Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey (drums); Jon Hendricks (vocals); Carter Jefferson (tenor saxophone); Woody Shaw (trumpet); Steve Turre (trombone); Cedar Walton (acoustic & electric pianos); Michael Howell (guitar); Mickey Bass (bass); Tony Waters (congas).Recorded at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California from March 26-29, 1973. Includes liner notes by Orrin Keepnews.Digitally remastered by Phil De Lancie (1995, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).This 1973 recording of Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers was made during a transitional time for jazz. The climate of fusion was making an impact on the jazz scene, which itself had been severely overshadowed by the gargantuan pop music culture. Still, Art Blakey remained relatively true to his original style, bringing his message of swinging bop to the world. Therefore, it is of no small importance that the title of this session be the fitting MISSION ETERNAL.Making special appearances on the disc, recorded at the famed Fantasy Studios in California, are the wonderfully talented trumpeter Woody Shaw, a young Steve Turre on trombone, and ex-Messenger Cedar Walton. In an unusual move for a Messengers session, legendary vocalist Jon Hendricks shows his stuff on two classic Messengers compositions, Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'" and Benny Golson's "Along Came Betty." For his part, Blakey is Blakey: a powerful mix of primal ferocity, musical taste, and hard-driving swing. Although this wasn't Blakey and the Messengers' most prolific period, it is nevertheless an essential step in their continuing MISSION.

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey (drums); Jon Hendricks (vocals); Carter Jefferson (tenor saxophone); Woody Shaw (trumpet); Steve Turre (trombone); Cedar Walton (acoustic & electric pianos); Michael Howell (guitar); Mickey Bass (bass); Tony Waters (congas).
Recorded at Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California from March 26-29, 1973. Includes liner notes by Orrin Keepnews.
Digitally remastered by Phil De Lancie (1995, Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California).
This 1973 recording of Art Blakey and his Jazz Messengers was made during a transitional time for jazz. The climate of fusion was making an impact on the jazz scene, which itself had been severely overshadowed by the gargantuan pop music culture. Still, Art Blakey remained relatively true to his original style, bringing his message of swinging bop to the world. Therefore, it is of no small importance that the title of this session be the fitting MISSION ETERNAL.
Making special appearances on the disc, recorded at the famed Fantasy Studios in California, are the wonderfully talented trumpeter Woody Shaw, a young Steve Turre on trombone, and ex-Messenger Cedar Walton. In an unusual move for a Messengers session, legendary vocalist Jon Hendricks shows his stuff on two classic Messengers compositions, Bobby Timmons' "Moanin'" and Benny Golson's "Along Came Betty." For his part, Blakey is Blakey: a powerful mix of primal ferocity, musical taste, and hard-driving swing. Although this wasn't Blakey and the Messengers' most prolific period, it is nevertheless an essential step in their continuing MISSION.