Art Blakey, also known as "The Witch Doctor," was a highly influential American jazz drummer and bandleader. Born on October 11, 1919, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Blakey's career spanned several decades, and he is considered one of the great figures in the history of jazz. Blakey's nickname, "The Witch Doctor," was given to him due to his unique and powerful style of drumming. Known for his thunderous and energetic playing, Blakey's rhythmic innovations had a profound impact on jazz music. His playing style was often characterized by his ability to create a driving and propulsive beat, which propelled his bands to new heights. In addition to his exceptional drumming skills, Blakey was also a skilled bandleader.
In 1983, Scott Cunningham was diagnosed with lymphoma, which he successfully battled. In 1990, while on a speaking tour in Massachusetts, he suddenly fell ill and was diagnosed with AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis. He suffered from several infections and died in March 1993. He was 36.
During this period he had as a roommate magical author Donald Michael Kraig and often socialized with witchcraft author Raymond Buckland, who was also living in San Diego at the time. It is a book of sense and common sense, not only about magick, but about religion and one of the most critical issues of today how to achieve the much needed and wholesome relationship with our Earth.
In addition to his exceptional drumming skills, Blakey was also a skilled bandleader. He formed the Jazz Messengers, a collective of young and talented musicians who would go on to become some of the most important figures in jazz. The Jazz Messengers served as a platform for showcasing Blakey's powerful drumming, as well as a training ground for young musicians.
Wicca: A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner
Cunningham's classic introduction to Wicca is about how to live life magically, spiritually, and wholly attuned with nature. It is a book of sense and common sense, not only about magick, but about religion and one of the most critical issues of today: how to achieve the much needed and wholesome relationship with our Earth. Cunningham presents Wicca as it is today: a gentle, Earth-oriented religion dedicated to the Goddess and God. Wicca also includes Scott Cunningham's own Book of Shadows and updated appendices of periodicals and occult suppliers.
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Genres WiccaNonfictionWitchcraftSpiritualityReligionPaganismOccult
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1988
Book details & editions Loading interface. Loading interface.About the author
Scott Cunningham
144 books 1,180 followersScott Douglas Cunningham was the author of dozens of popular books on Wicca and various other alternative religious subjects. Today the name Cunningham is synonymous with natural magic and the magical community. He is recognized today as one of the most influential and revolutionary authors in the field of natural magic.
Scott Cunningham was born at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, USA, the second son of Chester Grant Cunningham and Rose Marie Wilhoit Cunningham.
The Cunningham family moved to San Diego, California in the fall of 1959. The family moved there because of Rose Marie's health problems. The doctors in Royal Oak declared the mild climate in San Diego ideal for her. Outside of many trips to Hawaii, Cunningham lived in San Diego until his death.
Cunningham had one older brother, Greg, and a younger sister, Christine.
When he was in high school he became associated with a girl whom he knew to deal in the occult and covens. This classmate introduced him to Wicca and trained him in Wiccan spirituality. He studied creative writing at San Diego State University, where he enrolled in 1978. After two years in the program, however, he had more published works than several of his professors, and dropped out of the university to write full time. During this period he had as a roommate magical author Donald Michael Kraig and often socialized with witchcraft author Raymond Buckland, who was also living in San Diego at the time. In 1980 Cunningham began initiate training under Raven Grimassi and remained as a first-degree initiate until 1982 when he left the tradition in favor of a self-styled form of Wicca.
In 1983, Scott Cunningham was diagnosed with lymphoma, which he successfully battled. In 1990, while on a speaking tour in Massachusetts, he suddenly fell ill and was diagnosed with AIDS-related cryptococcal meningitis. He suffered from several infections and died in March 1993. He was 36.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Throughout his career, Blakey recorded numerous albums and collaborated with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, and Lee Morgan, among others. He also played a crucial role in the development of hard bop, a subgenre of jazz characterized by its emphasis on groove and rhythm. Blakey's influence extended beyond his music. He was known for his mentorship and support of young musicians, and many of his protégés went on to become successful artists in their own right. His dedication to nurturing talent and pushing the boundaries of jazz made him a beloved figure in the jazz community. Art Blakey passed away on October 16, 1990, but his legacy continues to live on. His powerful drumming and innovative approach to jazz continue to inspire and influence generations of musicians. Today, he is remembered as one of the greatest drummers in the history of jazz and remains an icon in the world of music..
Reviews for "The Jazz Revolution of Art Blakey: The Witch Doctor's Sonic Revolution"
1. John Doe - 2 stars
I really wanted to like "Art Blakey & The Witch Doctor", as I am a fan of jazz music, but I found this album to be quite disappointing. The whole album feels disjointed and lacks coherence. The compositions are chaotic and lack structure, making it difficult to connect with the music. Additionally, the performances feel uninspired and lack the energy that I usually associate with Art Blakey's work. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and would not recommend this album to fellow jazz enthusiasts.
2. Jane Smith - 2 stars
"Art Blakey & The Witch Doctor" failed to capture my attention and interest throughout the entire album. The songs lacked memorable melodies and failed to evoke any strong emotions. The solos felt aimless and lacked creativity, making it difficult to stay engaged with the music. The overall production quality also left much to be desired, with the instruments sounding muddy and indistinct. I appreciate the experimentation in this album, but unfortunately, it did not resonate with me.
3. Michael Johnson - 1 star
I found "Art Blakey & The Witch Doctor" to be a complete mess. The rhythm section feels completely out of sync, making it almost painful to listen to. The excessive use of percussions and drums felt overwhelming and detracted from any enjoyment I might have derived from the music. I also found the compositions to be lackluster, with no memorable melodies or hooks. Overall, this album was a disappointment and not representative of Art Blakey's usual high standards. I would not recommend it to anyone.
4. Emily Thompson - 3 stars
While "Art Blakey & The Witch Doctor" had its moments, overall, it failed to leave a lasting impact on me. The album lacked consistency, with some tracks sounding promising while others felt uninspired. The musicianship was there, but the arrangements felt cluttered and disorganized at times. It felt like the artists were trying too hard to be innovative, resulting in a mix of conflicting styles and ideas that didn't quite come together. While I appreciate the effort to push boundaries, this album fell short of my expectations.