Special Show: An Art Blakely Anniversary

Special Show: An Art Blakely Anniversary

JAZZRADIO.com would like to invite you to celebrate the 55th Anniversary of one of the greatest albums in Hard Bop, Moanin'from Art Blakely. In the minds of most jazz fans, the classic Blue Note albums of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers define the Hard Bop era of the 1950s and 60s. And more than any other single album, Moanin', recorded 55 years ago this month, would become the seminal work of that era, setting a standard for jazz musicians for decades thereafter, and ensuring Blakey's place among the most influential bandleaders in jazz.

Building on the innovations of the music known as Bebop, Hard Bop took the harmonic complexities of the earlier style and infused them with elements of R&B, Blues, and Gospel, creating a sound that continues to resonate with listeners to this day. Drummer Art Blakey was a part of it from the beginning. He co-founded the Jazz Messengers in the early 1950s with Horace Silver, and appeared on many of the important early Hard Bop sessions of musicians like Miles Davis, Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, and Kenny Dorham.

On October 30th, 1958, when Blakey entered the studio to make a record with a group of relative unknowns, he had been away from the Blue Note label for several years. Moanin', as the album would eventually become known, was Blakey's return to Blue Note, and the debut of his new band. The front line featured a 20-year-old trumpeter named Lee Morgan, then only just beginning to emerge from the shadow of Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown, and saxophonist Benny Golson, who would soon establish himself as one of the most important composers and arrangers of the period. Blakey's rhythm section included bassist Jymie Merritt, and pianist Bobby Timmons, who's original work "Moanin'" quickly became Blakey's signature tune and one of the most recognizable standards in jazz. Two other compositions penned by Golson and included on that day, "Blues March" and "Along Came Betty", would remain in the band's book and continue to be performed by succeeding generations of the Jazz Messengers until 1990.

Blakey went on to record dozens of albums, and help launch the careers of such heavyweights as Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter, Curtis Fuller, and Cedar Walton. Moanin' forever encapsulates the essence of the Jazz Messengers, and most fully represents sound and style of the Hard Bop era. 

Join JAZZRADIO.com's Music Director Scott Willis as we celebrate the 55th Anniversary of Moanin' by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers on the Hard Bop channel with a special one hour show. Tune in to the Hard Bop Channel on Wednesday October 16 at 6pm (Pacific), Thursday October 17 at 9pm (Pacific), Friday October 18 at 12 noon (Pacific), & Saturday October 19 at 8am (Pacific).

Get to Know Modern Talent on Current Jazz

The Current Jazz channel on JAZZRADIO.com features the best modern-day jazz artists and plenty of up-and-coming stars that you won't hear anywhere else. We've recently added hours of new music to the channel playlist to bring you the best new sounds of today's jazz world. Learn more about some of the featured artists and albums below:

Adam Brenner - The Long Way Home A veteran of the bands of Mel Torme and Dizzy Gillespie, the debut recording by saxophonist Adam Brenner features a stellar New York based rhythm section led by pianist David Hazeltine. Brenner's thoughtfully constructed improvisations bring to mind the best work of his former teacher George Coleman, while his sturdy original compositions incorporate the most accessible and engaging elements of the hard bop and post-bop styles. Among the album's highlights are "Feelin' Good", "Blues for Yardbird", "Ballad for Donna", and "Adam's Latin", which also includes percussionist Daniel Sadownick. Learn more about Adam on his website.

Dave Bennett - Don't Be That Way On his initial release for Mack Avenue Records, clarinetist Dave Bennett and his quintet put a uniquely modern spin on a set of standards long associated with Swing-Era bandleaders Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, and Woody Herman. An original member of the Hot Club of Detroit, Bennett finds inspiration in the melodic clarity of a tune like "Don't Be That Way", and the rhythmic sophistication of "Slipped Disc", without relying on imitation, or simply serving up a sentimental tribute to the period. Along with the work of talented arranger Shelly Berger, Bennett has successfully re-imagined a collection of music for modern audiences. Visit Dave Bennet's website tolearn more.

Bill O'Connell - Zócalo For something with more of a latin flavor, tune-in for music from "Zócalo", the new release from Bill O'Connell + The Latin Jazz All-Stars, which successfully combines the complex harmonic language of modern jazz with rhythmic drive of Afro-Cuban and Salsa music. The pianist, who's been associated with the bands of Mongo Santamaria, Dave Valentin, and Steve Berrios, leads his group through a powerful program of mostly original compositions, plus two standards, and an outstanding re-working of the well-known Victor Feldman tune "Joshua". Learn more about Bill onhis website.

Listen to Current Jazz on JAZZRADIO.com to hear all the artists mentioned above and more!

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