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Art Blakey

Arthur Art Blakey (October 11, 1919 – October 16, 1990), (also known as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina), was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader.
The Timeless Sound of Art Blakey: A Musical Biography
When it comes to jazz legends, Art Blakey’s name cannot be left out of the conversation. He was a drummer, band leader, and composer known for his innovative contributions to the jazz scene. His musical career spanned over five decades, and his influence can still be felt today. In this article, we will take a closer look at Art Blakey's musical biography, explore his music genre, and hotly debate what are considered to be his best songs, concerts and some criticisms of the artist.
Art Blakey was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1919, and began playing drums at a young age. He quickly became a prolific performer, working with a variety of jazz greats, such as Earl Hines, Billy Eckstine, and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1949, he formed his own band, the Jazz Messengers, which would become his most significant contribution to the jazz world. The Jazz Messengers created a unique sound, blending elements of bebop and hard bop, and incorporated the soloist approach as opposed to the traditional big band format.
Blakey's music genre cannot be confined to a single style, as he was continually evolving his sound. Blakey excelled in bebop and hard bop, but also experimented with Latin jazz and fusion, collaborating with musicians like Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, and many others. One setback he faced was that his sound was deemed too progressive at the beginning of his career, leading to a decline in popularity. However, Blakey continued to produce quality music that expanded the repertoire of the jazz genre.
Blakey's work with the Jazz Messengers produced some of the most iconic jazz songs of the 20th century. One such song is Moanin', which features a distinctive melody that quickly became a jazz standard. Another notable song is Blues March, which became a staple in Blakey's live performances. His live performances were known for their high levels of energy and improvisation, allowing for lengthy solos and collaborations with other musicians.
Blakey's most famous concerts took place in the '50s and '60s, such as The Jazz Messengers At The Cafe Bohemia series, where they literally redefined Hard Bop Jazz. They combined identifiable melodies with complex and intricate harmonious basslines and drumming. Blakey's live performances were also known for their high levels of energy and improvisation, providing a platform for musicians to showcase their skills.
Despite his success, Blakey was not immune to criticism. Some critics targeted his repetition of certain rhythms, while others thought him too focused on soloists. However, Blakey's impact on the jazz world is undeniable. He not only created a new sound but also continued to inspire generations to come. He mentored many up-and-coming musicians throughout his career, including Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, and Branford Marsalis, among others.
We can safely say that Art Blakey was a drumming master who left an indelible mark on jazz music. His unique, innovative sound and style earned him critical acclaim and commercial success. His career spanned over five decades, during which he continued to experiment with different musical genres. His music has influenced many artists and continues to resonate with his fans around the world. Art Blakey truly deserves to be respected as one of the most innovative, talented, and important artists in the history of jazz music.
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2023-09-19

The Untold Truth About Art Blakey: A Critic's Honest Evaluation

Are you a fan of Art Blakey’s music? Sorry to break it to you, but he might not be the musical genius that you had built him up to be. In this blog post, we’re going to take a closer look at some of the less-than-stellar facts about Blakey and his approach to creating music – including some stories from his own career that may surprise (and shock!) even diehard fans. Stick around if you want an entertainingly honest critique of how Art Blakey became one of jazz's most beloved figures!

Art Blakey is a name that has been associated with jazz music for decades. He is often regarded as a musical genius among jazz aficionados. His unique approach to drumming and his ability to assemble and lead some of the most famous bands in jazz history have earned him a reputation as one of the greatest drummers of all time. But, are we sure that he was as great as we thought he was? In this blog post, I will delve deeper into Art Blakey's career and provide an honest evaluation of his musicianship. Buckle up, jazz fans, because this is going to be a bumpy ride.

To begin with, Art Blakey's drumming was indeed distinctive, and he utilized elements of Afro-Cuban, bebop, and hard bop to create a sound that was uniquely his own. However, his technical ability and innovation were not as groundbreaking as they are often made out to be. Many drummers who came after him, such as Max Roach and Elvin Jones, pushed the instrument's boundaries even further. Art Blakey's relationship with his bandmates was also problematic. He was notorious for being domineering and did not tolerate any dissent from his musicians. As a result, he often stifled their creativity and made them play in a style that suited him.

In addition, while Art Blakey was responsible for creating some of the most iconic jazz recordings ever made, including Moanin', he did not write the majority of the music he played. Instead, he relied on his band members to bring their compositions to the table. One such example is Wayne Shorter, whose contributions to the Jazz Messengers have fueled much of their success. The irony is that, despite his lack of involvement in the composition process, he was very possessive of the final product and demanded that his name would appear prominently on the album cover.

Moreover, Art Blakey was not present in most of the influential jazz movements during his time. He was mainly associated with hard bop and never fully adapted to the modern jazz movement. As a result, he missed out on the chance to work with some of the most iconic jazz musicians of the 1950s and 1960s, like Miles Davis and John Coltrane. This may be due to his association with jazz as an entertainment rather than as a form of high art. Blakey's approach to music was more geared towards entertainment than innovation.

Finally, Art Blakey's personal life was also less than perfect. He had a problem with drug addiction, which was not uncommon among the jazz musicians of his time, but it did hinder his growth and prevented him from exploring new musical horizons. His treatment of his family was also questionable, and the way he treated his fellow musicians was often divisive. Some musicians left his bands citing mistreatment and a lack of artistic freedom under his thumb.

It is not easy to criticize someone who has a massive influence on jazz music history. However, as fans, it is important to evaluate the legacy of jazz musicians honestly. Art Blakey might have been one of the most celebrated drummers, but his lack of openness to different styles and his general behavior towards his bandmates did not contribute to the growth of jazz music. In the end, he is just another human artist with flaws, and acknowledging these flaws will enhance our appreciation of his work.
Tag: Art Blakey, music artist, best songs, artist career
SONGS OF ART BLAKEY - THE BEST SONGS OF THE ARTIST
1 - Moanin'
2 - Amuck
3 - Blues March
4 - Along Came Betty
5 - Come Rain or Come Shine
6 - Are You Real
7 - A Night in Tunisia
8 - The Drum Thunder Suite
9 - Dat Dere
10 - Free for All
11 - Warm-Up And Dialogue Between Lee And Rudy
12 - Lester Left Town
13 - So Tired
14 - Moanin' (alternate Take)
15 - Confirmation
16 - Nica's Dream
17 - Once In A While
18 - Quicksilver
19 - Split Kick
20 - Sincerely Diana
21 - Hank's Symphony
22 - When Your Lover Has Gone
23 - Mayreh
24 - Ecaroh
25 - It's You Or No One
26 - The End Of A Love Affair
27 - Infra-rae
28 - Kozo's Waltz
29 - Caravan
30 - Carol's Interlude
31 - Now's The Time
32 - Evidence
33 - Yama
34 - Late Show
35 - In Walked Bud
36 - Ill Wind
37 - No Hay Problema
38 - Cubano Chant
39 - Blue Monk
40 - Split Skins
41 - Ya Ya
42 - When Love Is New
43 - Whisper Not
44 - Blakey's Blues
45 - I Remember Clifford
46 - If I Had You
47 - Moanin' - Live
48 - Sortie