Editing Brian Blade (section)

==Early life==
[[File:brian-blade_DSC09067.jpg|thumb|Brian Blade in Aarhus, Denmark 2017]]
Born and raised in [[Shreveport, Louisiana]],<ref name="bluenote">{{cite web |title=Brian Blade - Biography |url=https://www.bluenote.com/artist/brian-blade/ |website=Blue Note Records |access-date=24 October 2023}}</ref> Blade was exposed to [[gospel music|gospel]] and [[praise music]]<ref name="hodge">{{cite news |last1=Hodge |first1=Eric |title=Brian Blade Brings 'Praise From The Heart' to Chapel Hill |url=https://www.wunc.org/arts-culture/2015-02-20/brian-blade-brings-praise-from-the-heart-to-chapel-hill |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=WUNC 91.5 |issue=February 20 |publisher=WUNC North Carolina Public Radio |date=2015}}</ref> while attending Zion Baptist Church at which his father, Brady L. Blade Sr., was pastor.<ref name="roos">{{cite news |last1=Roos |first1=Brandon |title=Revered Drummer Brian Blade Draws a Through-Line from Jazz to Gospel |url=https://www.kqed.org/arts/13834489/revered-jazz-drummer-brian-blade-the-fellowship |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=KQED |issue=Jun 11 |publisher=KQED Inc. |date=2018}}</ref> Blade initially began learning [[violin]] and participated in the church [[choir]],<ref name="hodge" /> an experience which Blade later acknowledged was influential in his musical development.<ref name="jolley" /> Following in the footsteps of his older brother, [[Brady Blade|Brady Blade Jr.]],<ref name="Pellegrinelli">{{cite news |last1=Pellegrinelli |first1=Lara |title=O Brothers: Drummers Brian and Brady Blade |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/ablogsupreme/2013/12/10/249825711/o-brothers-drummers-brian-and-brady-blade |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=A Blog Supreme From NPR Jazz |agency=NPR |issue=December 10 |date=2013}}</ref> Blade developed skills on the drum kit while 'depping' for his brother in the church band.<ref name="jolley">{{cite news |last1=Jolley |first1=Craig |title=Meet Brian Blade |url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/meet-brian-blade-brian-blade |access-date=24 October 2023 |work=AllAboutJazz |issue=February 17 |publisher=All About Jazz & Jazz Near You. |date=2022}}</ref> Soon after Blade shifted his focus to the drums throughout middle and high school.<ref name="brianblade1">{{cite web |url=http://www.brianblade.com/bio.aspx |title=Official site – biography |publisher=Brianblade.com |date=July 25, 1970 |access-date=October 6, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006161210/http://www.brianblade.com/bio.aspx |archive-date=October 6, 2011 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

During high school, while studying with Dorsey Summerfield Jr.,<ref name="Pellegrinelli" /> Blade began listening to the music of [[John Coltrane]] and [[Thelonious Monk]], and became increasingly influenced by the drumming styles of [[Elvin Jones]], [[Art Blakey]], [[Jo_Jones|Papa Jo Jones]], and [[Paul Motian]].<ref name="davies">{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Kaleb |title=Brian Blade: Serving the music |url=https://archive.orartswatch.org/brian-blade-serving-the-music/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=Oregon Arts Watch |issue=February 23 |publisher=Oregon Arts Watch |date=2016}}</ref><ref name="jolley" /> By the age of eighteen, Brian moved to [[New Orleans]] to attend [[Loyola University New Orleans|Loyola University]].<ref name="hirsch">{{cite news |last1=Hirsch |first1=Masako |title=Brian Blade kicks off Loyola Jazz Fest |url=https://loyolamaroon.com/104583/uncategorized/brian-blade-kicks-off-loyola-jazz-fest/ |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=The Maroon |agency=Loyola Student Media |issue=March 11 |date=2009}}</ref> From 1988 through 1993, he studied and played with most of the master musicians living in New Orleans, including [[Johnny Vidacovich]], [[Ellis Marsalis Jr.|Ellis Marsalis]], [[Steve Masakowski]], Bill Huntington, Mike Pellera, John Mahoney, George French, [[Germaine Bazzle]], David Lee Jr., [[Alvin Tyler|Alvin Red Tyler]], [[Tony Dagradi]] and [[Harold Battiste]].<ref name="brianblade1"/><ref name="jolley" />