Few groups shaped modern jazz like Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Formed in the 1950s, the Messengers became the heartbeat of hard bop—soulful, blues-driven, always swinging. Blakey’s thunderous ...

Although they were somewhat late to the vinyl renaissance game, Craft Records has made up for lost time by tapping a wide range of music. From the Latin strains of Fania Records to the so-called acid ...

The bassist’s reissued ‘Mingus at Monterey’ and the drummer’s previously unreleased ‘Strasbourg 82’ highlight both musicians ...

WILLIAMSTOWN — George Cables remembers the night of his first gig with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. It was 1969 and the 24-year-old piano player had just joined the group at the recommendation of ...

Blakey led his band for almost 40 years, making many classic records with top musicians. Just Coolin', a newly unearthed 1959 recorded studio session, showcases his stylistic precision. This is FRESH ...

We start our salute to Art Blakey with a recording he made in 1955, when he was co-leader of the band Horace Silver and The Jazz Messengers. Pianist Silver wrote "The Preacher," and the band was ...

Looking back on his time as a member of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Javon Jackson can say, "It's still probably the most incredible period of my life." The celebrated tenor saxophonist joined the ...

Music enthusiasts in Elgin are in for a treat as The Guest List, a talented jazz ensemble, will perform “A Tribute to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers” on Sunday, March 23. The performance will be ...

Back in 2018, when jazz fans heard that a previously unreleased John Coltrane album was set to come out, they immediately zeroed in on the date. Not just a powerhouse drummer — known for his driving ...

Jazz drummer Art Blakey brought a propulsive, irresistible swing to his playing, an intensity that drove his ensembles like dry leaves before the wild hurricane. “He was a volcano,” said Gordon ...

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers' Free for All was recorded in February 1964 and released in July 1965. Only four tracks were recorded, two per side. And yet the album is one of the hard-bop sextet's ...