Michael Bland
| Michael Bland | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Michael Bland |
| Also known as | Michael B. (with The New Power Generation) |
| Born | March 14, 1969 |
| Origin | Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States |
| Genres | Rock, soul, funk, pop, electronica |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, producer |
| Instruments | Drums, percussion, piano |
| Years active | 1989–present |
| Associated acts | The New Power Generation, Madhouse, Soul Asylum, Paul Westerberg, Dr. Mambo's Combo, Nick Jonas |
Michael Bland (born March 14, 1969) is best known as a drummer for Prince starting in 1989. He was with Prince during The New Power Generation era and played with him live and on albums for seven years.
From 1995 to 1997, Bland, along with Sonny Thompson, recorded and played live with French pop star France Gall—they appear on one studio album and two live albums.
In 2010, Bland became a member of Nick Jonas and the Administration (a side project of Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers) along with other former members of The New Power Generation, bass player Sonny T. and keyboardist Tommy Barbarella.
Bland was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He graduated from Minneapolis South High School in 1987. He still lives in Minneapolis, but plays in Los Angeles as a session drummer for such artists as Mandy Moore, Clay Aiken, Backstreet Boys, and the Anchorman soundtrack.
He played with Prince from 1989 to 1996, Paul Westerberg in 1996, Chaka Khan in 1997, and Maxwell 1998–2000. In 1997, he auditioned as drummer for the new Guns N' Roses lineup, however Josh Freese was hired instead
In 2000, he played in the Minneapolis project of French reed player Michel Portal (the rest of the band was Tony Hymas, Sonny T., Vernon Reid and Jef Lee Johnson). With Jef Lee Johnson and Sonny T., Michael Bland created News from the Jungle, which recorded one album for Universal, also produced by Jean Rochard. Both bands, Michel Portal's and News from the Jungle, toured in France (Paris Olympia). Bland also played on several tracks of the Michel Portal album Birdwatcher in 2006.
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