People who love jazz music must have known the legend Art Blakey. Art Blakely started his career on jazz music, for him to succeed in this career he took up piano lessons. Art Blakey played music the whole time and he was also leading popular band. Until such time he started playing drums with the style of Ray Bauduc, he learns by himself on how to play it. Art went to Boston and lead a big band, with Billy Eckstine’s band in ST. Louis, he stays with the band from 1944-1947.
On that time he was considered the optimum musicians on jazz music’s. Sadly, the Eckstine’s band broke up, but it was the start of a new born band the Seventeen Messenger, and Blakey started this band. He also have interest in learning Islamic people that is why he went to Africa and learn about the people over a year. During 1950′s a year after Africa, Art Blakey performed with Clifford Brown, they performed together many times.
After that, He started another group with Horace, Kenny Dorham and Hank Mobley. They name their group as Jazz Messenger, after a year Horace left the group. Their group played hard-bop jazz; it was the start of blues music. Hard-bop jazz is a mixture of soul music and bebop with gospel. They have recorded albums and one of this is “Moanin”, it was recorded on Blue Note Records in 1958. There a lot of musicians that has been influenced with this kind of music.
He never thought that his music was similar to the African style, but he did use some of the African techniques like using his elbow on the tom-tom. Many jazz musicians copied this style with his trademark.
His style was unique; the way he played was innovative and aggressive. He was a top of the music until the 1970′s when rock music sprouted in the industry. He was the one who introduced jazz that until today young musicians listening to it to have ideas on their jazz music career.
By Brian E Howard