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Art Blakey: Just Coolin'
Great moments play all over Just Coolin', the new archival Blue Note Art Blakey release from 1959, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder's studio with Lee Morgan, Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt. For a bit of history, let's just point out that Hank Mobley was returning to the tenor chair he held from 1951-56, but which had just recently (for back then) been occupied by Shorter, and before him Benny Golson. Not the slightest expectation here. And should there have been ...
read moreArt Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Just Coolin'
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a man or woman in possession of a good quantity of Art Blakey albums, must be in want of a lot more. Previously unreleased albums are particularly enticing. So do not be fooled by the Reid Miles-inspired cover of Just Coolin': the disc is previously unissued. It presents Blakey in his pomp fronting a dream-team Jazz Messengers lineup. AAJers do not need to be reminded that Blakey was at the ...
read moreThe Jazz Messengers in the 1960s (1960 - 1964)
As the 1960s began Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers were fueled by the compositions of Wayne Shorter with the front line of Shorter and Lee Morgan. In 1961, this transitioned to the last great Messengers lineup of the 1960s—and it was one of the best ever—Freddie Hubbard on trumpet, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Wayne Shorter on tenor, Cedar Walton on piano and Jymie Merritt on bass, propelled by compositions by Shorter, Fuller, Walton. The 1960s edition of the Jazz Messengers in ...
read moreOctober Birthdays Featuring Art Blakey & Anita O'Day Centennial Salutes
Indeed--October jazz birthdays. This week's show honoring the 90th birthday of Dan Morgenstern, as well as honoring the memory of Lorraine Gordon (who would have been 97 on Oct. 15th). Centennial salutes for Art Blakey, Anita O'Day and Babs Gonzales. Significant others include Zoot Sims, Clifford Brown, Dizzy Gillespie, Thelonious Monk, Illinois Jacquet, Norman Simmons, Roy Hargrove, Ed Blackwell, Lester Bowie, Art Tatum, Sweets Edison and Barney Kessel. Enjoy the show; you won't regret it. Blue Note 50th anniversaries for ...
read moreSons of the Jazz Messengers (1956 - 1964)
In 1956, with Horace Silver's departure, Art Blakey inherited the Jazz Messengers. Over the next five years, the Jazz Messengers took part in recording sessions that have resulted in almost 40 live and studio recordings. Also in this period, Blakey collaborated with players who became the stars of Hard Bop. In this hour, we will hear from just some of these players--trumpeters Kenny Dorham and Lee Morgan, pianist Bobby Timmons and tenor saxophonists Hank Mobley and Wayne Shorter. Other band ...
read more[email protected], Newk with Monk & More
Art Blakey turns 100 in October. He's too important to have to wait till then. So, we've got 3 more tracks from Bu as well as a 'pre-Bu' segment of tunes associated with or inspired by the great drummer. Our chronological Sonny Rollins celebration continues with a 4tet session with Monk @ the 88s. Along the way: Huntertones in the trees; Jamie Cullum in never never land; Booker Ervin & Ralph Peterson at full throttle; swing from Charlie Christian @ ...
read moreBoth of These Guys Are Not Like the Other
"You take the hot road and I'll take the cool road and . . . “ when you've got a podcast about polar opposites Art Blakey and Warne Marsh you just know some odd stuff is gonna happen. Like finding out that the masterminds behind Steely Dan produced one of Marsh's later efforts, or that Blakey's band was so prolific that Blue Note was releasing sessions years after putting them to tape. Or Pat's theories about Pink Floyd's power struggles ...
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