Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Art Blakey

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Art Blakey

ASIN: B000050I3M

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Very few drummers or bandleaders have had the impact on jazz that Art Blakey did, using his explosive playing to drive the whole hard-bop movement and his extraordinary series of bands called the Jazz Messengers. Throughout his career, Blakey was a tireless advocate of the enduring values of bop, and he created a forum in which younger talents could flourish. There are some classic versions of bop standards here, like Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia," heard in a brilliant 1960 version, and Thelonious Monk's "Evidence," with Monk at the piano on a 1957 recording. There are also tunes by Blakey sidemen that would become standards themselves: pianist Bobby Timmons's "Moanin'" and Benny Golson's "Blues March," among them. In its peak years--the late 1950s and early '60s--the Messengers were a launching pad for brilliant players like trumpeters Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. In its later versions, the Messengers even spurred the careers of younger traditionalists, including Wynton Marsalis. --Stuart Broomer

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Art Blakey,Art Blakey,Polygram Records,Hard Bop,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop

Average customer rating:

Superb Collection

Solid Rock

The Godfather Of Hard Bop

Brilliant introduction to a jazz giant

A good introduction to a jazz great

Ken Burns JAZZ Collection: Art Blakey
Art Blakey
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Hard Bop | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000050I3M
Release Date: 2000-11-07

Tracks:

Confirmation
Doodlin'
Evidence
Moanin'
Blues March
A Night In Tunisia
Free For All
When Love Is New
Ms. B.C.

Amazon.com

Very few drummers or bandleaders have had the impact on jazz that Art Blakey did, using his explosive playing to drive the whole hard-bop movement and his extraordinary series of bands called the Jazz Messengers. Throughout his career, Blakey was a tireless advocate of the enduring values of bop, and he created a forum in which younger talents could flourish. There are some classic versions of bop standards here, like Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia," heard in a brilliant 1960 version, and Thelonious Monk's "Evidence," with Monk at the piano on a 1957 recording. There are also tunes by Blakey sidemen that would become standards themselves: pianist Bobby Timmons's "Moanin'" and Benny Golson's "Blues March," among them. In its peak years--the late 1950s and early '60s--the Messengers were a launching pad for brilliant players like trumpeters Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard and saxophonist Wayne Shorter. In its later versions, the Messengers even spurred the careers of younger traditionalists, including Wynton Marsalis. --Stuart Broomer

Customer Reviews:

Superb Collection.......2005-11-05

Yet another winner from the Ken Burns compilation series. Art Blakey's reputation as a master who constantly challenged himself and the young musicians whom he mentored is well-documented here. Songs like "Confirmation" and "Ms. B.C." smoke like fire on top of the burning rhythms he supplies. The disk also does a good job of capturing his more loose-limbed, relaxed side, on tracks like "Doodlin," and "Moanin'". Wayne Shorter, Horace Silver, Freddie Hubbard and even Wynton Marsalis appear here, all alumni of Blakey's Jazz Messengers, as does Thelonius Monk, on his own composition "Evidence." Like Miles Davis, Blakey had a knack for finding talent and developing them, so this disk makes for some very rewarding listening as his changing cast of characters push him to discover new ground, or relax and swing easy. A Tom Ryan

Solid Rock.......2003-07-17

If you are new to Art Blakey, there couldn't be a better place to start. This is indubitably my favorite installment of the Ken Burns Jazz series, with Charlie Parker being a close runner up. On top of that, this disc presents a very eclectic view of Art Blakey, from his slower numbers to the raging "Night In Tunisia" which is Blakey's best version and has become my favorite piece of jazz music of all time.

Blakey was the greatest hard bop drummer of all time, and "A Night in Tunisia" proves it. One cannot believe that a single man is producing so much rhythm simultaneously. Blakey always chose the best pickings from the pool of musicians who were on the scene, and I think he rivals Miles in his band leadership. The tightness is sometimes frightening.

But see for yourself, because you wont believe it.

The Godfather Of Hard Bop.......2003-03-25

Given the many albums Art Blakey recorded over his long career,Ken Burns chose tracks from his best period-1954-64.During this decade,Art and the Messengers recorded at least 4 albums per year on the average.Such works included legendary albums such as Moanin',Free For All,A Night In Tunisia and Live At Birdland which are all represented here as is the lone cut from the later years,MS.B.C.which featured a young Wynton Marsalis.It is well known that the Messengers were a breeding ground for young talent.The list includes Clifford Brown,Lee Morgan,Bobby Timmons,Freddie Hubbard and the legendary Wayne Shorter,all of whom appear on this collection.Also noteworthy is the track "Evidence" that features Thelonious Monk in a rare sideman role.This is an ideal disc for those who want to discover this drumming legend as well as completists.The others I mentioned above are also well worth getting.

Brilliant introduction to a jazz giant.......2001-07-07

This album is a great introduction to the genius of Art Blakey. I knew very little about Art Blakey before I purchased this cd, and it sure has left me wanting to hear more. 9 great tracks covering the years 1954 to 1981 is certainly not enough, but understandably, not much more could be put onto a single cd. The tracks are all pretty long, ranging from 6 minutes to over 11 minutes. But what tracks they are! Plus, Blakey is joined by a veritable who's who of other jazz greats. The booklet contains a very informative essay on Blakey...wow, he was a husband and father at age 15, amazing! This album should belong in any jazz fans collection.

A good introduction to a jazz great.......2001-06-24

When I first purchased this album a couple months ago, I knew very little about Art Blakey, or jazz in general. However, this album has really catapulted me into this great genre of music. In general, the album gives a wide view of Blakey's various pieces. "Moanin'" and "A Night in Tunisia" instantly became my personal favorites. However, his later Messengers, featuring Wynton Marsalis, are given very little disc space. I strongly, strongly recommend this album to any jazz enthusiast.

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