Bell Sound Studio B, NYC, February 3, 1960
| Bess | Vee Jay VJS 3007 | |
| Bess (alt. take 3) | Vee Jay [J] FHCY 1002 | |
| Off Spring | Vee Jay VJS 3007 | |
| Off Spring (alt. take 7) | Vee Jay [J] FHCY 1002 | |
| Mogie | Vee Jay VJS 3007 | |
| Mogie (alt. take 1) | Vee Jay [J] FHCY 1002 | |
| Mogie (alt. take 2) | - | |
| I'm a Fool to Want You | Vee Jay VJS 3007 | |
| I'm a Fool to Want You (alt. take) | Vee Jay [J] FHCY 1002 | |
| I'm a Fool to Want You (alt. take 1) | - | |
| Terrible ``T'' | Vee Jay VJS 3007 | |
| Terrible ``T'' (alt. take) | Vee Jay [J] FHCY 1002 | |
| Terrible ``T'' (alt. take 7) | - | |
| Running Brook | Vee Jay VJS 3007 | |
| Running Brook (alt. take 9) | Vee Jay [J] FHCY 1002 |
* Here's Lee Morgan (Vee Jay VJS 3007)
* Alternate Takes of Here's Lee Morgan (Vee Jay [J] FHCY 1002)
Hank Mobley (ts) Wynton Kelly (p) Paul Chambers
(b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, February 7, 1960
| Remember? | Blue Note BLP 4031 | |
| Dig Dis | - | |
| This I Dig of You | - | |
| Split Feelin's | - | |
| Soul Station | - | |
| If I Should Lose You | - |
* Soul Station / Hank Mobley (Blue Note BLP 4031)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, March 6, 1960
|
The Chess Players | Blue Note BLP 4029 |
| Lester Left Town | - | |
| It's Only a Paper Moon | - | |
| It's Only a Paper Moon (alt. take) | Blue Note [J] TOCJ 5941/44 | |
| Dat Dere | Blue Note BLP 4029 | |
| Sakeena's Vision | - | |
| Politely | - | |
| In 1960, Art Blakey led one of
the greatest versions of his Jazz Messengers. The particular edition heard
on this CD features three distinctive soloists (trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor
saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Bobby Timmons). Highlights of The Big
Beat include Timmons's "Dat Dere" and Shorter's "Lester Left Town" in
addition to a colorful arrangement of "It's Only a Paper Moon," heard in two
versions. A gem. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide Nobody supplied a bigger beat in jazz than Art Blakey. This Blue Note date from 1960, appropriately titled THE BIG BEAT, documents one of the best line-ups that Blakey and his Jazz Messengers ever had. With Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter on the front line and Bobby Timmons and Jymie Merritt in the rhythm section with Blakey, this group defined hard bop with soulful swing, commanding solos and tight ensemble arrangements. Only Miles Davis and John Coltrane could also claim to lead groups of equally powerful stature. Wayne Shorter held the spot of musical director during his tenure with the Messengers and he contributes three gems to this session. His shuffling "The Chess Players" opens the album with a slow grooving stroll. The pace is quickened with his bouncing "Sakeena's Vision," featuring a driving solo section and plenty of prodding from Blakey. Also included is Shorter's superb swinger "Lester Left Town" which would become a Messengers performance favorite. Timmons' contribution is his legendary blues "Dat Dere," a gospel-flavored groover that gets a signature performance here. Finally, the standard "It's Only A Paper Moon" is given a daunting new arrangement and an extra bonus take to close out the disc. |
||
* The Big Beat (Blue Note BLP 4029)
* The Other Side Blue Note 4000 Series / various artists (Blue Note [J]
TOCJ 5941/44)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d) Buddy Rich (d, 3)
`Birdland'', NYC, April 16, 1960
.
|
Dis Yeah [aamof Dat Dere] | Alto 720, Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020 |
| 2. | Dat There [aamof This Here] | - |
| 3. | Justice | Alto 721, Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020 |
* Drums Ablaze (Alto 720)
* Unforgettable Lee! / Lee Morgan (Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020)
* The Electric Sticks of Buddy Rich (Alto 721)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby
Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d) Buddy Rich (d, 3)
``Birdland'', NYC, April 23, 1960
|
April Jamming [aamof Nelly Bly] | Alto 720, Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020 |
| 2. | Along Came Betty | - |
| 3. | A Night in Tunisia | Alto 721, Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020 |
* Drums Ablaze (Alto 720)
* Unforgettable Lee! / Lee Morgan (Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020)
* The Electric Sticks of Buddy Rich (Alto 721)
Charles Greenlee (tb) Sonny Red (as) Tommy
Flanagan (p) Ron Carter (b) Art Blakey (d) Philly Joe Jones (d, 1,2,4) Elvin
Jones, Charlie Persip (d, 3-5)
`Birdland'', NYC, April 25, 1960
| 1. | Wee Dot | Roulette R 52049 |
| 2. | Now's the Time | - |
| 3. | El Sino | - |
| 4. | Drum Ensemble | Vogue [F] 600107 |
| 5. | A Night in Tunisia | - |
* Gretsch Drum Night at Birdland / various
artists (Roulette R 52049)
* Drum Night at Birdland / various artists (Vogue [F] 600107)
Lee Morgan (tp) Jackie McLean (as) Bobby
Timmons (p) Paul Chambers (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, April 28, 1960
| These Are Soulful Days | Blue Note BLP 4034 | |
| The Lion and the Wolff | - | |
| Midtown Blues | - | |
| Nakaniti Suite | - |
* Lee-Way / Lee Morgan (Blue Note BLP 4034)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby
Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
`Birdland'', NYC, May 28, 1960
|
The Chess Players | Session 116, Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020 |
| Dis Yeah [aamof This Here] | - |
* Hooray for Art Blakey, Vol. 1 (Session
116)
* Unforgettable Lee! / Lee Morgan (Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020)
same personnel
``Birdland'', NYC, June 4, 1960
|
|
The Midgets [aamof The Midget] | Session 116, Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020 |
| Lester Left Town | Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1029 |
* Hooray for Art Blakey, Vol. 1 (Session
116)
* Unforgettable Lee! / Lee Morgan (Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1020)
* More Birdland Sessions / Lee Morgan (Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1029)
same personnel
|
Yama | Blue Note BLP 4049 |
|
Sincerely Diana | - |
| Sincerely Diana (alt. take) | Mosaic MD6 141 | |
| Noise in the Attic | Blue Note BLP 4245 | |
| Sleeping Dancer Sleep on | - | |
| Sleeping Dancer Sleep on (alt. take) | Mosaic MD6 141 | |
| When Your Lover Has Gone | Blue Note [J] TOCJ 5941/44, Mosaic MD6 141 | |
| Taken from the same sessions that resulted in A Night in Tunisia, this fine CD features the 1960 version of The Jazz Messengers starring trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Bobby Timmons. The title cut is the most impressive performance, but this excellent program of high-quality hard bop also allows listeners to hear three obscure Wayne Shorter compositions and Lee Morgan's forgotten "Johnny's Blue." -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* A Night in Tunisia (Blue Note BLP
4049)
* The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Art Blakey's 1960 Jazz Messengers
(Mosaic MD6 141)
* Like Someone in Love (Blue Note BLP 4245)
* The Other Side Blue Note 4000 Series / various artists (Blue Note [J]
TOCJ 5941/44)
Blue Mitchell (tp, 1-5) Bobby Timmons (p) Sam
Jones (b) Art Blakey (d)
NYC, August 12 & 17, 1960
| 1. | So Tired | Riverside RLP 334 |
| 2. | The Touch of Your Lips | - |
| 3. | Soul Time | - |
| 4. | You Don't Know What Love Is | - |
| 5. | S'posin' | - |
| 6. | One Mo' | - |
| 7. | Stella B. | - |
* Soul Time / Bobby Timmons (Riverside RLP 334)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
|
|
A Night in Tunisia | Blue Note BLP 4049 |
|
|
So Tired | - |
| Kozo's Waltz | - | |
| Like Someone in Love | Blue Note BLP 4245 | |
| Johnny's Blues | - | |
| Giants | - | |
| Yama | unissued | |
| The lengthy title track on this CD easily overshadows the rest of the program for it is one of the most exciting versions ever recorded of Dizzy Gillespie's "A Night in Tunisia." Trumpeter Lee Morgan (then only in his early 20s), tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby Timmons and bassist Jymie Merritt formed one of the strongest of the many versions of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and are actually in fine form during the remainder of the satisfying (if anticlimatic) set. The CD augments the LP by adding a version of "When Your Lover Has Gone" and an alternate take of "Sincerely Diana" to the original program. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* A Night in Tunisia (Blue Note BLP
4049)
* Like Someone in Love (Blue Note BLP 4245)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Walter Davis
Jr. (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Birdland'', NYC, September 11, 1960
|
Kozo's Waltz | Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1029 |
| Sakeena's Vision | - |
* More Birdland Sessions / Lee Morgan (Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1029)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Birdland'', 1st set, NYC, September 14, 1960
|
|
The Breeze and I | unissued |
| These Are the Things I Love | - |
same personnel
``Birdland'', 2nd set, NYC, September 14,
1960
|
The Summit | Blue Note BLP 4055 |
| High Modes | - | |
| The Theme | - |
* Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 2 (Blue Note BLP 4055)
same personnel
``Birdland'', 3rd set, NYC, September 14, 1960
|
|
The Opener | unissued |
| What Know? | Blue Note BLP 4054 | |
| The Theme | - |
* Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 1 (Blue Note BLP 4054)
same personnel
`Birdland'', 4th set, NYC, September 14,
1960
|
|
The Breeze and I | Blue Note BLP 4054 |
| The Opener | - | |
| The Things I Love | Blue Note BLP 4055 | |
| 'Round About Midnight | Blue Note BLP 4054 | |
| Night Watch | unissued |
* Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World,
Vol. 1 (Blue Note BLP 4054)
* Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 2 (Blue Note BLP 4055)
same personnel
``Birdland'', 5th set, NYC, September 14, 1960
|
|
The Opener | unissued |
| Night Watch | Blue Note BLP 4055 | |
| The Breeze and I | unissued | |
| These Are the Things I Love | - | |
| Art Blakey's 1960 Jazz Messengers recorded so many excellent records that the "good" rating given this LP is relative. With trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter and pianist Bobby Timmons all receiving plenty of solo space, the band is in fine form on Hank Mobley's "The Opener," Lee Morgan's "What Know" and two standards. Little unexpected occurs, but fans of hard-swinging jazz will want to pick up both volumes in this series. | ||
* Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World, Vol. 2 (Blue Note BLP 4055)
Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Bob
Cranshaw (b) Art Blakey (d)
Chicago, IL, October 11, 1960
| The Ruby and the Pearl | Vee Jay VJS 3057 | |
| Pay as You Go | - | |
| Second Genesis | - | |
| Mister Chairman | - | |
| Tenderfoot | - | |
| The Albatross | - | |
| Getting to Know You | - | |
| I Didn't Know What Time It Was | - |
* Second Genesis / Wayne Shorter (Vee Jay VJS 3057)
Lee Morgan (tp) Cliff Jordan (ts, 1-10) Eddie
Higgins (p) Art Davis (b) Art Blakey (d)
Universal Recording, Chicago, IL, October
13, 1960
| Expoobident | Vee Jay VJS 3015 | |
| 2. | Expoobident (alt. take 3) | Mosaic MD6 202 |
| 3. | Fire | Vee Jay VJS 3015 |
| 4. | Fire (alt. take 3) | Mosaic MD6 202 |
| 5. | Just in Time | Vee Jay VJS 3015 |
| 6. | Just in Time (alt. take 2) | Mosaic MD6 202 |
| 7. | Triple Track | Vee Jay VJS 3015 |
| 8. | Triple Track (alt. take 1) | Mosaic MD6 202 |
| 9. | The Hearing | Vee Jay VJS 3015 |
| 10. | Lost and Found | - |
| 11. | Easy Living | - |
* Expoobident / Lee Morgan (Vee Jay VJS
3015)
* The Complete Vee Jay Lee Morgan - Wayne Shorter Sessions (Mosaic MD6
202)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby
Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Birdland'', NYC, October 28, 1960
|
|
Noise in the Attic | Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1029 |
| So Tired | - |
* More Birdland Sessions / Lee Morgan (Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1029)
same personnel
`Birdland'', NYC, November 5, 1960
|
|
It's Only a Paper Moon | Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1029 |
| This Here | - |
* More Birdland Sessions / Lee Morgan (Fresh Sound [Sp] FSCD 1029)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Hank Mobley (ts) Wynton Kelly (p) Paul Chambers (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, November 13, 1960
| My Groove Your Move | Blue Note BLP 4058 | |
| Take Your Pick | - | |
| A Baptist Beat | - | |
| A Baptist Beat (alt. take) | Blue Note CDP 7 46823 2 | |
| The More I See You | Blue Note BLP 4058 | |
| The Breakdown | - | |
| Roll Call | - |
* Roll Call / Hank Mobley (Blue Note BLP
4058)
* Roll Call / Hank Mobley (Blue Note CDP 7 46823 2)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
|
Blues March | Dragon [Sw] DRLP 137 |
| Lester Left Town | - | |
| The Theme | - | |
| The Summit | - | |
| Along Came Betty | - | |
| A Night in Tunisia | - | |
| The Theme | - | |
| Recorded from a radio broadcast in Sweden, this LP finds The Jazz Messengers near their peak. This edition of the band (with trumpeter Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter on tenor and pianist Bobby Timmons) was the most celebrated and most frequently recorded of all the versions of The Jazz Messengers. This album (which includes strong versions of "Blues March," "Lester Left Town," "Along Came Betty," "A Night in Tunisia" and Wayne Shorter's lesser-known "The Summit") is easily recommended as a strong example of their legacy. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers Live in Stockholm, 1960 (Dragon [Sw] DRLP 137)
same personnel
``Theatre de Beaulieu'', Lausanne, Switzerland, December 8, 1960
|
Now's the Time | TCB 02022 |
|
Lester Left Down | - |
| Noise in the Attic | - | |
| Dat Dere | - | |
| Kozo's Waltz | - | |
| It's Only a Paper Moon | TCB 02062 | |
| 'Round About Midnight | - | |
| The Summit | - | |
| A Night in Tunisia | - | |
| This Here | - | |
| Nearly every
recording by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, particularly during the 1958-61
period, is well worth acquiring by fans of hard bop. This 1995 CD from the
Swiss label TCB features a particularly strong edition of Blakey's group,
with trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor-saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby
Timmons, bassist Jymie Merritt and the drummer/leader. Together they perform
"Now's the Time," two of Shorter's tunes ("Lester Left Town" and "Noise in
the Attic"), Morgan's "Kozo's Waltz" and Timmons's recent hit "Dat Dere."
Recommended. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide The 1960 version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (which consisted of the drummer/leader, trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby Timmons, and bassist Jymie Meritt) was very well documented. This 1996 CD releases for the first time music from the second half of a Geneva concert by the band. One can argue that these performances of "It's Only a Paper Moon," "'Round Midnight," Wayne Shorter's "The Summit," "A Night In Tunisia" and Timmons' "This Here" do not add that much to the Messengers' vast legacy, but the music is really too good for hard bop fans (even those with many other versions) to pass up. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide |
||
* Lausanne, 1960, Pt. 1 (TCB 02022)
* Lausanne, 1960, Pt. 2 (TCB 02062)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby
Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Sankei Hall'', Tokyo, Japan, January 2,
1961
|
The Summit | Baybridge [J] 30CP 23/24 |
| The Breeze and I | - | |
| Blues March | - | |
| Moanin' | - | |
| It's Only a Paper Moon | - | |
| Nelly Bly | - | |
| Dat Dere | - | |
| 'Round About Midnight | - | |
| A Night in Tunisia | - | |
| The Theme | - |
* A Day with Art Blakey, 1961 (Baybridge [J] 30CP 23/24)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d) Nobuo Hara Sharps and Flats (5,6)
TBS-TV Studios, Tokyo, Japan, January 11, 1961
|
A Night in Tunisia | Somethin'else [J] CJ32 5503 |
| 2. | The Summit | - |
| 3. | Dat Dere | - |
| 4. | Yama | - |
| 5. | Moanin' | - |
| 6. | Blues March | - |
* Tokyo, 1961 (Somethin'else [J] CJ32 5503)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, February 12, 1961
|
Look at the Birdie | unissued |
| United | Blue Note [J] GXF 3060 | |
| Ping Pong | - | |
| Mastermind | unissued | |
| Pretty Larceny | - | |
| Pisces | Blue Note [J] GXF 3060 | |
| Blue Ching | - |
* Pisces (Blue Note [J] GXF 3060)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p, 1-5) Walter Davis Jr. (p, 6,7) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, February 18, 1961
|
Pretty Larceny | Blue Note BLP 4156 |
| 2. | Look at the Birdie | Blue Note BST 84347 |
| 3. | Mastermind | - |
| 4. | Ping Pong | - |
| 5. | Roots and Herbs (alt. take) | rejected |
| 6. | Roots and Herbs | Blue Note BST 84347 |
| 7. | United | - |
* The Freedom Rider (Blue Note BLP 4156)
* Roots and Herbs (Blue Note BST 84347)
Lee Morgan (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, March 14, 1961
|
The Witch Doctor | Blue Note BLP 4258 |
| The Witch Doctor (alt. take) | Mosaic MD6 141 | |
| Afrique | Blue Note BLP 4258 | |
| Those Who Sit and Wait | - | |
| A Little Busy | - | |
| Joelle | - | |
| Lost and Found | - | |
| The 1960-61 Jazz Messengers featured three distinctive soloists (trumpeter Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter on tenor and pianist Bobby Timmons), perfectly suitable accompaniment by bassist Jymie Merritt and typically powerful drumming from its leader, Art Blakey. Witch Doctor has two compositions apiece from Morgan and Shorter in addition to Timmons's "A Little Busy" and Clifford Jordan's "Lost and Found." None of these songs became standards, but the fine solos and strong group sound make this LP worth picking up. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* The Witch Doctor (Blue Note BLP 4258)
* The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Art Blakey's 1960 Jazz Messengers
(Mosaic MD6 141)
same personnel
``Free Trade Hall'', Manchester, England, May 6, 1961
| Are You Real? | private tape | |
| Like Someone in Love | - | |
| Kozo's Waltz | - | |
| Blues March | - | |
| It's Only a Paper Moon | - | |
| A Night in Tunisia | - | |
| The Summit | - |
same personnel
`L'Olympia'', Paris, France, May 13, 1961
|
The Summit | Europe 1 [F] 17-10373/74 |
| Yama | - | |
| Close Your Eyes | - | |
| Dat Dere | - | |
| 'Round About Midnight | - | |
| So Tired | - | |
| My Funny Valentine | - | |
| It's Only a Paper Moon | - | |
| Noise in the Attic | - | |
| Mornin' | - | |
| I Didn't Know What Time It Was | - | |
| Blues March | - | |
| A Night in Tunisia | - |
* Featuring Wayne Shorter (Europe 1 [F] 17-10373/74)
Lee Morgan (tp, 1,2,4-7) Wayne Shorter (ts,
1,2,4-7) Bobby Timmons (p, 1,2,4-7) Jymie Merritt (b, 1,2,4-7) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 27, 1961
|
The Back Sliders | Blue Note BST 84347 |
| 2. | The Back Sliders (alt. take) | Mosaic MD6 141 |
| 3. | The Freedom Rider | Blue Note BLP 4156 |
| 4. | Tell It Like It Is | - |
| 5. | El Toro | - |
| 6. | Blue Lace | - |
| 7. | Uptight | Blue Note [J] GXF 3060 |
| The final recording by this edition of The Jazz Messengers (featuring trumpeter Lee Morgan, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Jymie Merritt and drummer/leader Art Blakey) finds the group consolidating their year-and-a-half of experience into yet another exciting document. Blakey's unaccompanied drum feature on "The Freedom Rider" is full of drama while the rest of the program (two compositions apiece by Morgan and Shorter) makes this last chapter for this particular band quite memorable. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Roots and Herbs (Blue Note BST 84347)
* The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Art Blakey's 1960 Jazz Messengers
(Mosaic MD6 141)
* The Freedom Rider (Blue Note BLP 4156)
* Pisces (Blue Note [J] GXF 3060)
Lee Morgan (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Wayne Shorter (ts) Bobby Timmons (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, June 13, 1961
|
I Hear a Rhapsody | Impulse A 7 |
| Circus | - |
* Art Blakey and Jazz Messengers [A la Mode] (Impulse A 7)
same personnel
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, June 14, 1961
|
|
Invitation | Impulse A 7 |
| A la Mode | - | |
| You Don't Know What Love Is | - | |
| Gee Baby Ain't I Good to You | - | |
An absolutely wonderful 1961 set from Blakey and company, who demonstrate here how to be note-perfect without leeching away the emotion of a performance. Aside from Blakey's divine drum work, the standouts include Jaymie Merritt's trippy bass fingerwork, and Wayne Shorter blowing his heart out on tenor sax. Beautifully remastered, well worth having in this edition. -- Steven McDonald, All Music Guide |
||
* Art Blakey and Jazz Messengers [A la Mode] (Impulse A 7)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Village Gate'', NYC, August 17, 1961
| The Promised Land | Blue Note BN-LA 473-J2, Blue Note CDP 7 84452 2 | |
| Arabia | - |
* Live Messengers (Blue Note BN-LA
473-J2)
* 3 Blind Mice, Vol. 2 (Blue Note CDP 7 84452 2)
same personnel
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, October 2, 1961
|
Mosaic | Blue Note BLP 4090 |
| Down Under | - | |
| Children of the Night | - | |
| Arabia | - | |
| Crisis | - | |
| The first studio recording by Art Blakey's all-star Messengers of 1961-64 features five group originals (including "Mosaic," "Arabia" and "Crisis") and exciting solos from the great frontline (trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, trombonist Curtis Fuller and tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter). All of the recordings by this classic hard bop group are well worth acquiring. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Mosaic (Blue Note BLP 4090)
same personnel
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, November 28, 1961
|
Contemplation | Blue Note BLP 4104 |
| Moon River | - | |
| Backstage Sally | unissued | |
| Bu's Delight | - | |
| Reincarnation Blues | - | |
| Shaky Jake | - |
* Buhaina's Delight (Blue Note BLP 4104)
same personnel
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, December 18, 1961
|
|
Backstage Sally | Blue Note BLP 4104 |
| Bu's Delight | - | |
| Reincarnation Blues | - | |
| Shaky Jake | - | |
| There have been several classic editions of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers including the sextet heard on this CD which adds four alternate takes to the original LPs program. With trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter, trombonist Curtis Fuller and pianist Cedar Walton (all of whom would be major names in jazz for the next 30 years) taking consistently excellent solos, it is not surprising that this CD (which is highlighted by "Moon River," "Bu's Delight" and "Backstage Sally"), as with all of the other recordings by this group, is easily recommended to lovers of hard bop. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Buhaina's Delight (Blue Note BLP 4104)
Sonny Clark (p) Grant Green (g) Sam Jones (b)
Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, January 13, 1962
| Airegin | Blue Note LT 1032 | |
| Airegin (alt. take) | Mosaic MR5 133 | |
| It Ain't Necessarily So | Blue Note LT 1032 | |
| I Concentrate on You | - | |
| The Things We Did Last Summer | - | |
| The Song Is You | - | |
| Nancy | Mosaic MR5 133 |
* Nigeria / Grant Green (Blue Note LT
1032)
* The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Grant Green with Sonny Clark
(Mosaic MR5 133)
Bennie Green (tb, 4-6) Ike Quebec (ts) Stanley Turrentine (ts, 4-6) Sonny Clark (p) Milt Hinton (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, January 20, 1962
| 1. | I've Got a Crush on You | Blue Note BLP 4103 |
| 2. | Easy Living | - |
| 3. | Nancy with the Laughing Face | - |
| 4. | Congo Lament | Blue Note LT 1089, Blue Note BLP 4103 |
| 5. | Que's Pill | - |
| 6. | See See Rider | - |
| 7. | B.G.'s Groove Two | Blue Note LT 1089 |
| 8. | I.Q. Shuffle | - |
* Congo Lament [unissued] / Ike Quebec
(Blue Note BLP 4103)
* Congo Lament / Ike Quebec (Blue Note LT 1089)
Yusef Lateef (ob, ts, fl, cowbell, thumb piano) Ahmed Abdul-Malik (b) Art Blakey (d, timp, gong, telegraph d) James Ola Folami (cga) Chief Bay (cga, telegraph d, double gong) Robert Crowder (bata-d, cga) Curtis Fuller (timp) Garvin Masseaux (chekere, African maracas, cga) Montego Joe (bambara d, double gong, corboro d, log d) Solomon Ilori (vo, penny whistle, talking d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, January 24, 1962
| Ife L'ayo [There Is Happiness in Love] | Blue Note BLP 4097 | |
| Obirin African [Woman of Africa] | - | |
| The Mystery of Love | - | |
| Ero Ti N'r Ojeje, Ayiko Ayiko [Welcome Welcome My Darling] | - | |
| Tobi Ilu | - |
* The African Beat (Blue Note BLP 4097)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
`Titania-Palast'', Berlin, West Germany, February 4, 1962
| 'Round About Midnight | Jazz Up [It] JU 321 | |
| Mosaic | - |
* Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers Live in Berlin, 1959/1962 (Jazz Up [It] JU 321)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Jymie Merritt (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Renaissance Club'', Hollywood, CA, March 18, 1962
|
Three Blind Mice | United Artists UAJ 14002, Blue Note CDP 7 84451 2 |
| Blue Moon | - | |
| That Old Feeling | - | |
| Plexis | - | |
| Up Jumped Spring | - | |
| Up Jumped Spring (alt. take) | Blue Note BN-LA 473-J2, Blue Note CDP 7 84451 2 | |
| When Lights Are Low | United Artists UAJ 14002, Blue Note CDP 7 84451 2 | |
| Children of the Night | Blue Note CDP 7 84451 2 | |
| It's Only a Paper Moon | Blue Note BN-LA 473-J2, Blue Note CDP 7 84452 2 | |
| Mosaic | - | |
| Ping Pong | - | |
| This
live set from 1962 features Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers in one of
their strongest line-ups. Freddie Hubbard, Wayne Shorter and Curtis Fuller
form a stunning front line that is expertly propelled by the rhythm section
of Blakey, Cedar Walton and Jymie Merritt. Free from the constraints of the
studio, the tight ensemble arrangements for which the group is famous are
expanded upon here and performed with even greater energy. As expected,
Blakey's driving leadership and assertive drumming incites memorable
performances from his men and an enthusiastic response from his audience. Curtis Fuller's lilting arrangement of the childhood favorite "Three Blind Mice" opens the set with jazzed-up harmonies and explosive comments from Blakey. The standard ballad "Blue Moon" also gets an updated arrangement, this time from Shorter, and a mournful performance by Hubbard in the lead. The original compositions, however, get the most energized readings here as Walton's blistering "Plexis" and Hubbard's "Up Jumped Spring" are the highlights of the set. Also included in this volume are a second take of the latter and a previously unreleased performance of Shorter's "Children Of The Night," one of his most vigorous compositions.
|
||
* 3 Blind Mice (United Artists UAJ
14002)
* 3 Blind Mice, Vol. 1 (Blue Note CDP 7 84451 2)
* Live Messengers (Blue Note BN-LA 473-J2)
* 3 Blind Mice, Vol. 2 (Blue Note CDP 7 84452 2)
same personnel
``Birdland'', NYC, July 21, 1962
| Blakey's Dream | Session 117 | |
| Moon River | - | |
| Blue Moon | - | |
| Three Blind Mice | - | |
| Mosaic | - |
* Hooray for Art Blakey, Vol. 2 (Session 117)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Reggie Workman (b) Art Blakey (d)
Plaza Sound Studios, NYC, October 23 & 24, 1962
|
Caravan | Riverside RLP 438 |
| Sweet 'n' Sour | - | |
| Sweet 'n' Sour (take 4) | unissued | |
| In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning | Riverside RLP 438 | |
| This Is for Albert | - | |
| Skylark | - | |
| Thermo | - | |
| Thermo (alt. take) | unissued | |
| Thermo (take 2) | - | |
| Art Blakey led many strong versions of his Jazz Messengers over a 30 year period. This particular unit featured five young greats: trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor-saxophonist Wayne Shorter, trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Cedar Walton and bassist Reggie Workman. On the CD reissue (which adds a pair of alternate takes to the original Lp program), the group is heard in prime form with the highlights including "Caravan," "Thermo" (two versions are included) and "Skylark." -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Caravan (Riverside RLP 438)
same personnel
NYC, 1962
| Children [Children of the Night] | Europa Jazz [It] EJ 1035 |
* Europa Jazz / Art Blakey, Freddie Hubbard, Horace Silver, Max Roach (Europa Jazz [It] EJ 1035)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Reggie Workman (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Birdland'', NYC, June 16, 1963
|
One by One | Riverside RLP 464 |
| Ugetsu | - | |
| Time Off | - | |
| Ping Pong | - | |
| I Didn't Know What Time It Was | - | |
| On the Ginza | - | |
| The Theme | - | |
| Art Blakey's 1963 Jazz Messengers (which included trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenor-saxophonist Wayne Shorter, trombonist Curtis Fuller, pianist Cedar Walton and bassist Reggie Workman in addition to the drummer-leader) was one of his finest. The CD reissue (which adds two songs to the seven on the original Lp) has plenty of strong moments, particularly on "Ping-Pong," Shorter's feature ("I Didn't Know What Time It Was") and the memorable "One By One." This high-quality hard bop session is recommended. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Ugetsu (Riverside RLP 464)
Sonny Stitt (ts, as) McCoy Tyner (p) Art Davis (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, September 5, 1963
|
Just Knock on My Door | Impulse A 45 |
| 11626 | Sunday | - |
| 11627 | Cafe | - |
| 11628 | Blue Back | - |
| 11629 | The Song Is You | - |
| 11631 | Summertime | - |
| Drummer Art Blakey took time off from his busy schedule as leader of The Jazz Messengers to participate in this quartet session with saxophonist Sonny Stitt, pianist McCoy Tyner and bassist Art Davis. Although this session was under Blakey's leadership, Stitt (on both tenor and alto) emerges as the main soloist, playing his trademark bebop lines with creativity and typical enthusiasm. [A 20-bit remaster of Jazz Message was released in the fall of 1999.] -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* A Jazz Message (Impulse A 45)
Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Julius Watkins (frh) Bill Barber (tu) James Spaulding (as) Wayne Shorter (ts) Charles Davis (brs) Cedar Walton (p) Reggie Workman (b) Art Blakey (d)
NYC, 1963
|
Theme from the ``Golden Boy'' | Colpix CP 478 |
| Yes I Can, No You Can't | - | |
| Lorna's Tune | - | |
| This Is the Life | - | |
| There's a Party | - | |
| I Want to Be with You | - |
* Golden Boy (Colpix CP 478)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Reggie Workman (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, February 10, 1964
|
Free for All | Blue Note BLP 4170 |
| Hammer Head | - | |
| The Core | - | |
| Pensativa | - | |
| During most of 1961-64 Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (except for bassist Reggie Workman replacing Spanky DeBrest) managed to keep the same personnel, a remarkable feat when one considers the strong talent (which included trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, trombonist Curtis Fuller, Wayne Shorter on tenor and pianist Cedar Walton). Free for All was this particular group's last recording before Freddie Hubbard went out on his own, and it includes lengthy versions of two Shorter tunes, Hubbard's "The Core" and the standard "Pensativa." Fine music. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Free for All (Blue Note BLP 4170)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Reggie Workman (b) Art Blakey (d) Wellington Blakey (vo, 5)
NYC, February 20, 1964
|
Kyoto | Riverside RLP 493 |
| 2. | The High Priest | - |
| 3. | Never, Never Land | - |
| 4. | Nihon Bashi | - |
| 5. | Wellington's Blues | - |
| Reissued on Fantasy's OJC series, this LP (also available as a CD) finds Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers paying tribute to Japan (where they had toured to great acclaim) on two selections, featuring Art Blakey's cousin as a vocalist on "Wellington's Blues" (a real rarity in The Jazz Messengers' discography) and debuting Curtis Fuller's "The High Priest." With trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, tenorman Wayne Shorter and trombonist Fuller in fine form, this is one of literally dozens of recommended Jazz Messengers recordings. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Kyoto (Riverside RLP 493)
Lee Morgan (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Wayne Shorter (ts) Cedar Walton (p) Reggie Workman (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, April 15, 1964
| It's a Long Way Down | Blue Note [J] GXF 3060 | |
| Mr. Jin | unissued | |
| When Love Is New | - |
* Pisces (Blue Note [J] GXF 3060)
same personnel
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, April 16, 1964
| The Egyptian | unissued | |
| Calling Miss Khadija | - | |
| Sortie | - |
same personnel
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, April 24, 1964
| When Love Is New | Blue Note BLP 4193 | |
| The Egyptian | unissued | |
| It's a Long Way Down | - |
* Indestructible (Blue Note BLP 4193)
same personnel
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, May 15, 1964
|
The Egyptian | Blue Note BLP 4193 |
| Sortie | - | |
| Calling Miss Khadija | - | |
| Mr. Jin | - | |
| It's a Long Way Down | unissued | |
| In 1964, trumpeter Lee Morgan rejoined The Jazz Messengers, replacing his original replacement, Freddie Hubbard. The hard-swinging style of this influential unit remained unchanged with drummer/leader Art Blakey still insisting on distinctive solos and constant new material. Typically, the music on this fine LP consists of five then-recent compositions by bandmembers, one apiece from Morgan, pianist Cedar Walton ("When Love Is New") and tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter and two from trombonist Curtis Fuller. Enjoyable music. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Indestructible (Blue Note BLP 4193)
Lee Morgan (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Jackie McLean (as) McCoy Tyner (p) Bob Cranshaw (b) Art Blakey (d)
VGS-Englewood Cliffs, NJ, August 11, 1964
| Tom Cat | Blue Note LT 1058 | |
| Exotique | - | |
| Twice Around | - | |
| Twilight Mist | - | |
| Rigormortis | - |
* Tom Cat / Lee Morgan (Blue Note LT 1058)
Lee Morgan (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) John Gilmore (ts) John Hicks (p) Victor Sproles (b) Art Blakey (d)
Radio Recorders, Hollywood, CA, November 14, 16 & 25, 1964
|
Waltz for Ruth | Limelight LM 82001 |
| 31705 | 'S Make It | - |
| 31706 | Lament for Stacey | - |
| 31707 | Faith | - |
| - | Faith (edited ver.) | unissued |
| 31708 | Little Hughie | Limelight LM 82001 |
| 31709 | Olympia | - |
| 31710 | One for Gamal | - |
* 'S Make It (Limelight LM 82001)
Lee Morgan (tp) Curtis Fuller (tb) Buddy DeFranco (cl, bcl) Victor Feldman (p, vib) Victor Sproles (b) Art Blakey (d)
Hollywood, CA, December 1 & 3, 1964
| Twelve Tone Blues | Vee Jay VJS 2506 | |
| Rain Dance | - |
* Jazz of the Sixties, Vol. 2 - Blues Bag / Buddy DeFranco (Vee Jay VJS 2506)
Lucky Thompson (ss) John Hicks (p) Victor Sproles (b) Art Blakey (d)
NYC, April 21, 1965
|
Spot Session | Limelight LM 82018 |
* Soulfinger (Limelight LM 82018)
Freddie Hubbard (tp) Lee Morgan (tp, 2,3) Gary Bartz (as) John Hicks (p) Victor Sproles (b) Art Blakey (d)
NYC, May 12, 1965
|
|
Slowly But Surely | Limelight LM 82018 |
| 2. 36220 | Buh's Bossa | - |
| 3. 36221 | Soulfinger | - |
* Soulfinger (Limelight LM 82018)
Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan (tp) Gary Bartz (as) John Hicks (p) Victor Sproles (b) Art Blakey (d)
NYC, May 13, 1965
|
|
Freedom Monday | Limelight LM 82018 |
| 36223 | The Hub | - |
| 36224 | A Quiet Thing | - |
| After six years of very consistent personnel (with only a few gradual changes), Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1965 were in a state of transition. This particular LP found both Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard making farewell appearances on trumpet, pianist John Hicks and bassist Victor Sproles joining up as short-term members and veteran Lucky Thompson being well featured on both tenor and soprano sax. The music is more relaxed than usual but still contains some of that distinctive Jazz Messengers fire. This rare set is worth searching for. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Soulfinger (Limelight LM 82018)
Chuck Mangione (tp) Frank Mitchell (ts) Keith Jarrett (p) Reggie Workman (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Lighthouse Club'', Hermosa Beach, CA, January 1 & 9, 1966
|
Buttercorn Lady | Limelight LM 82034 |
| 35932 | Recuerdo | - |
| 35933 | The Theme | - |
| 35934 | Between Races | - |
| 35935 | My Romance | - |
| 35936 | Secret Love | - |
| Few jazz followers would think of trumpeter Chuck Mangione and pianist Keith Jarrett as former members of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, but in 1966, they both worked in the drummer's classic hard bop unit and the stint gave them needed exposure and helped the pair to develop their own individual voices. With tenor saxophonist Frank Mitchell and bassist Reggie Workman completing the quintet, this particular version of The Jazz Messengers only had the opportunity to record this one excellent live LP (which is currently out of print) but proved to be a worthy successor to their more acclaimed predecessors. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Buttercorn Lady (Limelight LM 82034)
Chuck Mangione (tp) Garnett Brown (tb, 1-3,7-10) Melba Liston (tb, 1-6) Tom McIntosh (tb, 7-10) Frank Mitchell (ts) Malcolm Bass (org) Grant Green (g) Reggie Johnson (b) Art Blakey (d) Johnny Rodriguez (cga)
NYC, May 27, 1966
| 1. 38108 | She Blew a Good Thing | Limelight LM 82038 |
| 2. 38109 | Day Dream | - |
| 3. 38110 | Mame | - |
| 4. 38111 | Got My Mojo Working | - |
| 5. 38112 | Secret Agent Man | - |
| 6. 38113 | Monday, Monday | - |
| 7. 38114 | I Can't Grow Peaches on a Cherry Tree | - |
| 8. 38115 | Walking My Cat Named Dog | - |
| 9. 38116 | Hold on, I'm Coming | - |
| 10. 38117 | Sakeena | - |
| One of the few out-and-out commercial recordings made by drummer Art Blakey during his long career, this attempt at jazzing up some pop tunes features so-so arrangements by Tom McIntosh and Melba Liston on such songs as "Hold on, I'm Coming," "Secret Agent Man," "Mame" and "Monday, Monday." A real curiosity (finding Blakey using organist Malcom Bass as a particularly unlikely sideman), it would not be an understatement to say that this is not one of the more essential Art Blakey recordings. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Hold on, I'm Coming (Limelight LM 82038)
Bill Hardman (tp) Julian Priester (tb) Billy Harper (ts) Ronnie Matthews (p) Larry Evans (b) Art Blakey (d)
|
Slide Delight | Trip TLP 5034 |
| You Don't Know What Love Is | ||
| Blues For Eros | ||
| Moanin | ||
| Blue Moon | ||
| Theme Song | ||
| This is a particularly obscure live set by Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, one not even listed in most discographies. The 1968 edition of Blakey's band was a strong if underrated unit consisting of the drummer/leader, trumpeter Bill Hardman, trombonist Julian Priester, tenor saxophonist Billy Harper, pianist Ronnie Mathews and bassist Lawrence Evans. This CD is well-recorded and is highlighted by "Slide's Delight," and Harper's ballad feature on "You Don't Know What Love Is," and a spirited remake of "Moanin." -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
MOANIN(LRC9052 )
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
Bill Hardman (tp) Julian Priester (tb) Billy Harper (ts) Ronnie Matthews (p) Larry Evans (b) Art Blakey (d)
``Slug's Saloon'', NYC, August, 1968
| New World | Trip TLP 5034 | |
| Angel Eyes | ||
| Slide, No. 2 | - | |
| The Theme | - | |
| After a decade of steady recording, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers found their hard bop music somewhat out-of-fashion by the late '60s; in fact, they only recorded two sessions (both live) between 1967-71. This particular one (a budget LP from Everest) is most unusual for the solos of tenor saxophonist Billy Harper are much more advanced than those of Blakey's usual sidemen. With trumpeter Bill Hardman, trombonist Julian Priester, pianist Ronnie Mathews and bassist Larry Evans completing the group, much of the music on these four selections is actually closer to free jazz than to hard bop, making this one of Blakey's most adventurous sets. -- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide | ||
* Live! (Trip TLP 5034)
Woody Shaw (tp) Carlos Garnett (ts) George Cables (p) Scott Holt (b) Art Blakey (d)
New Jersey, April 15, 1969
 |
A Night in Tunisia | Moon [It] MCD 032 2 |
| Original Theme | - |
* Mellow Blues (Moon [It] MCD 032 2)
Dizzy Gillespie (tp) Kai Winding (tb) Sonny Stitt (as, ts) Thelonious Monk (p) Alex Cafa (g) Al McKibbon (b) Art Blakey (d)
Paris, France, 1969
| Woody'n You | Moon [It] MCD 006 2 | |
| Groovin' High | - | |
| Don't Blame Me | - | |
| I Can't Get Started | - | |
| Lover Man | - | |
| Cush | - |
* Tour de Force / Stars of Bop (Moon [It] MCD 006 2)
