The Magical Healing of Art Blakey Art Blakey, a legendary jazz drummer, had a profound impact on the world of music during his lifetime. However, beyond his musical talents, he possessed a unique ability to heal through his art. Through the rhythms and melodies he created, Blakey had the power to uplift spirits, ease pain, and ignite joy in the hearts of those who listened to his music. Blakey's healing abilities were most evident during live performances. When he took the stage, his vibrant energy resonated with the audience, creating an atmosphere of catharsis and release. Every beat of his drum carried with it a healing touch, transporting listeners to a place where their worries and troubles faded away.
Art Blakey was inducted into the Downbeat Jazz Hall of Fame (1981), the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame (1991), the Grammy Hall of Fame (1998 and 2001) and was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 2005. He was sampled and remixed by renowned acts such as Raekwon, Black Eyed Peas, A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Buscemi, KRS -One and Madlib.
Art Blakey 1919 1990 actually needs little introduction, the American Jazz drummer and bandleader made a name for himself in the 1940s 1950s playing with contemporaries such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Expect supercharged hard bop with striking notes, no-holds-barred musicianship, high swinging solos, screaming choruses and plenty of solid virtuosity to spare.
Every beat of his drum carried with it a healing touch, transporting listeners to a place where their worries and troubles faded away. Whether it was the infectious swing of his Hi-Hat or the thundering rolls on his snare drum, Blakey's music had a transformative effect on all who experienced it. The healing power of Art Blakey's music extended beyond the concert hall.
The Magical Healing of Art Blakey
Art Blakey (1919–1990) actually needs little introduction, the American Jazz drummer and bandleader made a name for himself in the 1940s & 1950s playing with contemporaries such as Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He is often considered to have been Thelonious Monk’s most empathetic drummer (he played on both Monk’s first recording session in 1947 and his final one in 1971). In the decades that followed Blakey recorded for all THE labels that mattered in the field of jazz (Columbia, Blue Note, Atlantic, RCA , Impulse!, Riverside, Prestige, Verve, etc.). His collaborations were numerous and include working with equally legendary artists such as Sonny Rollins, Max Roach, Chet Baker, John Coltrane….and countless others.
Art Blakey was a major figure and a pioneer for modern jazz, he assumed an aggressive swing drumming style early on in his career and is known as one of the inventors of the modern bebop style of drumming. His signature polyrhythmic style was amazing, exuding power and originality, creating a dark cymbal sound punctuated by frequent loud snare and bass drum accents in triplets or cross-rhythms. A loud and domineering drummer…but Blakey also listened and responded to the others in the band. He was an original, an important drummer you’d hear…and would recognize immediately.
Art Blakey was inducted into the Downbeat Jazz Hall of Fame (1981), the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame (1991), the Grammy Hall of Fame (1998 and 2001) and was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award posthumously in 2005. He was sampled and remixed by renowned acts such as Raekwon, Black Eyed Peas, A Tribe Called Quest, Digable Planets, Buscemi, KRS -One and Madlib.
In the mid-1950s he and Horace Silver formed ‘The Jazz Messengers’: a group that Blakey would perform and record with for the next 35 years. Originally formed as a collective of contemporaries…but over the years the band became known as an incubator for young talent that included artists such as Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walton, Chuck Mangione, John Hicks…and MANY others. Art Blakey went on to record dozens of albums with a constantly changing group of Jazz Messengers. Blakey’s final performances were in July 1990. He died on October 16 of lung cancer. The legacy of Art Blakey and his band is not only the music they produced, but also the opportunities they provided for several generations of jazz musicians.
On the album we are presenting you today, you’ll find the eight sublime tracks recorded by renowned engineer Elvin Campbell at the CI Recording Studios (New York) in December 1977 that became known as the “In My Prime” sessions. These recordings were originally released on the legendary Dutch jazz label Timeless Records (and produced by its owner Wim Wigt) as two separate albums named Vol.1 & Vol.2.
As the leader of The Jazz Messengers (for over 22 years at the time of these recordings), drummer Art Blakey was still discovering new talent. In addition to altoist Bobby Watson (John Hicks, Charles Mingus), trumpeter Valery Ponomarev (Blue Note), bassist Dennis Irwin (Art Farmer), percussionist Ray Mantilla (Herbie Mann, Max Roach), Curtis Fuller (Quincy Jones, John Coltrane) on trombone and David Schnitter (Freddie Hubbard, Charles Earland) on tenor, this particular session also introduced the great pianist James Williams (Donald Byrd, Dizzy Gillespie) to the fold.
Despite the changes in musical fashions taking place at that particular period, Blakey and his hard-bop institution kept turning out new material and solos in the late 70s that still sound fresh, vibrant and alive today. The album showcases the Messengers’ energetic signature sound with remarkable style, musical knowledge, a dash of good humor and camaraderie you’d expect from a world class band and its leader. Expect supercharged hard bop with striking notes, no-holds-barred musicianship, high swinging solos, screaming choruses and plenty of solid virtuosity to spare. This release is not only a classic but also a bonafide hit and a must have for any self-respecting jazz fan or collector.
Tidal Waves Music now proudly presents the much-needed vinyl reissue of “Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers “In My Prime” which contains the complete NYC sessions recorded at the CI Recording Studios (New York) on December 29, 1977.
This unique album comes as a deluxe 180g DOUBLE vinyl edition (strictly limited to 2500 copies worldwide) with obi strip and is packaged in a gatefold jacket featuring the original artworks and session shots from Mark Bug Zester, Don Diesveld & Hans Harzheim (known for their work with artists such as Sun Ra, Chet Baker and Pharoah Sanders). To top it all off, this release also includes the original liner notes written by renowned author and producer Chip Stern (Ginger Baker, Thelonious Monk and Miles Davis). Released exclusively for Record Store Day 2022 and available in participating stores on June 18, 2022.
And they’ve got these eighteen–and twenty–piece jazz bands in there. I think this is very wrong, because if the blind lead the blind they all fall in the ditch. They have to have musicians out there in the field—artists in residence, to play there and teach those kids. As it’s going now in the States—Florida University, Indiana, all the places we play out there—they’re going to get tired of it, and there won’t be no interest, because the kids know that the teachers don’t know what they’re talking about.
His recordings served as a source of solace and inspiration for countless individuals facing adversity. In times of sadness or grief, his music provided a safe space for listeners to process their emotions and find comfort. The rhythmic complexity of his compositions allowed individuals to get lost in the music, finding a respite from the challenges of everyday life. Moreover, Blakey's music had the power to unite people from all walks of life. In a world often divided by barriers of race, class, and culture, his music acted as a common language that brought people together. Through his art, Blakey fostered a sense of community and understanding among his listeners, breaking down the walls that divided them. Art Blakey's magical healing abilities were not only limited to his music but also extended to his role as a mentor. Throughout his career, he led several influential jazz ensembles, nurturing young talent and guiding them towards their own artistic paths. By instilling in them a passion for music, Blakey not only provided healing for himself but also created a ripple effect of healing in the world. In conclusion, Art Blakey possessed a unique and magical healing ability through his art. Whether it was through his live performances, recordings, or mentorship, his music had the power to uplift spirits, ease pain, and ignite joy. His legacy continues to inspire and heal, reminding us of the transformative power of music in our lives..
Reviews for "The Resilience of Art Blakey: Healing through Music"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I found "The Magical Healing of Art Blakey" to be quite unimpressive. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style was also clunky and hard to follow at times. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. John - 1 star - I honestly can't understand why anyone would enjoy "The Magical Healing of Art Blakey". The plot was extremely predictable and the dialogue was cringeworthy. I felt no emotional connection to the characters and found the whole story to be a waste of time. Save yourself the trouble and skip this book.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Magical Healing of Art Blakey" but was ultimately let down. The pacing was incredibly slow and the story seemed to drag on forever. I also felt that the author didn't fully explore the potential of the magical elements in the plot, leaving the reader unsatisfied. While there were some interesting moments, overall, I was not impressed with this book.
4. Michael - 1 star - This book was a complete bore. The characters were uninteresting and the plot was shallow and unoriginal. I was constantly waiting for something exciting to happen, but it never did. The writing itself was also lackluster, with no moments of brilliance to redeem the story. I would not recommend "The Magical Healing of Art Blakey" to anyone.