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Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: The Sesjun Radio Shows

By Dan McClenaghan
April 11, 2011
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Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: The Sesjun Radio Shows

The old and irksome "but is it jazz" argument has probably never been brought into play when it comes to drummer/bandleader Art Blakey (1919-1990) and his ever-changing line-up of

The Jazz Messengers

" data-original-title="" title="">The Jazz Messengers. The music Blakey and his usually young players made was most certainly jazz, of the hard bop, hard-charging variety—brash and brightly hued, and joyously swinging.

The Jazz Messengers, active from the early 1950s until the mid-'80s, was an on-the-job Jazz university, graduating such luminaries as

Clifford Brown

trumpet
b.1930

" data-original-title="" title="">Clifford Brown,

Curtis Fuller

trombone
1934 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Curtis Fuller,

Lee Morgan

trumpet
1938 - 1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Morgan,

Wayne Shorter

saxophone
1933 - 2023

" data-original-title="" title="">Wayne Shorter,

Branford Marsalis

saxophone
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Branford Marsalis and

Wynton Marsalis

trumpet
b.1961

" data-original-title="" title="">Wynton Marsalis,

Donald Byrd

trumpet
1932 - 2013

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Byrd,

Hank Mobley

saxophone, tenor
1930 - 1986

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Mobley and

Benny Golson

saxophone, tenor
1929 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Golson,

Bobby Timmons

piano
1935 - 1974

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Timmons.

The Sesjun Radio Shows captures later stage Blakey bands, recorded live for the Dutch radio show Tros Sesjun in 1978, 1980, and 1983. The star level of the personnel may not be as high as earlier Messenger configurations, but the music remains remarkably consistent under Blakey's taskmaster leadership.

The first set, broadcast in December, 1978, opens with alto saxophonist

Bobby Watson

saxophone, alto
b.1953

" data-original-title="" title="">Bobby Watson's "Time Will Tell." Another Blakey trait was his ability to mine his band members' songwriting skills for his group. The tune is bright and up-tempo, rolling in on some unison trumpet/alto blowing, before Watson sears into a hot sax solo, demonstrating another Blakey band characteristic: these guys solo with supreme confidence. The three horn men in the front line each get their turns—Watson, trumpeter

Valery Ponomarev

trumpet
b.1943

" data-original-title="" title="">Valery Ponomarev and tenor saxophonist

David Schnitter

saxophone
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">David Schnitter—while behind them, the rest of the Messengers maintain a steady, high-speed cruise control.

Some of the more familiar tunes offered up on the three sets include

Benny Golson

saxophone, tenor
1929 - 2024

" data-original-title="" title="">Benny Golson's "Along Came Betty," the classic "Stairway to the Stars," Shorter's "Free for All," the Great American Songbook jewel "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," and, of course, Blakey's signature song, "Moanin,'" from the pen of Bobby Timmons.

Of special note is the third set, four tunes that feature trumpeter

Terence Blanchard

trumpet
b.1962

" data-original-title="" title="">Terence Blanchard, who doubled as musical director when Blakey's drinking began interfere with his ability in that area (though not in his playing). The band sounds a bit smoother and more together here, more refined, the "hard" in the hard bop polished down just a bit, with everybody—Blakey included—in the finest of form.

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Track Listing

CD1: Time Will Tell; E.T.A.; My One and Only Love; Dr. J.; Evaline; Along Came Betty; Stairway to the Stars; Free for All. CD2: Blues March; 1977 A.D.; Little Man; Polka Dots and Moonbeams; Moanin'; The Theme.

Personnel

Art Blakey

drums

Art Blakey: drums;David Schnitter: tenor sax (CD1#1-5); Valery Ponomarev: trumpet (CD1#1-8; CD2#1-2); Bobby Watson: alto sax (CD1#1-8; CD2#1-2); James Williams: piano: CD1#1-8; CD2#1-2); Dennis Irwin: bass (CD1#1-6); Billy Pierce: tenor sax (CD1#7-8; CD2#1-2); Charles Fambrough: bass (CD1#7-8; CD2#1-6); Jean Toussaint: trumpet (CD2#3-6); Terence Blanchard: trumpet (CD2#3-6); Donald Harrison: alto sax (CD2#3-6); Johnny O'Neal: piano (CD2#3-6).

Album information

Title: The Sesjun Radio Shows | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: Naxos

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