our own shows. Here’s when Sheryl Crow sat in with us…

Over the next 6 weeks I am filling in for my good friend Dave Smith with Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters. It is a total honour and I am having a lot of fun with the guys. We have just done a couple of gigs in the UK and next month head to the States for a month long tour. Very excited to be visiting some new places and playing some great music with phenomenal musicians. Hope to see you at a show! 

Honoured to have been taken on by Gretsch as an artist. I’ve always admired their drums and many of my idols such as Tony Williams, Philly Joe Jones, Mel Lewis and Elvin Jones all played Gretsch. I grew up marvelling at their sound, still do! When I moved to London I saved up and bought a 30’s round-badge snare drum with “stick-chopper” hoops I’d fallen in love with on Denmark Street. Gretsch drums have always had a sound, feel and identity. I’m proud to be playing these wonderful instruments.

I am playing a Gretsch Broadkaster in Black Glass with various snares. They sound MEGA!! Check out my profile :

http://www.gretschdrums.com/artists/john-blease

I have just completed a month’s tour of the UK, Dublin and Paris with Seal. The set consisted of the big hits such as Kiss From A Rose, Killer and Crazy along with songs from his latest release, Standards. This is all classic big band and strings repertoire, so for me, was a joy to meld all these styles in one show. The band was top notch and I’m honoured to have been included. The show received rave reviews with The Express citing the drum break on Crazy as the “highlight of the show” – I’ll take that!! Our next stop is Australia with hopefully more dates to be added throughout the year.

Whilst on tour with Seal this month I talked to Drum Quest about drums, life, music and other things!! Have a listen here :

Played drums on this banger… CHUFFED about it!! ENJOY, Happy New Year X