photo by Michael Faulkner

Cameron Blake with Strings

All tickets $10

PROGRAM:

Cameron Blake will be joined by the following musicians:

Jennifer Herrera, violin Hollis Hammonds, violin Ruby Fulton, viola Geoff Knorr, cello Chris Pierorazio, percussion

*String quartet arrangement of “The Love Song Never Died” by Ruby Fulton

ABOUT THE ARTIST:

“displayed flashes of brilliance” (Baltimore City Paper)

“Evocative no matter how you cut it.” (B Newspaper)

“Beautiful!” (Washington Times)

Cameron Blake was born and raised in the small town of Rockford, Michigan. Growing up in rural Michigan meant dealing with lots of snow, cattle farms fumigating the air, and time spent with trees, grass, and creeks. Some might call these his "folk" roots. However, Cameron was also listening to his parents’ records of classical music and developing tastes for composers such as Bartok, Prokofiev, and Debussy. He took a liking to the violin at the age of 12, practiced really hard, and eventually received a Master’s degree from the Peabody Conservatory of Music.

While at the conservatory, Blake lost himself in the guts and glamour of Baltimore city. He knew he needed a change of artistic landscape and like a great message from beyond; he stumbled across the music of Bob Dylan. Dylan became a major source of inspiration and if you ask Cameron any question about Bob Dylan today, you'll probably get a very thorough answer. Like his new found hero, Cameron quickly taught himself how to sing, play the piano and guitar, and began writing songs. Cameron also found a deep freedom of expression through lyric writing and the American folk vernacular. Songwriting quickly became his passion.

In 2007, he formed a band and has since written and recorded two albums: Over and Over (2008) and En Route (2009). Both received positive reviews and as one writer described it “managed to work a perfect balance of folk, pop and rock with profound lyrics that have a deeper meaning than your run of the mill love song” (Revue Magazine). En Route was selected by Tinderbox Music for a national college radio campaign, receiving heavy airplay and its single “On My Way to Jordan” took 1st place in folk on ourstage.com. The album’s other single “Fit Right In” was recently set to a music video directed by local filmmaker Michael Faulkner.

The artistry and charisma of Cameron’s live performances have enabled him to perform in numerous venues throughout the East Coast, Texas, Michigan and even Paris, France. Known for constantly changing the arrangements of his songs in concert, Cameron has collaborated with various musicians from the Peabody Conservatory, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and local rock, country, and Dixieland performers. Performances following the release of his debut album Over and Over earned him accolades including the 8x10 Club’s August 2008 Artist of the Month in Baltimore’s City Paper and 1st place among 36 competitors in Philadelphia’s renowned World Café Live ‘Philly Rising’ Open Stage. Most recently, Cameron and his band stepped into the studios at 89.7 WTMD and delivered a stunning live set on ‘Baltimore Unsigned.’ With only the use of traditional instruments, the performance was described as “one of the most interesting editions of Baltimore Unsigned” by host Sam Sessa.

For more information about the music of Cameron Blake visit:
www.cameronblakemusic.com
www.myspace.com/cameronblakew