Originally Posted by The Spoon:
“I recall seeing a documentary on Blakey when I was a teenager (so probably 20+ years ago) - not a name that people outside jazz tend to have heard of these days.
amazing how jazz greats just seem to avoid the public gaze - I have the Scorcese films on the blues and it was the same for them - artists at the top of their field, yet the public wouldn't know them.
you could probably put Monk at the £250,000 question on Millionaire and chances are that the contestant wouldn't know what instrument he played.
somebody called Chick Corea a guitarist on here the other day...”
The early to mid 60’s Messengers line-up played an aggressive (at times) form of hard bop. Blakey is often exhilarating on these sessions, and his young, ambitious band mates of that time, such as Wayne Shorter and Lee Morgan, added immense playing and writing qualities. The “Free for all” and “Indestructible” sets, both from 1964, are stunning.
Much like the great Blues men, I often get the impression that the great Jazz musicians are far more appreciated by those who make music, as opposed to those who listen to it. It would be interesting to know which drummers have been influenced by Blakey, or at least admire his style. It’s a shame really; folk who listen to contemporary dance music might actually enjoy the work of Charles Mingus, but are unlikely to ever hear him...
I dare say someone with the ability of Chick Corea could play guitar - should he ever get bored of piano / keyboards!
