Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers were a legendary hard bop ensemble that served as a launchpad for generations of jazz greats. Founded in the mid-1950s by drummer Art Blakey and pianist Horace Silver, the group became synonymous with driving rhythms, blues-infused melodies, and blistering improvisation. Blakey led the Messengers until his death in 1990, constantly refreshing the lineup with young, emerging talent—many of whom, like Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, and Wynton Marsalis, went on to become jazz icons. The Messengers weren’t just a band—they were a proving ground, a rite of passage, and a cornerstone of modern jazz history.
