Art Blakely is a jazz drumming pioneer famous for infusing swing jazz with elements of blues and gospel music. His band the jazz messengers provided a platform for many aspiring jazz musicians over its 30 year existence between 1954 to the early 80’s. Art made a point of playing around younger musician to keep his playing fresh. When he was a youngster he played alongside the some of the great jazz musicians of the time such as Cannonball Alderly. Miles Davis, and Hank Mobley.

He’s taking a bit of a back seat in this song, Moanin, but his grove is impecable and says more than any solo.