Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers

• 2-LP SET - 3 SIDE EDITION

• 180 GRAM VINYL

• REMASTERED FROM THE ORIGINAL MASTER TAPES

• DELUXE GATEFOLD JACKET WITH PHOTOS

"I've never played for such an audience" declared Art Blakey in tears. lt was November 22, 1958, and he'd just come offstage after one of the "Jazz Wednesdays" concerts at the Paris Olympia. For a first appearance by the "Jazz Messengers," they'd made quite an impression. Not content with pulling a huge crowd off the Boulevard des Capucines (the demand was so great that a second concert had to be staged on December 17), they'd converted everybody to the "Hard Bop" religion in two sets where, united in a kind of exultant communion, jazzmen, jazzophiles and curious bystanders alike had been crushed together in high spirits, paying no attention to the presence of Brigitte Bardot escorted by Sacha Distel.

Among the Messengers' "greatest hits," only "Moanin'" came close to "Blues March." Constructed in the manner of a gospel, with the piano in the role of the preacher, and the orchestra that of the congregation, punctuating the sermon with shouts of approval, the theme was by pianist Bobby Timmons, whose fiery spirit can be explained by his education: "... the fact I played rhythm and blues had a great influence on my style, and for me, it's the foundation of jazz." "Moanin'" had sent the Olympia fans Into transports of delight, and even excited the curiosity of Hugues Panassié, who chanced to be passing by ("Bop", in any form, being hardly his cup of tea) : he was prompted to go backstage and ask what it was he'd heard... Decidedly, in 1958, the Jazz Messengers were miracle-workers!

PERSONNEL:

• Lee Morgan - (trumpet)
• Benny Golson - (tenor saxophone)
• Bobby Timmons - (piano)
• Jimmy Merritt - (bass)
• Art Blakey - (drums)

Recorded in Paris, November 22 and December 17, 1958

TRACKS:

• SIDE A
• A1 Just by Myself
• A2. I Remember Clifford
• A3. Are you Real

• SIDE B
• B1. Moanin’
• B2. Justice

• SIDE C
• C1. Blues March
• C2. Whisper Not