Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers' live recording UGETSU Performed Live at JRAC

The evening will feature live painting from visual artist TBA.

"Birdland, NYC June 16, 1963...The most famous jazz club in the world has a capacity of just 98. Those fortunate enough to have attended that night were treated to an incredible performance by Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers. Although it was Blakey who inaugurated the “Live At Birdland” genre of albums (which has grown to over 100 individual titles by now), Ugetsu proved to be his third and final recording there. I must say, they went out in style...Blakey was one of the finest drummers in jazz, but it was the people he surrounded himself with who were the real story. Blakey’s Jazz Messengers were always the cream of the crop. Much like it was with Miles Davis, a stint with Blakey could be considered something of a graduate course in musicianship...Right from the top, the band is on fire. The great Cedar Walton’s piano opens up “One By One,” the horns of Curtis Fuller (trombone), Freddie Hubbard (trumpet), and Wayne Shorter (sax) state the theme — then Blakey himself pounds a nice little drum break, opening the song up for a fine Shorter solo. Holding it all together is the rock-solid bass of Reggie Workman....Art Blakey’s status as a jazz legend was already set in stone when this album was recorded, so it is really no surprise just how good it is. But it truly is a powerhouse performance, from a band who together and individually would continue to shape the course of music for decades to come. Ugetsu is the real deal, folks — seriously cool beatnik-coffeehouse jazz for your pleasure."

~Greg Barbrick

Andrew Meyer - trombone

Andy Schlinder - tenor sax

Jon McQuade - trumpet

TBA - piano

Chris Nolte - acoustic bass

TBA - drums

7pm Doors

7:30pm Show

$15 Suggest Donation

FREE PARKING

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