Blake Lyman
Saxophonist and composer Blake Lyman has performed worldwide. Originally from Sacramento, California, Blake began saxophone at age 8, and has since performed at such venues as Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. While attending the University of Chicago (B.A. Economics, 2005) Blake performed throughout Chicago with members of Chicago’s AACM, and studies at the London School of Economics allowed him to perform extensively in that city. Having graduated from the California Institute of the Arts in 2007, he now resides in Portland, OR.
In 2012 he released his debut, Anthology, For Now, featuring Andrew Jones on bass and Jonas Oglesbee on drums.
Reviews
This Portland saxophonist’s debut album has him sounding way more comfortable standing in his own reeds than should be expected when using the word ‘debut’. A trio outing, I was ready for a competent but unspectacular blowing session. Instead, what I got was a confident set of evocative tunes. Lyman takes a speak softly and carry a big sax approach to this album, letting his instrument give the impression of force without ever letting the volume get loud enough so that the neighbor’s call the police. Very impressive album. Nice straight-ahead music. Lyman clearly has his own voice; it doesn’t ever sound like he’s trying to channel his sax idols. Recommended.
David Sumner, emusic.com
January 10, 2012
Portland saxophonist Blake Lyman's trio is a bit unconventional. The group is piano-less, with bassist Andrew Jones and drummer Jonas Oglesbee filling out a sound that's surprisingly deep considering its portability. Unlike a lot of debut efforts, Lyman and company also rely almost entirely on originals on debut discAnthology, for Now—Joe Henderson's well-rendered "Black Narcissus" being the lone exception. And in an age where young players often premiere chaotic bursts of sound, Lyman's group prefers to mix straight-ahead sounds reminiscent of pre-bop Charlie Parker and more modern pre-free influences. "Song" and "The Game" feel indebted to John Coltrane, but other tracks remind, funny enough, of pianist composers like George Russell and Bill Evans (the latter was often criticized for doing the sort of multi-track layering that Lyman does on the gorgeous and mathy "Pastoral"). There's an awful lot of talent in the playing here, but the real draw is in Lyman's knack for original composition and the group's noir mood.
Casey Jarman, Willamette Week
January 13, 2012
Blake is a very concise band leader, providing charts for his original tunes (and there were many of them), as well as an easy bantering with the crowd. His sax solos were smooth and soulful. “But Not For Me” and “Green Dolphin Street” were two of my favorites. One of his impressive originals was introduced as “Natalie’s Song”. She had dark hair, a red scarf, a shy smile…the melody moved between tenderness and passion, and had all the girls wishing someone would write a song like that about them.
Linda Daiber, Jazz Society of Oregon
March 6, 2009
