I was assigned to build a very special guitar for the Montreal Guitar Show organizers back in 2010, and a few years later I get a call from Blake – he had won that guitar in a competition organized by the Montreal Jazz Festival. Once again – the stars were truly aligned right!
Blake Hawley is a guitarist and composer hailing from New England and is aggressively reshaping Montreal’s music scene. Winner of the 2015 Montreal Jazz Festival Guitar Competition and scholarship master student in McGill University’s jazz program, Hawley has been described as eccentric yet sensitive with a powerful stage presence that unites an audience.
Blake’s label, Mentality Music, features 5 Montreal based bands including Blake’s own band Gas Station Mentality.. Inspired by the likes of Steve Grover and Wayne Krantz, Hawley’s music is rooted in experimental jazz with a focus on rhythmic juxtaposition.
Blake has been performing with the Duke – see the spotlight article of the very special guitar here – since winning it from the Montreal Jazz Festival Guitar Competition in July of 2015. Keep and eye out for this up and coming guitar visionary.
"I'm loving the Duke. It has totally changed my playing!"
- Blake Hawley
