Art Blakey
Real Name:
Arthur Blakey (Abdullah Ibn Buhaina)
Profile:
Art Blakey (born October 11, 1919, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA - died October 16, 1990, New York City, New York, USA) was an American jazz drummer, composer and bandleader, best remembered as founder and 35 year leader of The Jazz Messengers.
Blakey was the foster son in a Seventh Day Adventist Family, learning the piano as he learned the Bible, mastering both at an early age. In the early 1930's, while gigging at the Democratic Club in Pittsburgh, Arts' piano career came to an abrupt end when he was ordered onto the drums to make way for pianist Erroll Garner. This incident was apparently at the gunpoint of the nightclubs' owner, as Blakey later on often recalled. This served as good fortune and young drummer Blakey came under the tutelage of legendary drummer and bandleader Chick Webb, serving as his valet. Returning to Pittsburgh in 1937, he formed his own band, backing pianist Mary Lou Williams. in 1939, he joined and toured with Fletcher Henderson for 3 years, followed by one year gigging at Bostons' Tic Toc club. Then as a member of Billy Eckstine's band, he played with the likes of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan. When Eckstein disbanded his group in 1947, Blakey organized the Seventeen Messengers, a rehearsal band and recorded with an octet called the Jazz Messengers, the first of his many groups bearing this name. In 1948, he visited Africa where he learned polyrhythmic drumming and was introduced to Islam, taking the name Abdullah Ibn Buhaina.
The early 1950's, saw him performing and broadcasting with such musicians as Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, and Horace Silver. Blakey and Silver connected and formed the Jazz Messengers. This band soon evolved into Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers with Blakey remaining the leader with changing personnel, playing together with them until his death. From 1947 until 1972 he also recorded regularly with Thelonious Monk.
Blakey was a major figure in modern jazz and an important stylist in drums. His contribution to jazz as a discoverer and molder of young talent over three decades cannot be overlooked.
Blakey was the foster son in a Seventh Day Adventist Family, learning the piano as he learned the Bible, mastering both at an early age. In the early 1930's, while gigging at the Democratic Club in Pittsburgh, Arts' piano career came to an abrupt end when he was ordered onto the drums to make way for pianist Erroll Garner. This incident was apparently at the gunpoint of the nightclubs' owner, as Blakey later on often recalled. This served as good fortune and young drummer Blakey came under the tutelage of legendary drummer and bandleader Chick Webb, serving as his valet. Returning to Pittsburgh in 1937, he formed his own band, backing pianist Mary Lou Williams. in 1939, he joined and toured with Fletcher Henderson for 3 years, followed by one year gigging at Bostons' Tic Toc club. Then as a member of Billy Eckstine's band, he played with the likes of Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan. When Eckstein disbanded his group in 1947, Blakey organized the Seventeen Messengers, a rehearsal band and recorded with an octet called the Jazz Messengers, the first of his many groups bearing this name. In 1948, he visited Africa where he learned polyrhythmic drumming and was introduced to Islam, taking the name Abdullah Ibn Buhaina.
The early 1950's, saw him performing and broadcasting with such musicians as Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, and Horace Silver. Blakey and Silver connected and formed the Jazz Messengers. This band soon evolved into Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers with Blakey remaining the leader with changing personnel, playing together with them until his death. From 1947 until 1972 he also recorded regularly with Thelonious Monk.
Blakey was a major figure in modern jazz and an important stylist in drums. His contribution to jazz as a discoverer and molder of young talent over three decades cannot be overlooked.
Sites:
artblakey.com, Wikipedia, drummerworld.com, britannica.com, arts.gov, scaruffi.com, imdb.com, jazzdisco.org, bluenote.com
Aliases:
In Groups:
Art Blakey & The Afro-Drum Ensemble,
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers,
Art Blakey And His Afro Cuban Boys,
Art Blakey Quartet,
Art Blakey Quintet,
Art Blakey's Band,
Art Blakey's Big Band,
Bennie Green Septet,
Billy Eckstine And His Orchestra,
Buddy DeFranco And His Trio,
Buddy DeFranco Quartet,
Clark Terry And His Orchestra,
Clifford Brown Sextet,
Coleman Hawkins Quintet,
Dexter Gordon Quintet,
Dizzy Gillespie Sextet,
East Coast All-Stars,
Elmo Hope Quintet,
Fats Navarro And His Band,
Fats Navarro Quartet,
Fats Navarro Quintet,
Gil Evans And His Orchestra,
Gil Fuller Orchestra,
Hank Mobley And His All Stars,
Hank Mobley Quartet,
Illinois Jacquet And His Orchestra,
James Moody And His Modernists,
Johnny Griffin Septet,
Julius Watkins Sextet,
Kenny Burrell Septet,
Kenny Dorham Nonet,
Kenny Dorham Octet,
Lee Morgan Quintet,
Lou Donaldson Quintet,
Lou Donaldson Sextet,
Miles Davis And His Band,
Miles Davis And His Cool Wailers,
Milton Jackson And His New Group,
Paul Bley Trio,
Quincy Jones' All Star Big Band,
Randy Weston Trio,
Sonny Rollins Quartet,
Sonny Rollins Quintet,
Sonny Stitt Band,
Sonny Stitt Quartet,
The Art Blakey Percussion Ensemble,
The Giants Of Jazz (2),
The Gigi Gryce Quartet,
The Hank Mobley Quintet,
The Horace Silver Trio,
The Kenny Drew Trio,
The Miles Davis Quartet,
The Miles Davis Sextet,
The Quincy Jones Big Band,
The Thelonious Monk Quintet,
Thelonious Monk Septet,
Thelonious Monk Sextet,
Thelonious Monk Trio,
Tina Brooks Quintet,
Walter Gil Fuller And His Orchestra,
Woody Shaw Quintet,
Zoot Sims Quartet
Variations:
Marketplace
49,424 For SaleImage | Title | Label | Catalog Number | Year | In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory | Actions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Albums |
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BLP 5034 |
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Horace Silver Trio* And Art Blakey | Horace Silver Trio* And Art Blakey - Vol. 2 (Album) | Blue Note | BLP 5034 | US | 1954 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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M 33.352 |
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Paul Bley, Charlie Mingus*, Art Blakey | Paul Bley, Charlie Mingus*, Art Blakey - Introducing Paul Bley (Album) | Debut Records | M 33.352 | France | 1954 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MG 26030 |
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Art Blakey | Blakey (Album, Comp) | EmArcy | MG 26030 | US | 1955 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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7029, PRLP 7029 |
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Sonny Rollins With The Modern Jazz Quartet Featuring Art Blakey And Kenny Drew | Sonny Rollins With The Modern Jazz Quartet Featuring Art Blakey And Kenny Drew - Sonny Rollins With The Modern Jazz Quartet (Comp, Album) | Prestige, Prestige | 7029, PRLP 7029 | US | 1956 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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RLP 12-227 |
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Randy Weston With Art Blakey | Randy Weston With Art Blakey - Trio And Solo (Album) | Riverside Records | RLP 12-227 | US | 1957 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1554, BLP 1554 |
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Art Blakey | Orgy In Rhythm (Volume One) (Album) | Blue Note, Blue Note | 1554, BLP 1554 | US | 1957 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BLP 1555 |
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Art Blakey | Orgy In Rhythm - Volume Two (Album) | Blue Note | BLP 1555 | US | 1957 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PFJ 5034 |
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Art Blakey With The Jazz Messengers, Benny Barth With The Mastersounds, Chico Hamilton With The Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Chatur Lal | Art Blakey With The Jazz Messengers, Benny Barth With The Mastersounds, Chico Hamilton With The Gerry Mulligan Quartet, Chatur Lal - Drums On Fire! (LP, Album) | World Pacific Records | PFJ 5034 | Japan | 1958 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BLP 4005 |
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Art Blakey | Holiday For Skins Vol. 2 (Album) | Blue Note | BLP 4005 | US | 1958 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BLP 4004 |
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Art Blakey | Holiday For Skins Vol. 1 (Album) | Blue Note | BLP 4004 | US | 1958 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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MG 12133, MG-12133 |
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Fats Navarro, Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon, Tadd Dameron, Eddie Davis* | Fats Navarro, Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon, Tadd Dameron, Eddie Davis* - Nostalgia (Fats Navarro Memorial No. 2) (Comp, Album) | Savoy Records, Savoy Records | MG 12133, MG-12133 | US | 1958 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1595, BST 1595 |
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Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones, Art Blakey | Cannonball Adderley, Miles Davis, Hank Jones, Sam Jones, Art Blakey - Somethin' Else (Album) | Blue Note, Blue Note | 1595, BST 1595 | US | 1959 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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RLP 334 |
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Bobby Timmons With Art Blakey, Blue Mitchell And Sam Jones | Bobby Timmons With Art Blakey, Blue Mitchell And Sam Jones - Soul Time (Album) | Riverside Records | RLP 334 | Netherlands | 1960 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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RL 52049, RL-52049 |
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Art Blakey, Charlie Persip, Elvin Jones, "Philly" Joe Jones | Art Blakey, Charlie Persip, Elvin Jones, "Philly" Joe Jones - Gretsch Drum Night At Birdland (Album) | Roulette | RL 52049, RL-52049 | Australia | 1960 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BLP 4021 |
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Kenny Burrell with Art Blakey | Kenny Burrell with Art Blakey - At The Five Spot Cafe (Album) | Blue Note | BLP 4021 | US | 1960 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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R-52067 |
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Art Blakey, Charlie Persip, Elvin Jones, "Philly" Joe Jones | Art Blakey, Charlie Persip, Elvin Jones, "Philly" Joe Jones - Gretsch Drum Night At Birdland Vol. 2 (Album) | Roulette | R-52067 | US | 1961 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BA 17017 |
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Art Blakey Featuring Bud Powell And Lee Morgan | Art Blakey Featuring Bud Powell And Lee Morgan - Blakey In Paris (Album) | Epic | BA 17017 | US | 1961 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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9003 S |
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Art Blakey | Theme From Golden Boy (LP, Album) | Colpix Records | 9003 S | France | 1963 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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210 012 LMY |
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Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Chet Baker | Art Blakey, Milt Jackson, Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Chet Baker - I/We Had A Ball (LP, Comp) | Mercury | 210 012 LMY | Netherlands | 1964 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BR 1053 C |
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Art Blakey | The Jazz Messengers At Club St. Germain (Album) | RCA Victor | BR 1053 C | Germany | 1964 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BX 4018, BX-4018 |
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Art Blakey | Art Blakey And His Driving Big Band (Album) | Bethlehem Records, Bethlehem Records | BX 4018, BX-4018 | US | 1965 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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210 000 LML |
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Art Blakey | 'S Make It (Album) | Mercury | 210 000 LML | Netherlands | 1965 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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LML 4012, 210 017 LML |
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Art Blakey | Soul Finger (Album) | Mercury, Mercury | LML 4012, 210 017 LML | UK | 1965 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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683 261 JCL |
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Art Blakey | Soul! (Album) | Fontana | 683 261 JCL | Netherlands | 1965 | Sell This Version | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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220 027 LMY |
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Art Blakey | My Romance (Album) | Mercury | 220 027 LMY | Netherlands | 1966 | Sell This Version |
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