Art Blakey & His Jazz Messengers - Africaine

Not released until over 20 years after it was recorded, this set (reissued on CD in 1998 ) features tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter in his first recording with The Jazz Messengers. The quintet at the time also featured the great trumpeter Lee Morgan, pianist Walter Davis, Jr., bassist Jymie Merritt, and the drummer/leader Art Blakey. The highpoint is easily Shorter's memorable composition "Lester Left Town" (written after Lester Young's passing). Overall, this forgotten session contains plenty of excellent hard bop. Read More