Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers by Cabu

For over three decades, the "Jazz Messengers" played a pivotal role in spreading the magic of jazz across the globe. This group, often seen as a quintet or sextet, was founded in 1954 by the drummer Art Blakey and pianist Horace Silver. Guided by Blakey from 1956 onward, it became the standard-bearer for a dynamic musical expression that proudly championed the essential virtues of jazz— the rhythmic swing and the soulful hues of the blues.

Art Blakey's "messengers" also served as a breeding ground for a plethora of remarkable talents: trumpeters Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard; saxophonists Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson, Wayne Shorter; pianists Bobby Timmons, Cedar Walton, Keith Jarrett, Donald Brown, Mulgrew Miller, to name just a few who gained prominence within its ranks.

The Jazz Messengers were not only influential among connoisseurs but also managed to captivate a diverse audience. The final track in our selection, spanning the initial four years of the ensemble, stands as a testament to their enduring presence in collective memories.