Jason Byrne It was 1983 or ’84. I was 16 or 17 years old and studying drums with a somewhat famous teacher/guru in NYC by the ...

Jazz fans know the Jazz Messengers is the definitive, go-to band for straight-ahead hard bop. Art Blakey was both master drummer and master talent scout--the man who co-founded and sustained the ...

Blakey led his band for almost 40 years, making many classic records with top musicians. Just Coolin', a newly unearthed 1959 recorded studio session, showcases his stylistic precision. This is FRESH ...

My fellow Americans, jazz fans, and NPR Music browsers around the globe: There is a U.S. presidential election contest going on, as I'm sure you've noticed. But I come to you today on the birthday ...

WILLIAMSTOWN — George Cables remembers the night of his first gig with Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. It was 1969 and the 24-year-old piano player had just joined the group at the recommendation of ...

Together, these three titles documenting four dates, each featuring a different configuration of the Jazz Messengers, clearly demonstrate Art Blakey's ability to instigate his young charges' ...

Back in 2018, when jazz fans heard that a previously unreleased John Coltrane album was set to come out, they immediately zeroed in on the date. Not just a powerhouse drummer — known for his driving ...

LAFAYETTE — Bob Athayde loves the Golden State Warriors. He loves their camaraderie, teamwork and spirit even more. As the director of music education at Stanley Middle School, Athayde believes his ...

The Jazz Messengers, who made a fervent, high-energy bebop under drummer Art Blakey's leadership for 35 years and talent-spotted emerging stars all the way from Wayne Shorter to Wynton Marsalis, was ...

Music enthusiasts in Elgin are in for a treat as The Guest List, a talented jazz ensemble, will perform “A Tribute to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers” on Sunday, March 23. The performance will be ...

My fellow Americans, jazz fans, and NPR Music browsers around the globe: There is a U.S. presidential election contest going on, as I'm sure you've noticed. But I come to you today on the birthday ...