Videos: Art Blakey Tour, the '60s

In the 1960s, drummer and Jazz Messengers leader Art Blakey shifted with the times and gave hard bop a more political, pan-nationalism feel.

The more the group toured, the more Blakey yearned to incorporate the rhythms and vibe of other cultures. Here are five clips that recently went up at YouTube illustrating Blakey's evolution: 

Here's 49 minutes of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in Tokyo...



Here's Blakey in Paris in 1963 with Cedar Walton on piano...



Here's Blakey in London with John Gilmore on tenor saxophone in 1964...



Here's Blakey in Paris in 1965...



And here's Blakey in Chateauvallon, France, with Jeremy Steig on flute, Stanley Clark on bass and Tony Williams on drums in 1972. Click on the link in the embed if it says “video unavailable"; you'll be taken to YouTube...