Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers

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Jazz 625, a rewarding British television series, featured many of the top jazz artists of the mid-1960s in full-length performances.

One of the lesser-known but most rewarding editions of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers is showcased performing “On The Ginza,” “Lament For Stacey,” “The Egyptian,” “I Can’t Get Started” and “Buhaina’s Delight” before an appreciative audience.

Trumpeter Lee Morgan (in his second period with Blakey) and tenor-saxophonist John Gilmore (during one of his brief periods away from Sun Ra) are both in outstanding form while pianist John Hicks and bassist Victor Sproles form a solid rhythm section with Blakey.

Hard Bop fans will definitely want to see this.

Personnel:

Art Blakey, drums
Lee Morgan, trumpet
John Gilmore, tenor
John Hicks, piano
Victor Sproles, bass

– Scott Yanow

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