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 Drummer/percussionist J. D. Blair says he feels "blessed" with the success he's enjoyed, having toured with the phenomenally popular country vocalist Shania Twain. The back-to-back, multi-platinum successes of Twain's albums Woman in Me and Come on Over prompted sell-out tours in 1998 and 1999, and Blair was there for both.
Between tours with Twain, Blair records, performs, and tours with jazz bassist Victor Wooten. He appears on Wooten's eclectic '97 release, What Did He Say? (with funk, rap, jazz, and Irish influences) and on the Grammy nominated cd, Yin and Yang. Blair's playing is also showcased on saxaphonist Kirk Whalum's 1998 release, The Gospel According to Jazz. Blair can be heard on other notable recordings such as: Alone in His Presence, the 1995 Grammy-winning recording from gospel artist CeCe Winans, and folksinger Heather Eatman's, Mascara Falls.
Blair, who grew up in Alabama and is now based in Nashville, Tennessee began playing drums when he was in ninth grade, starting on a snare drum. He played with his school marching and concert bands, then went on to study music at Norfolk State University. His early musical influences were the drummers who worked with James Brown, P-Funk, and Bootsy Collins, as well as Joel Smith, drummer for gospel artist Walter Hawkins.
Blair remembers his first set of LP congas and it was "love at first sight." Today he values his LP gear "because it's great on the road. The craftsmanship and the durability are absolutely top-notch."
Equipment list: LP
Congas, LP
Jam Blocks, assorted
LP Cowbells, LP
Gajate Bracket
For more information on J.D. Blair, please
visit his site: www.jdblair.net
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