MICHAEL BLAND was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1969, and is best known as the drummer for Prince’s New Power Generation from 1989 to 1996.

His career as both a touring and session drummer has included work for pop artists such as Mandy Moore, Clay Aiken, Backstreet Boys, Miley Cyrus, and French pop star France Gall, as well as stints with and jazz legend George Benson and R&B royalty including Mavis Staples in 1993, Chaka Khan in 1997, and Maxwell from 1998 to 2000. Bland has also performed with Paul Westerberg, The Dixie Chicks, David Crosby, Jonny Lang and has been a member of Soul Asylum, touring and recording since 2006.

In 2000, he played in the “Minneapolis” project of French reed player Michel Portal alongside Tony Hymas, Sonny T. (also formerly of Prince’s New Power Generation), Vernon Reid and Jef Lee Johnson, and appears on Portal’s “Birdwatcher” (2006).

With Jef Lee Johnson and Sonny T., Michael Bland created News from the Jungle, which recorded one album for Universal Records. The trio also collaborated on the gospel-funk project Sons of Almighty recording two albums with the addition of New Power Generation keyboardist Tommy Barbarella and vocalist Julius Collins III.

Bland produced and played on the debut release from his protégé, Mayda, “the Stereotype EP” (2007), as well as her album, “The Interrogation” (2009).

Also in 2009, Bland became a part of Nick Jonas and The Administration, along with ex-Prince bandmates, Sonny T. and Tommy Barbarella. This led to several TV performances with the group, an album, and a tour in early 2010.

REUNITED

Bland reunited with Prince and Sonny T. for the title track of Prince's “3121” (2006), as well as songs from “Planet Earth” (2007), and “Lotusflow3r” (2009). The trio blew audiences away with their performance of Prince’s “Dreamer” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno before playing a secret show at LA’s Congo Room in 2009.

RECENT WORK

In addition to his ongoing work with Soul Asylum, Bland has recently recorded and performed with artists such as Vulfpeck, and Cory Wong. And in 2024 he released the track “(BR)OTHER” as a duet with longtime musical collaborator, Sonny T., on Hygh Tension Records.

REVELATION

Revelation (formerly 2gether) was formed by Michael Bland in 2024, and is a project honoring the Minneapolis sound, performed by those who shaped it. This is a rare opportunity for audiences to hear their favorites songs performed by the musicians who played on the original recordings. They will be touring throughout 2025 and 2026.