Art Blakey, born Arthur William Blakey on October 11, 1919, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader who is best known for his leadership of the Jazz Messengers, a group which he helmed for more than three decades. Blakey is often viewed as one of the pioneers of hard bop—a genre that melds elements of rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in saxophone and piano playing, with the bebop style. His career was characterized by his powerful style, infectious grooves, and the ability to nurture young talent.

Blakey's reputation in jazz circles was that of a formidable presence behind the drum kit, and an insightful mentor to numerous young musicians who would go on to become prominent figures in their own right. Notable alumni of the Jazz Messengers include Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and Wynton Marsalis. Throughout his prolific career, Art Blakey recorded dozens of albums as a bandleader and collaborator, leaving an indelible mark on the world of jazz with classics such as "Moanin'" and "A Night in Tunisia." He passed away on October 16, 1990, but his legacy continues through his monumental contributions to the language of jazz and the many recordings that continue to inspire musicians and jazz aficionados alike.

Genres

Bebop

Contemporary Post-bop

Hard Bop

Jazz

Jazz Drums

Related Artists

Wayne Shorter

Lee Morgan

John Coltrane

Miles Davis

Herbie Hancock

Thelonious Monk

Dizzy Gillespie

Horace Silver

Clifford Brown

Freddie Hubbard

Max Roach

Charlie Parker

Latest Release

On Riverside: Art Blakey

Art Blakey

Album - 15 Tracks - Released October 13, 2023