The Jazz Messengers discography

The Jazz Messengers were a jazz band that existed with varying personnel for 35 years. Their discography consists of 47 studio albums, 21 live albums, 2 soundtracks, 6 compilations, and one boxed set.

The Jazz Messengers discography
Studio albums47
Live albums21
Compilation albums6
Soundtrack albums2

Drummer Art Blakey was the leader or co-leader of the group throughout its existence. He is the drummer on all Jazz Messengers recordings and is therefore elided from personnel listings. Members recorded as either a quintet or sextet except for one 11-piece big band appearance and their expansion to a septet at the end.

The earliest recordings of the original Messengers were on Blue Note Records; all of the original Messengers (except bassist Doug Watkins) had released albums under their own name on the label. Blue Note 1518 was a reissue of two previously released 10" LPs credited to The Horace Silver Quintet.

A few recordings on Columbia Records followed with a couple different formations. As the second Messengers lineup stabilized they recorded for the RCA sub-label Vik Records, interspersed with one-off recordings for Cadet Records, Jubilee Records, and Atlantic.

Starting in 1959, a new lineup with Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, Bobby Timmons, Jymie Merritt, and later Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, and Curtis Fuller would see the group return to Blue Note for several years. This group also traveled to Europe where a couple albums on the French Fontana Records appeared. In 1961, there was a single album on Impulse! Records. In 1963 the first of three releases appeared on Riverside Records, while new releases on Blue Note continued to be issued.

After Wayne Shorter departed for Miles Davis's Second Great Quintet, the band signed with Quincy Jones' Mercury sub-label Limelight Records for three more releases starting in 1965.

Except for a 1970 release on the obscure Catalyst, and various bootlegs, the band did not release a recording between 1966 and 1972, when they re-appeared on Prestige Records for three more albums. In 1975 the band released an album with guest artist Sonny Stitt on the Swedish Sonet Records, then came two albums on Roulette Records in 1976 and 1978.

Starting in 1978, the band began to release albums on the Dutch Timeless Records and the Concord Jazz subsidiary of Concord Records. These groups included a changing lineup of young jazz musicians such as: Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, Wallace Roney, Mulgrew Miller, and Lonnie Plaxico.

Near the end, there were two albums on the Italian Soul Note label, and the final album on A&M Records. The Jazz Messengers came to an end with the death of Blakey in 1990.

Studio albums

Albums are listed in order of earliest recording session. Some albums were not released for many years after their recording. The formats listed are the formats issued at the original release date. Most of the albums have been reissued on compact disc, many with additional tracks. Some albums have also been reissued or repackaged on varying labels and formats. See the specific album articles for reissue information.

Album Album Details Personnel Notes
The Jazz Messengers
  • Released: 1956
  • Recorded: April 5, and May 4, 1956
  • Label: Columbia (CL 897)
  • Format: LP
Hard Bop
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: December 12 and 13, 1956
  • Label: Columbia (CL 1040)
  • Format: LP
Ritual
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: January 14 and February 11, 1957
  • Label: Pacific Jazz (PJM-402)
  • Format: LP
The liner notes state that Pacific Jazz got this record in exchange for Columbia getting a record by Chet Baker.[1]
Tough!
  • Released: 1966
  • Recorded: Spring, 1957
  • Label: Cadet (4049)
  • Format: LP
Selections from Lerner and Loewe's...
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: March 13, 1957
  • Label: Vik Records (1103)
  • Format: LP
A Night in Tunisia
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: April 8, 1957
  • Label: Vik Records (1115)
  • Format: LP
Jackie McLean is credited as "Ferris Benda."[2]
Cu-Bop
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: May 13, 1957
  • Label: Jubilee (1049)
  • Format: LP
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk
  • Released: 1958
  • Recorded: May 14 and 15, 1957
  • Label: Atlantic (LP 1278 [Mono], SD 1278 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Hard Drive
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: August 9 and 11, 1957
  • Label: Bethlehem (6023)
  • Format: LP
Moanin'
  • Released: 1959
  • Recorded: October 30, 1958
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4003 [Mono], BST 4003 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Though known as Moanin', the album was officially released as Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.[3]
The Big Beat
  • Released: 1960
  • Recorded: March 3, 1960
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4029 [Mono], BST 84029 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
  • Format: LP
Bobby Timmons returns to the Messengers, after a short engagement with Cannonball Adderley.[4]
Like Someone in Love
  • Released: 1966
  • Recorded: August 7 and 14, 1960
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4245 [Mono], BST 84245 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
A Night in Tunisia
  • Released: 1960
  • Recorded: August 7 and 14, 1960
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4049 [Mono], BST 84049 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
The Freedom Rider
  • Released: 1962
  • Recorded: February 18 and May 27, 1961
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4156 [Mono], BST 84156 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Roots & Herbs
  • Released: 1970
  • Recorded: February 18 and May 27, 1961
  • Label: Blue Note (BST 84347)
  • Format: LP
The Witch Doctor
  • Released: 1967
  • Recorded: March 14, 1961
  • Label: Blue Note (BST 84258)
  • Format: LP
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers
  • Released: 1961
  • Recorded: June 13 and 14, 1961
  • Label: Impulse! (A-7)
  • Format: LP
Mosaic
  • Released 1961
  • Recorded: October 2, 1961
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4090 [Mono], BST 84090 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Buhaina's Delight
  • Released: 1963
  • Recorded: November 28 and December 18, 1961
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4104 [Mono], BST 84104 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Caravan
  • Released: 1963
  • Recorded: October 23 and 24, 1962
  • Label: Riverside (RLP 438 [Mono], RS 8438 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Golden Boy
  • Released: 1963
  • Recorded: 1963
  • Label: Colpix (CP 478 [Mono], SCP 478 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Free for All
  • Released: 1964
  • Recorded: February 10, 1964
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4170 [Mono], BST 84170 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Kyoto
  • Released: 1964
  • Recorded: February 20, 1964
  • Label: Riverside (RLP 493 [Mono], RS 9493 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Indestructible
  • Released: 1965
  • Recorded: April 24 and May 15, 1964
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4192 [Mono], BST 84193 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
'S Make It
  • Released: 1965
  • Recorded: November 14, 16 and 25, 1964
  • Label: Limelight (LM 82001 [Mono], LS 86001 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Soul Finger
  • Released: 1965
  • Recorded: April 21 and May 12 and 13, 1965
  • Label: Limelight (LM 82018 [Mono] LS 86018 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Child's Dance
  • Released: 1972
  • Recorded: May 23 and July 28, 1972
  • Label: Prestige (P 10047)
  • Format: LP
Buhaina
  • Released: 1973
  • Recorded: March 26–29, 1973
  • Label: Prestige (P 10067)
  • Format: LP
Anthenagin
  • Released: 1973
  • Recorded: March 26–29, 1973
  • Label: Prestige (P 10076)
  • Format: LP
Steve Turre is listed as "Steve Turley" on the album.[5]
In Walked Sonny
  • Released: 1975
  • Recorded: May 16, 1975
  • Label Sonet (SNTF 691)
  • Format: LP
Backgammon
  • Released: 1976
  • Recorded: March 15 and 16, 1976
  • Label: Roulette (SR 5003)
  • Format: LP
Gypsy Folk Tales
  • Released: 1977
  • Recorded: February 12, 17, 28 and March 1, 1977
  • Label: Roulette (SR 5008)
  • Format: LP
In My Prime Vol. 1
  • Released: 1978
  • Recorded: December 29, 1977
  • Label: Timeless (SJP 114)
  • Format: LP
In My Prime Vol. 2
  • Released: 1978
  • Recorded: December 30, 1977
  • Label: Timeless (SJP 118)
  • Format: LP
Reflections in Blue
  • Released: 1979
  • Recorded: December 4, 1978
  • Label: Timeless (SJP 128)
  • Format: LP
Night in Tunisia: Digital Recording
  • Released: 1979
  • Recorded: February 12, 1979
  • Label: Philips (6385 943)
  • Format: LP
Album of the Year
  • Released: 1981
  • Recorded: April 12, 1981
  • Label: Timeless (SJP 155)
  • Format: LP
Oh-By the Way
  • Released: 1982
  • Recorded: May 20, 1982
  • Label: Timeless (SJP 165)
  • Format: LP
New York Scene
  • Released: 1984
  • Recorded: May, 1984
  • Label: Concord Jazz (CJ 256)
  • Format: LP
Blue Night
  • Released: 1985
  • Recorded: March 17, 1985
  • Label: Timeless (SJP 217)
  • Format: LP, CD
Feeling Good
  • Released: 1986
  • Recorded: September 8 and 9, 1986
  • Label: Delos (D/CD 4007)
  • Format: CD
Not Yet
  • Released: 1988
  • Recorded: March 19, 1988
  • Label: Soul Note (SN 1105)
  • Format: LP, CD
I Get a Kick Out of Bu
  • Released: 1988
  • Recorded: November 11, 1988
  • Label: Soul Note (SN 1155)
  • Format: LP, CD
Chippin' In
  • Released: 1990
  • Recorded: February 1 and 2, 1990
  • Label: Timeless (SJP 340)
  • Format: CD, LP
One for All
  • Released: 1990
  • Recorded: April 10 and 11, 1990
  • Label: A&M (75021 5329-2)
  • Format: CD

Live albums

Album Album Details Personnel Notes
At the Cafe Bohemia, Vol. 1
  • Released: 1956
  • Recorded: November 23, 1955
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 1507)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Café Bohemia, New York City
At the Cafe Bohemia, Vol. 2
  • Released: 1956
  • Recorded: November 23, 1955
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 1508)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Café Bohemia, NYC
A Midnight Session with the Jazz Messengers
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: March 8 and 9, 1957
  • Label: Elektra (ELK 120)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Carl Fischer Concert Hall, NYC
1958 – Paris Olympia
  • Released: 1959
  • Recorded: November 22 and December 17, 1958
  • Label: Fontana (680 202)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Olympia, Paris, France
Art Blakey et les Jazz-Messengers au club St. Germain
  • Released: 1959
  • Recorded: December 21, 1958
  • Label: RCA (France) (430.043)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Club Saint-Germain, Paris, France
At the Jazz Corner of the World, Vols. 1 & 2
  • Released: 1959
  • Recorded: April 15, 1959
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4015, BLP 4016 [Mono]; BST 84014, BST 84016 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Birdland, NYC
Art Blakey et les Jazz Messengers au Théâtre des Champs-Élysées
  • Released: 1960
  • Recorded: November 15, 1959
  • Label: RCA (France) (430.054)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France
Paris Jam Session
  • Released: 1960
  • Recorded: December 18, 1959
  • Label: Fontana (680 207)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, Paris, France
Meet You at the Jazz Corner of the World, Vols. 1 and 2
  • Released: 1961
  • Recorded: September 14, 1960
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 4054, BLP 4055 [Mono]; BST 84054, BST 84055 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Birdland, NYC
First Flight to Tokyo
  • Released: 2021 (November 5)
  • Recorded: January 14, 1961
  • Label: Blue Note
  • Format: LP/CD
Recorded at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan
Three Blind Mice
  • Released: 1962
  • Recorded: March 18, 1962
  • Label: United Artists (UAJ 14002 [Mono], UAJS 15002 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Recorded live at the Renaissance Club in Hollywood, CA.[6]
Ugetsu
  • Released: 1963
  • Recorded: June 16, 1963
  • Label: Riverside (RLP 464 [Mono], RS 9464 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Birdland, NYC[7]
Buttercorn Lady
  • Released: 1966
  • Recorded: January 1 and 9, 1966
  • Label: Limelight (LM 82034 [Mono] LS 86034 [Stereo])
  • Format: LP
Recorded at The Lighthouse, Hermosa Beach, CA
Jazz Messengers '70
  • Released: 1970
  • Recorded: February 19, 1970
  • Label: Catalyst (CAT 7902)
  • Format: LP
Recorded in Victor Studio 1, Tokyo, Japan
In This Korner
  • Released: 1978
  • Recorded: May 8, 1978
  • Label: Concord Jazz (CJ 68)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at Keystone Korner, San Francisco
One by One
  • Released: 1981
  • Recorded: November 4, 1979
  • Label: Palcoscenico (15005)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at CIAK, Milan, Italy
Live at Montreux and Northsea
  • Released: 1980
  • Recorded: July 13 and 17, 1980
  • Label: Timeless (SJP 150)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at the Montreux Jazz Festival, Switzerland & North Sea Jazz Festival, The Netherlands
Art Blakey in Sweden
  • Released: 1981
  • Recorded: March 9, 1981
  • Label: Amigo (AMPL 839)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at the Södra Teatern, Stockholm, Sweden
Straight Ahead
  • Released: 1981
  • Recorded: June, 1981
  • Label: Concord Jazz (CJ 168, CCD 4168)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at the Keystone Korner, San Francisco
Keystone 3
  • Released: 1982
  • Recorded: January, 1982
  • Label: Concord Jazz (CJ 196 CCD 4196)
  • Format: LP
Recorded at the Keystone Korner, San Francisco
Live at Ronnie Scott's 1985
  • Released: 2000
  • Recorded: February 18, 1985
  • Label: BBC Legends (BBCJ 7003-2)
  • Format: CD
Recorded at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, UK
Live at Ronnie Scott's
  • Released: 1985
  • Recorded: February 25, 1985
  • Label: DRG (91444)
  • Format: CD
Recorded at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, London, UK
Live at Sweet Basil Recorded at Sweet Basil Jazz Club, NYC
Live at Kimball's
  • Released: 1985
  • Recorded: April 13, 1985
  • Label: Concord Jazz (CJ 307, CCD 4307)
  • Format: LP, CD, CS
Recorded at Kimball's, San Francisco
The Art of Jazz: Live in Leverkusen
  • Released: 1989
  • Recorded: October 9, 1989
  • Label: IN+OUT (77028-2)
  • Format: CD
Recorded at Leverkusen Jazz Festival, Germany
Swiss Radio Days Jazz Series, Vol. 6: Lausanne 1960, 2nd Set
  • Released: 1996
  • Recorded: December 8, 1960
  • Label: TCB Records (TCB 02062)
  • Format: CD[8]
Recorded at Théâtre de Beaulieu, Lausanne, Switzerland

Soundtracks

Album Album Details Personnel Notes
Des Femmes Disparaissent
  • Released: 1959
  • Recorded: December 18 and 19, 1958
  • Label: Fontana (660 224)
  • Format: LP
Les liaisons dangereuses 1960
  • Released: 1960
  • Recorded: July 25 and 29, 1959
  • Label: Fontana (680 203)
  • Format: LP

Compilation albums

Album Album Details Personnel Notes
Horace Silver and the Jazz Messengers
  • Released: 1956
  • Recorded: December 13, 1954 and February 6, 1955
  • Label: Blue Note (BLP 1518)
  • Format: LP
This album is a reissue of two Blue Note 10" records, numbers 5058 and 5062; Horace Silver Quintet Vols. 1 & 2.
The Cool Voice of Rita Reys
  • Released: 1956
  • Recorded: May 3, and June 25, 1956
  • Label: Columbia (CL 903)
  • Format: LP
Jazz Messengers back up Rita Reys for half of this record.[9]
The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Art Blakey’s 1960 Jazz Messengers[10]
Originally
  • Released: 1982
  • Recorded: April 5, May 4, June 25, December 12, 1956
  • Label: Columbia (FC 38036)
  • Format: LP
Drum Suite
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: December 13, 1956
  • Label: Columbia (CL 1002)
  • Format: LP
Side 1 is the Art Blakey Percussion Ensemble, recorded February 22, 1957, side two is the Jazz Messengers, credited separately, in the notes.[11]
Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers\The Elmo Hope Quintet Featuring Harold Land
  • Released: 1957
  • Recorded: January 14 and February 11, 1957
  • Label: Pacific Jazz (PJ-33)
  • Format: LP
Split record with Elmo Hope. Additional tracks from PJM-402.
Just Coolin'
  • Released: April 24, 2020
  • Recorded: March 8, 1959
  • Label: Blue Note
  • Format LP, CD, digital download
Shelved because the content is similar to At the Jazz Corner of the World
Africaine
  • Released: 1981
  • Recorded: October 10, 1959
  • Label: Blue Note (LT 1088)
  • Format: LP
Pisces
  • Released: 1979
  • Recorded: February 12 and May 27, 1961 and April 15, 1964
  • Label: King (Japan) (GFX-3060)
  • Format: LP
Live Messengers
  • Released: 1978
  • Recorded: August 17, 1961 and March 8, 1962
  • Label: Blue Note (BN-LA472-J2)
  • Format: LP
This 2 record set also contains previously unreleased tracks from the proto-Messengers A Night at Birdland featuring Clifford Brown from February 12, 1954.[12]

Notes

  1. Michel, Ed (1957). Ritual (liner notes). PJM 402. Jazz Messengers; Blakey, Art. Pacific Jazz Records.
  2. Hentoff, Nat (1957). A Night in Tunisia (liner notes). LX 1115. Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Vik Records.
  3. Kirchner, Bill, ed. (2005). The Oxford companion to jazz ([Pbk. ed.]. ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 376–381. ISBN 0195183592.
  4. "Bobby Timmons". Bobby Timons. Leo T Sullivan. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  5. Anthenagin (liner notes). P 10076. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. Prestige Records. 1973.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Three Blind Mice (liner notes). UAJ 14002. Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. United Artists Records. 1962.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Sherman, Ed (1963). Ugetsu (liner notes). RLP 464. Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers. Riverside Records.
  8. "Art Blakey, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers - Swiss Radio Days Jazz Series, Vol. 6: Lausanne 1960, 2nd Set". Retrieved 24 September 2023 via www.allmusic.com.
  9. Avakian, George (1956). The Cool Voice of Rita Reys (liner notes). CL 903. Reys, Rita; Wes Ilcken Combo; Jazz Messengers. Columbia Records.
  10. Records, Mosaic (2021-06-09). "Art Blakey - 1960 Jazz Messengers - Mosaic Records". Mosaic Records - Home for Jazz fans!. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
  11. Lampley, Cal (1957). Drum Suite (liner notes). CL 1002. Jazz Messengers, Art Blakey Percussion Ensemble. Columbia Records.
  12. Gitler, Ira (1978). Live Messengers (liner notes). BN-LA472-J2. Blakey, Art. Blue Note Records.

References

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