Jazz Messengers

Full performer name: Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey (drums); Hank Mobley (tenor saxophone); Donald Byrd (trumpet); Horace Silver (piano); Doug Watkins (bass).
Producer: George Avakian.
Reissue producer: Michael Cuscuna.
Recorded at Columbia 30th Street Studio, New York, New York on April 6 and May 4, 1956. Includes liner notes by Kenny Washington.
Digitally remastered by Debra Parkinson (Sony Music Studios, New York, New York).
The 1956 version of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers was short-lived but, nonetheless, one of the most influential groups of jazz history. Recorded in the spring of that year, this is the only major documentation of this combo consisting of Blakey, Horace Silver, Hank Mobley, Donald Byrd and Doug Watkins. Seminal Silver compositions such as "Nica's Dream" and "Ecaroh" are played beautifully. Also, several of Mobley's works, including the hard swinging "Infra-Rae," "Deciphering The Message" and "Carol's Interlude" produce stunning improvisations by each member. Blakey's direction and musicality make this a masterpiece by one of the most important ensembles ever assembled.