Art Blakey

Art by Tim Foley

Art Blakey

Drums, Bandleader · born 11 October 1919 – died 16 October 1990

▸ Click for Richard Cook Bio

Blakey began as a pianist, getting lessons in his native Pittsburgh, and by his mid-teens he was already leading a local band. But he moved to the drums, after being shown up by Erroll Garner at the piano, and began modelling himself on Chick Webb and Sidney Catlett (who once told him: 'Son, when you're in trouble, roll'). In 1942 he arrived in New York and worked with Fletcher Henderson, before leading his own big band and then joining Billy Eckstine's orchestra in St Louis in 1944, where he stayed for three years. Blakey began leading a group called Jazz Messengers when Eckstine disbanded, and was in on some major record dates with Thelonious Monk and Fats Navarro, before travelling through Africa for a year. Here he took his Islamic name of Abdullah ibn Buhaina, and though he always denied any African influence on his drumming, his rimshot-rapping does seem to have been introduced into his style after this period.

Back in America, he worked for several leaders before forming an alliance with Horace Silver in 1953: this was the real beginning of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, the small-group format – usually two or three horns and rhythm section – which the drummer led for the rest of his career. Blakey turned the group into a dynasty: 'Yes, sir,' he says on his Birdland recording of 1954 with Clifford Brown and Lou Donaldson, 'I'm going to stay with the youngsters – when these get too old, I'm going to get some younger ones.' Scores of musicians passed through the Blakey academy thereafter: Jackie McLean, Johnny Griffin, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Bobby Timmons, Cedar Walton, Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Joanne Brackeen, Gary Bartz, Woody Shaw, Bobby Watson, Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Mulgrew Miller and Terence Blanchard are only some of the most significant. The band's book was expanded with each new compositional talent that joined the band: Blanchard, one of the last MDs of the group, remembers playing an entire week of two sets a night and only repeating a single tune once during the engagement (once too often, the club owner complained). Luckily, Blakey was seldom out of a recording contract, and there are dozens of albums by the different editions of the Messengers, many classics emerging on Blue Note, Atlantic and (latterly) Concord in particular. Blakey managed to work through jazz's leanest commercial periods without being obliged to change his format or go electric, and when the Marsalis brothers joined the group in 1980, it heralded a revival of interest in the hard-bop vernacular and Art found himself acclaimed as a godfather-figure all over again. His own drumming is among the most forceful and distinctive in jazz: trademarks include the chomping hi-hat on two and four, the volcanic press roll (which Sid Catlett had suggested), the huge cymbal-sound with its very slow decay and the cross-rhythms which he delighted in. Besides his Messengers dates, there are several records which he made in the company of African and Latin American drummers, each a tremendous percussive noise. If he felt a soloist was going wrong, or going on too long, an ominous rattling would come from the kit that basically said, time's up. In his white-haired old age, he loved to talk to audiences and would never miss a chance to beat the drum for jazz and how music should be respected: 'It washes away the dust of everyday life.' He somehow found the time to raise seven children, too.

Biography from Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia (2005).

If you'd like more information, check out The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2002) or The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (2007), both of which are still in print.

As leader

  • Art Blakey – A Night At Birdland, Volume OneArt Blakey – A Night At Birdland, Volume One
  • Art Blakey – A Night At Birdland, Volume TwoArt Blakey – A Night At Birdland, Volume Two
  • Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – Hard DriveArt Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – Hard Drive
  • Art Blakey – Orgy in Rhythm, Volume OneArt Blakey – Orgy in Rhythm, Volume One
  • Art Blakey – Orgy In Rhythm, Volume TwoArt Blakey – Orgy In Rhythm, Volume Two
  • Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Drum SuiteArt Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Drum Suite
  • Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – With Thelonious MonkArt Blakey’s Jazz Messengers – With Thelonious Monk
  • Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Moanin’Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers – Moanin’
  • Art Blakey – Holiday for Skins, Volume 1Art Blakey – Holiday for Skins, Volume 1
  • Art Blakey – Holiday for Skins, Volume 2Art Blakey – Holiday for Skins, Volume 2
  • Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 1Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 1
  • Art Blakey – The Big BeatArt Blakey – The Big Beat
  • Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 2Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 2
  • Art Blakey – Impulse / Art Blakey / Jazz MessengersArt Blakey – Impulse / Art Blakey / Jazz Messengers
  • Art Blakey Jazz Messengers – CaravanArt Blakey Jazz Messengers – Caravan

Plays on

  • Clark Terry – Clark TerryClark Terry – Clark Terry
  • Bud Powell – Jazz OriginalBud Powell – Jazz Original
  • Miles Davis – Volume OneMiles Davis – Volume One
  • Miles Davis – Volume TwoMiles Davis – Volume Two
  • The Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume OneThe Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume One
  • The Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume TwoThe Jazz Messengers – At the Café Bohemia, Volume Two
  • Milt Jackson – And The Thelonious Monk QuintetMilt Jackson – And The Thelonious Monk Quintet
  • Thelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Volume OneThelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Volume One
  • Thelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Volume TwoThelonious Monk – Genius of Modern Music, Volume Two
  • Horace Silver – and The Jazz MessengersHorace Silver – and The Jazz Messengers
  • Clifford Brown – Memorial AlbumClifford Brown – Memorial Album
  • The Jazz Messengers – The Jazz MessengersThe Jazz Messengers – The Jazz Messengers
  • Miles Davis – DigMiles Davis – Dig
  • Various Artists – ConceptionVarious Artists – Conception
  • Stan Getz / Zoot Sims / Al Cohn / Allen Eager / Brew Moore – The BrothersStan Getz / Zoot Sims / Al Cohn / Allen Eager / Brew Moore – The Brothers
  • J.J. Johnson / Kai Winding / Bennie Green – Trombone By ThreeJ.J. Johnson / Kai Winding / Bennie Green – Trombone By Three
  • Zoot Sims – QuartetsZoot Sims – Quartets
  • Thelonious Monk – Thelonious Monk TrioThelonious Monk – Thelonious Monk Trio
  • Sonny Rollins – With the Modern Jazz QuartetSonny Rollins – With the Modern Jazz Quartet
  • Gene Ammons – All-Star SessionsGene Ammons – All-Star Sessions
  • Thelonious Monk – MonkThelonious Monk – Monk
  • Miles Davis – Blue HazeMiles Davis – Blue Haze
  • James Moody – James Moody’s MoodsJames Moody – James Moody’s Moods
  • Thelonious Monk – The UniqueThelonious Monk – The Unique
  • Milt Jackson – Plenty Plenty SoulMilt Jackson – Plenty Plenty Soul
  • Horace Silver – Horace Silver Trio and Art Blakey – SabúHorace Silver – Horace Silver Trio and Art Blakey – Sabú
  • Thad Jones – The Magnificent Thad JonesThad Jones – The Magnificent Thad Jones
  • Kenny Dorham – Afro-CubanKenny Dorham – Afro-Cuban
  • Lou Donaldson – Quartet Quintet SextetLou Donaldson – Quartet Quintet Sextet
  • Hank Mobley – And His All StarsHank Mobley – And His All Stars
  • Jimmy Smith – A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume OneJimmy Smith – A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume One
  • Jimmy Smith – A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume TwoJimmy Smith – A Date With Jimmy Smith, Volume Two
  • Cliff Jordan / John Gilmore – Blowing In From ChicagoCliff Jordan / John Gilmore – Blowing In From Chicago
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Hank Mobley QuintetHank Mobley Quintet – Hank Mobley Quintet
  • Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume TwoSonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume Two
  • Johnny Griffin – A Blowing SessionJohnny Griffin – A Blowing Session
  • The Jazz Messengers – Hard BopThe Jazz Messengers – Hard Bop
  • The Jazz Messengers – RitualThe Jazz Messengers – Ritual
  • Sonny Rollins – Moving OutSonny Rollins – Moving Out
  • Thelonious Monk / Sonny Rollins – Thelonious Monk and Sonny RollinsThelonious Monk / Sonny Rollins – Thelonious Monk and Sonny Rollins
  • Sonny Stitt – KaleidoscopeSonny Stitt – Kaleidoscope
  • Randy Weston – Trio and SoloRandy Weston – Trio and Solo
  • Thelonious Monk – Monk’s MusicThelonious Monk – Monk’s Music
  • Jimmy Smith – At The Organ, Volume OneJimmy Smith – At The Organ, Volume One
  • Jimmy Smith – At The Organ, Volume TwoJimmy Smith – At The Organ, Volume Two
  • Cannonball Adderley – Somethin’ ElseCannonball Adderley – Somethin’ Else
  • Kenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume OneKenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume One
  • Sonny Stitt – Stitt’s BitsSonny Stitt – Stitt’s Bits
  • Various Artists – Blues for TomorrowVarious Artists – Blues for Tomorrow
  • Jimmy Smith – The Sounds of Jimmy SmithJimmy Smith – The Sounds of Jimmy Smith
  • Jimmy Smith – House PartyJimmy Smith – House Party
  • Jimmy Smith – The SermonJimmy Smith – The Sermon
  • Cannonball Adderley & Milt Jackson – Things Are Getting BetterCannonball Adderley & Milt Jackson – Things Are Getting Better
  • Kenny Burrell – On View at the Five Spot CafeKenny Burrell – On View at the Five Spot Cafe
  • Hank Mobley – Soul StationHank Mobley – Soul Station
  • Kenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume TwoKenny Burrell – Blue Lights, Volume Two
  • Lee Morgan – Lee-WayLee Morgan – Lee-Way
  • Thelonious Monk – With John ColtraneThelonious Monk – With John Coltrane

Mentioned in text

  • Milt Jackson – Milt Jackson QuartetMilt Jackson – Milt Jackson Quartet
  • Modern Jazz Quartet – ConcordeModern Jazz Quartet – Concorde
  • Miles Davis – The Musings of MilesMiles Davis – The Musings of Miles
  • Kenny Dorham – And the Jazz Prophets, Volume OneKenny Dorham – And the Jazz Prophets, Volume One
  • Herbie Nichols – Herbie Nichols TrioHerbie Nichols – Herbie Nichols Trio
  • Kenny Burrell – Introducing Kenny BurrellKenny Burrell – Introducing Kenny Burrell
  • Jimmy Smith – At The Organ, Volume ThreeJimmy Smith – At The Organ, Volume Three
  • Dexter Gordon – Blows Hot and CoolDexter Gordon – Blows Hot and Cool
  • Clifford Brown and Max Roach – At Basin StreetClifford Brown and Max Roach – At Basin Street
  • Bud Shank – The Bud Shank QuartetBud Shank – The Bud Shank Quartet
  • Elmo Hope Trio – MeditationsElmo Hope Trio – Meditations
  • Miles Davis / Milt Jackson – Quintet / SextetMiles Davis / Milt Jackson – Quintet / Sextet
  • Earl Coleman – Earl Coleman ReturnsEarl Coleman – Earl Coleman Returns
  • Bennie Green – Walking DownBennie Green – Walking Down
  • Clifford Brown – MemorialClifford Brown – Memorial
  • Hank Mobley – Mobley’s MessageHank Mobley – Mobley’s Message
  • Randy Weston Trio – With These HandsRandy Weston Trio – With These Hands
  • Billy Taylor – Introduces Ira SullivanBilly Taylor – Introduces Ira Sullivan
  • Paul Chambers Sextet – Whims of ChambersPaul Chambers Sextet – Whims of Chambers
  • Lee Morgan – Indeed!Lee Morgan – Indeed!
  • Horace Silver – 6 Pieces of SilverHorace Silver – 6 Pieces of Silver
  • Sonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume OneSonny Rollins – Sonny Rollins, Volume One
  • Lou Donaldson Quintet – Wailing With LouLou Donaldson Quintet – Wailing With Lou
  • Thad Jones – The Magnificent Thad Jones, Volume ThreeThad Jones – The Magnificent Thad Jones, Volume Three
  • Lee Morgan – Lee Morgan, Volume ThreeLee Morgan – Lee Morgan, Volume Three
  • Sabú – Palo CongoSabú – Palo Congo
  • Horace Silver – The Stylings of SilverHorace Silver – The Stylings of Silver
  • Curtis Fuller – The OpenerCurtis Fuller – The Opener
  • Don Byrd / Gigi Gryce – Jazz LabDon Byrd / Gigi Gryce – Jazz Lab
  • Horace Silver – Silver’s BlueHorace Silver – Silver’s Blue
  • Modern Jazz Quartet / Milt Jackson Quintet – MJQModern Jazz Quartet / Milt Jackson Quintet – MJQ
  • Freddie Redd / Hamp Hawes – Piano East / Piano WestFreddie Redd / Hamp Hawes – Piano East / Piano West
  • Jackie McLean Quintet – Jackie’s PalJackie McLean Quintet – Jackie’s Pal
  • Prestige All-Stars – All Night LongPrestige All-Stars – All Night Long
  • Sonny Rollins – Saxophone ColossusSonny Rollins – Saxophone Colossus
  • Phil Woods / Donald Byrd – The Young BloodsPhil Woods / Donald Byrd – The Young Bloods
  • Prestige All-Stars – All Day LongPrestige All-Stars – All Day Long
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Mobley’s 2nd MessageHank Mobley Quintet – Mobley’s 2nd Message
  • Jackie McLean – Jackie McLean & Co.Jackie McLean – Jackie McLean & Co.
  • Mal Waldron Quintet – Mal-1Mal Waldron Quintet – Mal-1
  • Ray Draper Quintet – Tuba SoundsRay Draper Quintet – Tuba Sounds
  • Ray Bryant Trio – Piano Piano PianoRay Bryant Trio – Piano Piano Piano
  • Paul Quinichette – On the Sunny SidePaul Quinichette – On the Sunny Side
  • Curtis Fuller – New TromboneCurtis Fuller – New Trombone
  • Gene Ammons – Jammin’ In Hi FiGene Ammons – Jammin’ In Hi Fi
  • Idrees Sulieman / Webster Young / John Coltrane / Bobby Jaspar – Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 TenorsIdrees Sulieman / Webster Young / John Coltrane / Bobby Jaspar – Interplay for 2 Trumpets and 2 Tenors
  • Phil Woods / Gene Quill / Sahib Shihab / Hal Stein – Four AltosPhil Woods / Gene Quill / Sahib Shihab / Hal Stein – Four Altos
  • Art Taylor – Taylor’s WailersArt Taylor – Taylor’s Wailers
  • Kenny Drew – Kenny Drew TrioKenny Drew – Kenny Drew Trio
  • Thelonious Monk – Thelonious HimselfThelonious Monk – Thelonious Himself
  • Kenny Drew – This Is NewKenny Drew – This Is New
  • Clark Terry – Serenade to a Bus SeatClark Terry – Serenade to a Bus Seat
  • Kenny Dorham – Jazz ContrastsKenny Dorham – Jazz Contrasts
  • Sonny Rollins – The Sound of SonnySonny Rollins – The Sound of Sonny
  • Thelonious Monk – Mulligan Meets MonkThelonious Monk – Mulligan Meets Monk
  • Hank Mobley Quintet – Introducing Lee MorganHank Mobley Quintet – Introducing Lee Morgan
  • Warne Marsh – Warne MarshWarne Marsh – Warne Marsh
  • Paul Chambers – Paul Chambers QuintetPaul Chambers – Paul Chambers Quintet
  • Hank Mobley – Hank MobleyHank Mobley – Hank Mobley
  • Sonny Clark – Dial “S” For SonnySonny Clark – Dial “S” For Sonny
  • John Jenkins / Kenny Burrell – John Jenkins with Kenny BurrellJohn Jenkins / Kenny Burrell – John Jenkins with Kenny Burrell
  • Lee Morgan – City LightsLee Morgan – City Lights
  • Sonny Clark – Sonny’s CribSonny Clark – Sonny’s Crib
  • Lee Morgan – The CookerLee Morgan – The Cooker
  • Sonny Clark – Sonny Clark TrioSonny Clark – Sonny Clark Trio
  • Johnny Griffin – The CongregationJohnny Griffin – The Congregation
  • Cliff Jordan – Cliff CraftCliff Jordan – Cliff Craft
  • Jimmy Smith – Groovin’ at Smalls’ Paradise, Volume OneJimmy Smith – Groovin’ at Smalls’ Paradise, Volume One
  • Jimmy Smith – Groovin’ at Smalls’ Paradise, Volume TwoJimmy Smith – Groovin’ at Smalls’ Paradise, Volume Two
  • Horace Silver Quintet – Further ExplorationsHorace Silver Quintet – Further Explorations
  • Lee Morgan – CandyLee Morgan – Candy
  • Lou Donaldson – Lou Takes OffLou Donaldson – Lou Takes Off
  • Louis Smith – SmithvilleLouis Smith – Smithville
  • Miles Davis – MilestonesMiles Davis – Milestones
  • Leroy Vinnegar Sextet – Leroy Walks!Leroy Vinnegar Sextet – Leroy Walks!
  • Jackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto MadnessJackie McLean / John Jenkins – Alto Madness
  • Steve Lacy – Soprano SaxSteve Lacy – Soprano Sax
  • King Pleasure Sings / Annie Ross SingsKing Pleasure Sings / Annie Ross Sings
  • Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin’Miles Davis Quintet – Relaxin’
  • Tommy Flanagan – OverseasTommy Flanagan – Overseas
  • Tiny Grimes with Coleman Hawkins – Blues GrooveTiny Grimes with Coleman Hawkins – Blues Groove
  • Freddy Redd Trio – San Francisco Suite for Jazz TrioFreddy Redd Trio – San Francisco Suite for Jazz Trio
  • Wilbur Ware – The Chicago SoundWilbur Ware – The Chicago Sound
  • Thelonious Monk – Thelonious in ActionThelonious Monk – Thelonious in Action
  • Johnny Griffin – Johnny Griffin SextetJohnny Griffin – Johnny Griffin Sextet
  • Pepper Adams – 10 to 4 at the 5 SpotPepper Adams – 10 to 4 at the 5 Spot
  • Clark Terry with Thelonious Monk – In OrbitClark Terry with Thelonious Monk – In Orbit
  • Thelonious Monk Quartet – MisteriosoThelonious Monk Quartet – Misterioso
  • Max Roach – Deeds, Not WordsMax Roach – Deeds, Not Words
  • Hank Mobley / Lee Morgan – Peckin’ TimeHank Mobley / Lee Morgan – Peckin’ Time
  • Lou Donaldson – Blues WalkLou Donaldson – Blues Walk
  • The 3 Sounds – The 3 SoundsThe 3 Sounds – The 3 Sounds
  • Jackie McLean – New SoilJackie McLean – New Soil
  • Charles Mingus – Mingus Ah UmCharles Mingus – Mingus Ah Um
  • Cecil Taylor Quartet – Looking Ahead!Cecil Taylor Quartet – Looking Ahead!
  • John Coltrane – SoultraneJohn Coltrane – Soultrane
  • Gene Ammons – Blue GeneGene Ammons – Blue Gene
  • Wynton Kelly – Kelly BlueWynton Kelly – Kelly Blue
  • Johnny Griffin – The Little GiantJohnny Griffin – The Little Giant
  • Cannonball Adderley Quintet – In San FranciscoCannonball Adderley Quintet – In San Francisco
  • Lester Young – Pres and TeddyLester Young – Pres and Teddy
  • Walter Davis, Jr. – Davis CupWalter Davis, Jr. – Davis Cup
  • Duke Pearson – ProfileDuke Pearson – Profile
  • Jackie McLean – Swing Swang Swingin’Jackie McLean – Swing Swang Swingin’
  • Lou Donaldson – The Time is RightLou Donaldson – The Time is Right
  • Freddie Redd Quartet – Music from The ConnectionFreddie Redd Quartet – Music from The Connection
  • Sonny Red – Out of the BlueSonny Red – Out of the Blue
  • Dizzy Reece – Soundin’ OffDizzy Reece – Soundin’ Off
  • Stanley Turrentine – Look Out!Stanley Turrentine – Look Out!
  • Jackie McLean – Makin’ the ChangesJackie McLean – Makin’ the Changes
  • Lou Donaldson – Sunny Side UpLou Donaldson – Sunny Side Up
  • Horace Parlan – Us ThreeHorace Parlan – Us Three
  • Max Roach – We Insist! Freedom Now SuiteMax Roach – We Insist! Freedom Now Suite
  • John Coltrane – Coltrane Plays the BluesJohn Coltrane – Coltrane Plays the Blues
  • Jimmy Woods Sextet – ConflictJimmy Woods Sextet – Conflict
  • Clark Terry – The Happy Horns of Clark TerryClark Terry – The Happy Horns of Clark Terry
  • John Coltrane – Coltrane Live at BirdlandJohn Coltrane – Coltrane Live at Birdland
  • Elvin Jones – And Then AgainElvin Jones – And Then Again
  • Herbie Hancock – Maiden VoyageHerbie Hancock – Maiden Voyage
  • Miles Davis – And the Modern Jazz GiantsMiles Davis – And the Modern Jazz Giants
  • Woody Shaw – The MoontraneWoody Shaw – The Moontrane
  • Dexter Gordon – Homecoming: Live at the Village VanguardDexter Gordon – Homecoming: Live at the Village Vanguard
  • Houston Person – The Big HornHouston Person – The Big Horn