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Art Blakey And His Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers Strasbourg 82
by Jack Kenny
This album captures a special concert and a pivotal moment in the history of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. It documents the re--formation of the band following the departure of trumpet player Wynton Marsalisand saxophonist Branford Marsalis. The new recruits--trumpeter Terence Blanchard and alto saxophonist Donald Harrison--were eager to prove their abilities, injecting the band with palpable energy. As was his custom, Blakey, the veteran bandleader, played with the fire and intensity of a musician just starting out. The ...
Continue ReadingRalph Peterson & the Messenger Legacy: Onward & Upward
by Paul Rauch
Generally speaking, legacy bands are created to preserve the music of an artist. They feature innovative interpretations of an artist's compositions or past performances to share with future generations of listeners. In the case of drummer Ralph Peterson, his ambitious efforts to honor the continuum of his mentor Art Blakey are forward thinking, about a collective gathering of resources that stress creative thought and individuality. Just as the true legacy of the Jazz Messengers portends, contributors are charged with replenishing ...
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