BLOW, John (1649-1708). English musician. 1657-1662: Choirboy of the Chapel Royal under Henry Cooke. 1661-1666: Pupil of Christopher Gibbons. 1664-79: Organist of Westminster Abbey. 1669-unk.: Musician on the virginalls to Charles II, replaced Giles Tompkins. 1674-1708: Gentleman of the Chappel Royal. 1674-1708: Master of the Children of the Chappel Royal as successor to Pelham Humfrey. 167(?)-168(?): Organist of the Chapel Royal. 1677: DMus (Cambridge). 1682-1685: Organists of the Chappel Royal with Purcell. 1685-1686: Musician in Ordinary for the Private Musick. 1687-1703: Almoner and Master of the Choristers of St Paul's Cathedral. 1689-1696: Composer in the Private Musick. 1695-1708: Organist of Westminster Abbey. 1695-1708:"Tuner of the regalls, organs, virginalls' etc.", with 'Father' Smith. 1699-1708: First Composer in Ordinary to the Chappel Royal.



A picture of Dr. Blow shews the typical English Gentleman of the period in full wig and with considerably more than one chin; presumably just as he would be found at his favourite ale-house with his companions of a night.  A friend and co-conspirator with Purcell in the creation of music,  his were the more mundane creations, as would anyone's be typified, compared to Purcell's genius.