Articles

Daily articles carefully curated by the All About Jazz staff. Read our popular and future articles.

BOOK REVIEW June 26, 2020

Kick It: A Social History Of The Drum Kit

Kick It: A Social History Of The Drum Kit Matt Brennan 371 Pages ISBN: #978-0-19-068387-0 Oxford University Press 2020 Matt Brennan's Kick It: A Social History Of The Drum Kit is a complex, meticulously researched piece of work that spans several centuries. In the course of over three hundred pages, Brennan explores the evolution of the design and construction of drum kits and their influence on various kinds of music. He unpacks ...

ALBUM REVIEW April 14, 2020

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Just Coolin'

By Mike Jurkovic

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 ...

ALBUM REVIEW April 3, 2020

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Just Coolin'

By Chris May

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 ...

RADIO November 19, 2019

The Jazz Messengers in the 1960s (1960 - 1964)

By Russell Perry

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 ...

RADIO November 1, 2019

October Birthdays Featuring Art Blakey & Anita O'Day Centennial Salutes

By Marc Cohn

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 ...

RADIO July 2, 2019

Sons of the Jazz Messengers (1956 - 1964)

By Russell Perry

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 ...

RADIO June 13, 2019

[email protected], Newk with Monk & More

By Marc Cohn

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 @ ...