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Saxophonist and composer Ron Blake has built a career defined by taste, tone, and versatility—whether onstage with the Saturday Night Live Band or in the studio with jazz and pop luminaries. Two years after his acclaimed album Mistaken Identity, Blake returns with Scratch Band (2025), an album of deep grooves, intimate interplay, and heartfelt tributes. Joined by longtime friend and bassist Reuben Rogers and percussionist John Hadfield, Blake crafts a project rooted in connection, reflection, and Caribbean rhythm.

We spoke about the making of Scratch Band, the legacy of his late friend Roy Hargrove, and how music born from isolation found community at its core.

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Preston Frazier: Ron, congratulations on the new album. Scratch Band came out surprisingly soon after Mistaken Identity. How did it all come together?

Ron Blake: Thanks, Preston. Yeah, it’s wild—it came out just under two years after Mistaken Identity. That record was mostly done before the pandemic, but Scratch Band was born during it.

Reuben Rogers and I were both in New York, and everything had stopped except SNL, where I was still working. We wanted to play—just to play. A mutual friend, Andy Taub at Brooklyn Recording, let us use his studio safely. We went in January 2021 and recorded some duets just to document the moment. Listening back, we thought, “We should finish this.”

It was really organic. No concept or master plan—just making honest music during a time when expression felt vital. Later that year, in September, we brought in percussionist John Hadfield, whose global rhythmic approach blended perfectly with our Caribbean roots. Those two sessions—January and September 2021—became Scratch Band.

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Preston: You’ve said you didn’t have a plan, but the album feels cohesive. Did you separate originals and covers between the two sessions?

Ron Blake: Not intentionally. The duets included a few originals—like “Grace Ann,” which was also on Mistaken Identity—and tunes like “Body and Soul” and Roy Hargrove’s “Another Level.” Roy was supposed to appear on Mistaken Identity before he passed. Including one of his pieces was my way of honoring him.

By the September trio session, we leaned into material that felt like home—originals I’d written years ago, and songs with personal ties.

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Preston: One of those older tunes is “April Fool.”

Ron Blake: Yeah, that one goes way back—to my Chicago days in the late ’80s. I wrote it while studying with trumpet player Stephen Schmidt. Roy Hargrove recorded it on Tenors of Our Time, his first Verve album, alongside legends like Branford Marsalis, Stanley Turrentine, Joe Henderson, and Johnny Griffin.

Roy placed “April Fool” as the closing track on Tenors of Our Time, so I did the same here as a tribute. There’s symmetry to that choice.

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Preston: And “The Appointment”?

Ron Blake: That’s from my time with Dion Parson and the 21st Century Band, a Caribbean jazz group we co-founded over 25 years ago. It first appeared on our debut album. Reuben and I have played it for years—it’s part of our shared vocabulary.

When we started recording Scratch Band, it just made sense to revisit material we knew well. Familiar tunes gave us the freedom to explore sound and chemistry without overthinking.

Preston: Let’s talk about “Bassman.” It’s such a strong opener.

Ron Blake: “Bassman” is a Calypso classic by The Mighty Shadow from Trinidad and Tobago. I first saw him perform it as a kid in St. Thomas—he came out onstage dressed all in black with a skeleton painted on his clothes, just bouncing to the groove. I was mesmerized.

That memory stuck with me. For Scratch Band, I wanted to reinterpret it as a sax-bass-drums trio piece. I played the melody on baritone sax—it’s the perfect way to start the album.

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Preston: The album closes with “April Fool.” I love that bookend. But before we leave the middle, tell me about “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Ron Blake: That was Reuben’s idea. We recorded it in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy and all the social unrest that followed. He felt it was a fitting statement—one of pride, resilience, and unity.

Reuben’s bass carries the melody for almost three minutes before I enter. It’s simple, powerful, and deeply moving. That one felt especially organic.

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Preston: Another surprise is “La Conga de Juana.”

Ron Blake: It’s by Cuban songwriter Kelvis Ochoa. I first heard it years ago while performing at the Brooklyn Academy of Music for a celebration of Cuban music. The melody stayed with me—it’s so honest and beautiful. Like “Bassman,” it’s a song I knew I’d record someday.

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Preston: You play tenor, soprano, and baritone across the record. The variety of tone is fantastic.

Ron Blake: Thanks. Honestly, it wasn’t planned, but more than half of Scratch Band ended up on baritone sax. After years of playing bari at SNL and in Yerba Buena, I’ve really enjoyed finding my voice on that horn in a more intimate context.

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Preston: Andy Taub recorded this one too, right?

Ron Blake: Yes—same studio, Brooklyn Recording. Andy’s great. I co-produced it with him. It’s streaming everywhere now, and I’m working on a vinyl release—just for you vinyl lovers! (laughs)

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Preston: Before we wrap, what’s the story behind the title Scratch Band?

Ron Blake: Growing up in the Virgin Islands, “scratch bands” were local groups that played folk and protest music—songs that told community stories or spoke against injustice.

After naming the record, I realized how fitting it was. This project pays tribute to Roy Hargrove, to my Caribbean heritage, and to the idea of music as storytelling. It’s my own scratch band—personal, honest, and rooted in home.

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Preston: Are there plans to perform Scratch Band live?

Ron Blake: We’ve already done a few dates—Dizzy’s in New York, Jimmy’s in Portsmouth, and a private event in Massachusetts. I’m hoping to line up more shows in the U.S. next spring, once my Juilliard schedule and SNL season wrap up. Wherever they’ll have us, we’ll play!

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Preston: Ron, thank you again for your time. Scratch Band is a beautiful, heartfelt album—nine excellent tracks that feel both intimate and expansive.

Ron Blake: Thanks, Preston. Always a pleasure talking with you. I appreciate the support—and yes, I’ll get that vinyl to you soon!

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Ron Blake’s Scratch Band (featuring Reuben Rogers and John Hadfield) is available now on all streaming platforms and Bandcamp.

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