Ran Blake T-shirts featuring Ran’s “black bag” logo are now available. The cotton jerseys come in small, medium, large and extra large.

The cost is $15 per shirt. If you’re in the Boston area, you can arrange to pick them up directly from Ran’s assistant Aaron Hartley at NEC or at Ran’s Brookline apartment. If you order by mail, there’s an additional $4 shipping charge. For more information or to arrange an order, please contact Aaron at tromboneman03@yahoo.com.

Our ad a few months back brought several new assistants on board, but Ran is still looking for one or two more.

Assistants help Ran with various projects at his Brookline residence. The most important skill is proficiency with computers (ideally the Mac). Fast typing, good spelling, and general problem-solving and organizational skills are also important.

This is a paying position. Hours are somewhat flexible and might range from 4 to 15 a week. Some weekend work is required. If you’d like a more complete job description, please email Ran at ran@ranblake.com.

The fall semester marks the start of Ran’s 40th year at NEC. Ran is teaching two classes: long-term melodic memory and development of personal style.

Ran is gearing up for his show August 28 at Vernissage, a Russian restaurant at 1627 Beacon Street in Brookline.

For the group show, titled “Washington Square Noir: Ice Cream and Tears,” Ran will be joined by David “Knife” Fabris (guitar), Joel Yennior (trombone), and Jon Hazilla (percussion). This photo shows a slightly earlier version of the quartet — from left to right, Joel, guitarist Jonah Kraut (who recently moved to Chicago), Knife, and Ran. In addition, vocalist Dominique Eade will make a special guest appearance.

The Boston Globe did a feature on the burgeoning music scene in Washington Square that spotlighted the Vernissage and Ran’s impending appearance there.

The show starts at 8 p.m., and the cover charge is $20. Call (617) 566-3340 for more information.

Other upcoming shows:

September 2 — Ran will play a song or two at the annual New England Conservatory orientation concert at Brown Hall.

September 26 — This is a solo show as part of an NEC alumni event at the Third Street Settlement Music School in New York City. The school is at 235 East 11th Street (between 2nd & 3rd Avenues), and the show will be open to the public.

October 2 — Ran is expected to perform at a tribute concert at NEC honoring Jimmy Giuffre, a renowned composer, arranger and saxophonist who died last April.

Thanks for reading. You can reach Ran directly at ran@ranblake.com, and you can read back issues here.

We’ll see you at the end of September.
–Steve
Vol. 4, No.8