Art Blakey Centennial Celebration presented by Northampton Jazz Festival

274 Main Street,Northampton MA 01060

02 October, 2021

Description

Art Blakey Centennial Celebration presented by Northampton Jazz Festival Presented by Northampton Jazz Festival ALL AGES The Art Blakey Centennial Celebration presented by the Northampton Jazz Festival Due to the ongoing global health crisis and the high risk of the COVID-19 Delta variant, the Academy of Music Theatre will now require all attendees to provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19 or a negative PCR test taken within the past 72 hours, a valid ID, and wear a mask inside the theater while not eating and drinking. Children under the age of 12 must wear a mask at all times. Those patrons without masks may purchase one at the theater for a small fee. Current ticket holders who lack proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test may request a refund to their original payment method by September 3rd, 2021. For further information, visit www.aomtheatre.com/health-and-safety "Who better to pay tribute to the incomparable drummer Art Blakey than a multi-generational group of musicians led by members of Blakey's Jazz Messengers? The Art Blakey Centennial Celebration includes an all-star cooperative aggregate comprised of enormously talented musicians - including a quintet of former Jazz Messengers (dates ""of service"" noted parenthetically): Alto saxophonist Bobby Watson (1977-1981), tenor saxophonist Bill Pierce (1980-1982), trumpeter Brian Lynch (1988-1990), Robin Eubanks (1987-1988) and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet (1989-1990). Joining them are pianist Zaccai Curtis and drummer Carl Allen, the latter with the great responsibility--and the unquestionable talent--to ""channel"" Blakey. Anyone who even vaguely follows and/or garnered appreciation for “Hard-Bop,” the soulful jazz sub-genre that in the mid-1950s followed on the heels of bebop, fully understands the historical significance of Drummer Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers. Blakey led the Jazz Messengers for 35 years, from 1955 to 1990, the year he died. The number of significant bandleaders-to-be that entered “The University of Blakey” in their late teens/early 20s and graduated anywhere from two to five years later, numbers close to 200. The Jazz Messengers roster spawned a litany of seminal players, among them: Donald Byrd, Terence Blanchard, Walter Davis Jr., Kenny Dorham, Curtis Fuller, Benny Golson, Benny Green, Johnny Griffin, Donald Harrison, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, James Williams, Donald Brown, Mulgrew Miller, Geoffrey Keezer, Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Woody Shaw, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Timmons, Cedar Walton, Peter Washington and Reggie Workman, to name but a few. Blakey always encouraged band members to contribute material to his ensembles, naming many members “Musical Directors.”