A self-taught pianist, Ran Blake’s interest in film soundtracks led to an appreciation of 20th-century composers such as Bartok, Debussy, and Prokofiev. After a stint at Bard College, Blake studied with composer-conductor Gunther Schuller, a proponent of Third Stream music, who encouraged the pianist's synthesis of jazz, classical, and ethnic folk musics. Although many of Blake’s recordings are solo, he has worked with singers such as Jeanne Lee, and saxophonists Anthony Braxton and Steve Lacy. Other notable projects include his work with the New England Conservatory Symphony Orchestra (on PORTFOLIO OF DOKTOR MABUSE), and a series of homages including 1981’s DUKE DREAMS (dedicated to Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn), and 1997’s UNMARKED VAN (dedicated to Sarah Vaughan).