Art Blakey & Jazz Messengers
Keystone 3

LA RECENSIONE

The Jazz Messengers of Art Blakey are a band that needs no introduction, being among the most important and long-standing in the jazz world. A band that, since the late '50s, has included many great musicians in its ranks, often playing a decisive role in their success.

In this album, recorded live in 1982, the young future stars that Blakey was promoting during those years were the Marsalis brothers. Wynton had been part of the group for a few years, while Branford was, in this context, making his recording debut with the Messengers, where he remained for some time.
The repertoire is a sophisticated 'mainstream' very swinging, excellently arranged, within which we can listen to historical tracks, like "In Walked Bud" by T. Monk, or Ellington's "In a Sentimental Mood", alongside original compositions including one by Wynton Marsalis himself and one by Bobby Watson, former arranger and saxophonist of the band.

The album maintains a high level throughout its duration and already showcases the notable technique of the emerging twenty-year-old Wynton,  who later became one of the most esteemed trumpeters. Less imaginative is his brother Branford on alto sax. The tenor saxophonist Bill Pierce, although excellently expressive, seems a bit challenged in this fast-paced band. In addition to being available on CD, Pure Audiophile presents it on two 180-gram LPs in excellent quality red vinyl with a very natural sound.

Tracklist:
01. In Walked Bud (T. Monk) - 8:12
02. In A Sentimental Mood (D. Ellington) - 7:01
03. Fuller Love (B. Watson) - 8:43
04. Waterfalls (W. Marsalis) - 11:12
05. A la mode (C. Fuller) - 10:22

Musicians:
Art Blakey (drums)
Donald Brown (piano)
Charles Fambrough (double bass)
Branford Marsalis (alto sax)
Wynton Marsalis (trumpet)
Bill Pierce (tenor sax)