Ilya Blazh is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and educator, whose passion for music and  commitment to excellence are reflected in an impressive career spanning various continents. 

At the age of 5 Ilya began his musical studies on piano at the Jazz Music School n/a Kim  Nazaretov, and at the age of 7 he fell in love with drums and started taking drum lessons as well as  trumpet lessons. During his studies at the school Ilya was a part of an ensemble called “S.W.I.M. on air”  and “Kim Nazaretov Youth Big Band” both led by Andrey Machnev with whom they performed at  different competitions and festivals around the world, including Russia, Switzerland, Germany, Turkey,  Ukraine, Belarus, Serbia, Israel, and Argentina. During this time, Ilya has also won 8 international  competitions as a soloist, was a part of “East-West” European Jazz Orchestra led by Uwe Plath, and  formed his own group “Mirror Reality Jazz Quartet” with which he recorded 3 studio albums and toured  in Russia, Switzerland, and Netherlands. Additionally, Ilya became a scholar of the Mayor of Rostov-on Don, and the Governor of Rostov region. 

At the age of 16 Ilya graduated from Jazz Music School n/a Kim Nazaretov with honors and  moved to Netherlands to continue his studies at the Prince Claus Conservatory in Groningen, where he  was awarded with highest scholarship. There he had opportunities to study and play with Gene Jackson,  Matt Wilson, Don Braden, Joris Teepe, Kevin Hayes, Jonathan Kreisberg, Wayne Escoffery, and Joe  Magnarelli among others. He was a finalist at Swingin’ Groningen Contest, has performed with Nordpole  Orchestra on National TV, and played at numerous jazz clubs across Europe. 

A year later Ilya auditioned for Berklee College of Music, and after receiving a full-tuition  scholarship he decided to move to Boston. At Berklee, Ilya became a part of Berklee Concert Jazz  Orchestra, Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, Terence Blachard Xtet, and Global Jazz Institute; he has  studied privately with Ralph Peterson, Joe Lovano, Danilo Perez, Gregory Hutchinson, Terence  Blanchard, John Patitucci, Terri Lyne Carrington, and Kenny Werner; has played with Nicholas Payton,  George Garzone, Godwin Louis, Melissa Aldana, Jerry Bergonzi, and Dave Liebman among others;  performed at the “Toronto Jazz Festival”, “Monterey Jazz Festival”, “Siena Jazz Festival” and  “Novosibirsk Jazz Festival”; gave clinics at universities around the world; broadcasted for “WBGO Live  Checkout”; recorded 12 studio albums; was published at the “Boston Globe”, “Jazziz Magazine”, and “All  About Jazz” among others; and has played numerous concerts in different venues around New England,  including a 3 year-long weekly residence at Wally’s Jazz Club with Jason Palmer Quintet. 

Currently, Ilya lives in New York City where he performs professionally with various artists. He  holds a Master’s degree from Berklee College of Music where he serves on the faculty teaching  ensembles, private lessons, and percussion labs at the Day Sessions program. Additionally, Ilya works as  a manager at the Wally’s Jazz Club, and curates a weekly series called “Apprentice’s Night” where he  fostered a community in which students and older players perform together allowing younger  generation to learn from their elders in real-time on the bandstand.