Day 3: "Art Blakey!!!!! Jazz Messengers!!!!!" -Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

The importance of swing

Album Art via The National Museum of African American History and Culture

Note: All hyperlinked songs go to Spotify links, Youtube links can be found at the end of the post.

The amount of jazz music I listen to has been waning in the last few years. Art Blakey!!!!! Jazz Messengers!!!!! reminds me of what I love about the genre.

Sometimes you’ve got to swing. It’s that simple.

The record features mostly standards that have tight arrangements and beautiful harmonies. Nothing feels overly complicated, but the organization of parts is something I love. The band is together, there is no room for errors, or the listener will catch it. They are a unit creating a story through the melodies, backgrounds, and solos. To anyone reading who wants to listen to more jazz or start exploring the genre, I would recommend checking this album out. It might not be the most traditional place to start, and I’m sure jazz purists would recommend something else, but I’m a big believer in listening to music that feels fun. Music that can draw you in with energy and emotion, which is what this album did for me.

This iteration of the Messengers is expanded to a sextet featuring Lee Morgan (trumpet), Curtis Fuller (trombone), Wayne Shorter (Tenor), Jimmy Merritt (bass), Bobby Timmons (piano), and the one and only Art Blakey (drums). Soon after the release of this record Morgan and Timmons would be replaced by Cedar Walton (piano) and Freddie Hubbard (trumpet).

A short and sweet 38-minute runtime with a thoughtfully curated setlist made this an incredibly enjoyable listen. The opening track, “Alamode,” written by Curtis Fuller is an attention grabber. The tune starts with a locked-in rhythm section that keeps the energy up throughout the tune. A young Wanye Shorter takes the first solo and sounds melodic as he navigates the changes. The rest of the tracks offer a nice range of mid-tempo and ballads. I do wish the last slot would’ve featured a faster tune, perhaps switching “I Hear a Rhapsody” and “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good To You.”

Overall, this was a great listen on a rainy Sunday. I’ll be coming back to this record with fresh ears to pick apart the details.

Until tomorrow,

Emily

Listen to Art Blakey!!!!! Jazz Messengers!!!!!