James Blades OBE (9 September 1901 – 19 May 1999) was an English percussionist.He was one of the most distinguished percussionists in Western music, with a long and varied career. His book Percussion Instruments and their History (1971) is a standard reference work on the subject.Blades was born in Peterborough in 1901. He was a long-time associate of Benjamin Britten, with whom he conceived many of the composer's unusual percussion effects. In 1954, Blades was appointed Professor of Percussion at the Royal Academy of Music.
As a chamber musician he played with the Melos Ensemble and the English Chamber Orchestra.
Blades' pupils included the rock drummers Max Sedgley, Carl Palmer, and Richard James Burgess as well as percussionist Evelyn Glennie.
His most famous and widely heard performances were the sound of the drum playing "V-for-Victory" in Morse code, the introduction to the BBC broadcasts made to the European Resistance during World War II, and providing the sound of the gong seen at the start of films produced by the Rank Organisation. Blades played this sound on a tam-tam. On screen Blades's sound was mimed to by the "Gongman".
His autobiography Drum Roll: A Professional Adventure from the Circus to the Concert Hall was published by Faber & Faber in 1977.
Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.
Some of their strengths
James Blades has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Sophisticated, Smart, Passionate, Bold, Confident, Energetic, and Extroverted.
Smart and Sophisticated
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, James Blades is someone who is a smart, sophisticated, and organized person who displays kindness and grace in every day interactions, and who also has a passionate soul. A person who looks for jobs that tend to reflect their identity.
Active and Precise
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know James Blades well know them as someone who can be tough, active, and sharp, like a sword.
Imaginative and Sentimental
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe James Blades as someone who is imaginative, sentimental, and in touch with emotions.
A person who has extremely good memory and analytical skills, likes to make sure that everyone gets along, enjoys all kinds of situations and people, has a talent for travel and languages, and who makes lifelong friends.
Intelligent and Leadership-oriented
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, James Blades is someone who is able to see things that others don't, and who can be an effective guide or mentor to others.
They are also someone who is patient, assertive, and who is a natural leader that likes to help others in need.
Altruistic and Purposeful
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, James Blades tends to be someone who has a desire to be of service to a higher calling and who is always trying to perfect things. Who can be practical and polished, reserved and methodical, and who tends to trust internal judgment before trusting anyone else at face value.
Some of James Blades's challenges
While James Blades has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, James Blades can be Difficult, Perfectionist, Arrogant, Status-seeking, Irritable, Moody, and Unemotional.
Difficult and Perfectionist
One of James Blades's key challenges is that they are someone who can be difficult and too much of a perfectionist.
Irritable and Moody
James Blades is someone who can be irritable and moody, have a tendency to experience self-doubt, be too secretive, can take too many risks, and who can have an extreme approach to managing personal finances.
Critical and Bossy
Finally, James Blades also can be too focused on the small details of life, try to control whatever is happening, and be finicky and demanding.
