Art Blakey

Bio:

This page created by: George Heid


Art Blakey, master of the drums, leader of the music. A native of Pittsburgh, went to New York in 1938 with pianist Mary Lou Williams. Later left Mary Lou to join Fletcher Henderson where he earned his wings, he was soon off to join the Billy Eckstine band along with Charlie Parker and Sarah Vaughan. After his stint with Mr. "B" Art went on to form the 17 Messengers which would develop over the years into the Jazz Messengers, which included some of the finest musicians that would influence the music; Clifford Brown, Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Etc.. Art would also perform as a sideman for some of the most important musicians in the business.

Art Blakey’s name has become synonymous with hard drive and pulsating excitement. He was a musician who believed that a jazz group should be a solid cohesive unit, not just "five guys blowing on the same changes." What made the Jazz Messengers different, was that the rhythm section did not just play time behind the horns, they backed up the horn section solidly and would set up the soloist, who in turn would listen and pick up cues that would be thrown his way.

Those press rolls, that sock cymbal, his imaginative ride, the cohesiveness and form of his solo’s, and most of all his ears; how he could listen to the band as a whole and as individuals. This is why any musician who came out of his school would always say that they never sounded as good they did when they had Art lighting that fire underneath them.

Member Since:

June 01, 2006

Members:

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

Influences:

Chick Webb
Charlie Parker
Big Sid Catlett
Cozy Cole

Sounds Like:

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1965, an Art Blakey Drum Solo .. ..

Record Label:

Blue Note