Art Blakey (1919 - 1990) is considered one of the drum pioneers of modern jazz, along with Kenny Clarke, Max Roach and Philly Joe Jones

He learned his craft from none other than Chick Webb, and played in the Fletcher Henderson Orchestra and for Billy Eckstine, among others, in whose band he met bebop heroes such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Dexter Gordon

In the fifties he was one of the most sought-after studio drummers and played for Thelonious Monk, among others, and from 1954 he started the Jazz Messengers with pianist Horace Silver, which he later led alone. He established the JM as a unique institution of harmonic, rhythmically rooted modern jazz, with which he was able to successfully proclaim his message worldwide on record and tour, away from all musical fashion, until the end of his life

Over the years, the best hardbop musicians appeared in the ranks of JM, even offside Blakey proved his skills as a talent scout with discovery of the Marsalis brothers and Keith Jarret. Our collection begins with the nucleus of the JM, the 1954 live recordings with Horace Silver and the unforgettable trumpeter Clifford Brown, who died so young. In addition, this collection allows to discover some rare treasures. But the main focus is on Art Blakey's energetic live performances

Featuring saxophonists Johnny Griffin, Hank Mobley, Jackie McLean, Benny Golson and Wayne Shorter, trumpeters Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard, trombonist Curtis Fuller, and pianists Walter Davis Jr. and Cedar Walton.

CD 1: A Night At Birdland Vol. 1 / A Night At Byrdland Vol. 2
CD 2: Drum Suite / Selections From Lerner And Loewe
CD 3: Au Club St. Germain Vol. 1
CD 4: Au Club St. Germain Vol. 2
CD 5: At The Jazz Corner Of The World Vol. 1 & 2
CD 6: Blakey In Paris
CD 7: Meet You At The Jazz Corner Of The World I
CD 8: Meet You At The Jazz Corner Of The World II
CD 9: Art Blakey!!! Jazz Messengers!!! / Caravan
CD 10: Three Blind Mice