Art Blakey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Art Blakey
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Blakey, c. 1964
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Arthur Blakey |
| Also known as | Abdullah Ibn Buhaina |
| Born | October 11, 1919 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | October 16, 1990 (aged 71) Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
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| Years active | 1942–1990 |
| Labels | Blue Note |
Arthur "Art" Blakey (October 11, 1919 – October 16, 1990) was an amazing American jazz drummer and bandleader. He was also known as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina for a time. Art Blakey became famous in the 1940s playing with big bands. He later worked with legendary jazz musicians like Thelonious Monk and Charlie Parker.
In the mid-1950s, Blakey started a group called The Jazz Messengers. He led this band for 35 years. The Jazz Messengers became famous for helping young, talented musicians grow. Many future jazz stars got their start with Blakey. He is remembered as a key figure in hard bop jazz.
Blakey was honored in the DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame in 1981. After his death, he was inducted into the Modern Drummer Hall of Fame in 1991. He also joined the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998 and 2001. In 2005, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Contents
Who Was Art Blakey?
Art Blakey was a powerful and influential jazz drummer. He was born on October 11, 1919, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Blakey's musical journey began at a young age. He left school by seventh grade to play music full-time.
Early Life and Musical Start
Blakey learned to play piano in school and also taught himself. He switched from piano to drums in the early 1930s. One story says a club owner asked him to play drums so another musician, Erroll Garner, could play piano. Blakey developed an energetic drumming style. He was inspired by drummers like Chick Webb.
From 1939 to 1944, Blakey played with Mary Lou Williams. He also toured with the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra. While touring, Blakey suffered injuries that prevented him from serving in World War II. For a short time, he led his own band in Boston.
Building a Jazz Career
From 1944 to 1947, Blakey played with Billy Eckstine's big band. This group was important for the bebop movement. Many famous musicians were in this band, including Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie.
After the Eckstine band, Blakey traveled to Africa. He spent two years there, learning about different cultures and philosophies. During this time, he became interested in Islam and took the name Abdullah Ibn Buhaina. He was also known as "Bu."
In the 1950s, Blakey played with many jazz legends. He backed musicians like Davis, Parker, Gillespie, and Thelonious Monk. Many people consider him Monk's best drummer. He played on Monk's first and last recording sessions.
The Jazz Messengers: A Training Ground
On December 17, 1947, Blakey led his first recording session as a bandleader. The group was called "Art Blakey's Messengers." Later, he co-led a group with pianist Horace Silver. This group became known as "The Jazz Messengers."
Blakey took over the group when Silver left. The band's name eventually became "Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers." Blakey led this group for the rest of his life. It became a famous hard bop group. They played an exciting style of jazz with strong blues influences.
The Jazz Messengers were known for finding and developing young talent. Many future jazz stars started their careers with Blakey. These included Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, and Wynton Marsalis. Being a "Messenger" was a special achievement in the jazz world.
Later Years and Lasting Impact
Art Blakey recorded many albums with his changing lineup of Jazz Messengers. He always encouraged young musicians. He once said, "I'm gonna stay with the youngsters. When these get too old I'll get some younger ones. Keeps the mind active."
Even during the 1970s, when jazz styles changed, Blakey kept his band going. He continued to perform and tour through the late 1980s. Blakey had some hearing issues later in life. However, he continued to play with incredible energy. His final performances were in July 1990.
Art Blakey's Unique Drumming Style
Blakey had an aggressive and powerful drumming style. He is considered one of the creators of modern bebop drumming. Fellow drummer Max Roach called him "Thunder." Roach noted Blakey's unique timing and amazing signature style.
Blakey was excellent at playing different rhythms with all four of his limbs. He used a dark cymbal sound. He also added loud snare and bass drum accents. After visiting Africa, he used some African drumming techniques. These included tapping on the side of the drum. He also used his elbow on the tom-tom to change its sound.
His Family and Interests
Art Blakey had a large family. He was a father to ten children: Gwendolyn, Evelyn, Jackie, Kadijah, Sakeena, Akira, Art Jr., Takashi, Kenji, and Gamal. Besides music, Blakey loved telling stories. He also enjoyed food and the sport of boxing. A friend, Sandy Warren, later shared stories and recipes from when Blakey lived with her and his son, Takashi.
Remembering Art Blakey
Art Blakey passed away on October 16, 1990, in Manhattan, New York. He died from lung cancer. His funeral was held at the Abyssinian Baptist Church. Many past Jazz Messengers performed a tribute. Musicians like Wynton Marsalis and Dizzy Gillespie honored him.
Blakey's legacy is not just his music. It's also the many opportunities he gave to jazz musicians. He helped shape the hard bop movement. He also influenced the neotraditionalist movement of the 1980s and 1990s. Drummer Cindy Blackman said, "When jazz was in danger of dying out [during the 1970s], there was still a scene. Art kept it going."
Awards and Recognitions
Art Blakey received many awards for his contributions to jazz music:
- DownBeat Jazz Hall of Fame Reader's Choice Award (1981)
- Jazz Hall of Fame Induction (1982)
- Grammy Award Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Group, for the album New York Scene (1984)
- Grammy Hall of Fame Induction for the single "Moanin'" (1998)
- Grammy Hall of Fame Induction for the album Moanin (2001)
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2005; awarded after his death)
Discography
See also
In Spanish: Art Blakey para niños
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