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"To pass through life and miss the music is to miss out on one of the best things about living." -Art Blakey
Art Blakey and the Jazz Mesengers were the quintessential "hard bop" ensemble, rooted in the core elements of Swing and Blues. As Jazz became more prevalent and expansive, the characteristic "hard bop" of the Messengers became accepted as the global definition for Jazz music. Art Blakey, its eldest and most eloquent exponent was its master. This brilliant performance at Ronnie Scott's from February 21st 1985 is a testament to this fact.
Ronnie Scott's opened in 1959 to provide a place where British jazz musicians could jam. Eventually American musicians such as Johnny Griffin, Roland Kirk, Al Cohn, Stan Getz, Sonny Stitt, Benny Golson, Donald Byrd and Ben Webster played at the club making it the legendary Jazz Club it is today. Today, the club that resides at 47 Frith Street still books the greatest jazz acts in the world and also plays host to such diverse musicians as Tom Waits, Linda Lewis, Elkie Brooks, Eric Burdon, Paul Rodgers, and Jack Bruce.
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