Blakey, Art & The Jazz Messengers - Oh-By The Way

Oh-By The Way captures a new era for Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers, recorded in 1982 and showcasing a fresh generation of rising stars.

This lineup features Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison and Johnny O'Neal, who stepped in after the celebrated Marsalis-Williams period and continued Blakey's unmatched legacy of discovering and shaping young jazz talent. The album opens with Blanchard's vibrant title track Oh-By The Way, a composition that quickly became a modern Messenger favourite thanks to its strong melodic drive and infectious energy. Following the success of Album Of The Year, this recording presents a confident new direction for the band. The program includes a spirited performance of Wayne Shorter's classic One by One, alongside a distinctive and expressive reading of My Funny Valentine, adding depth and contrast to the set.

Today, Oh-By The Way stands as a testament to the enduring vitality and evolution of The Jazz Messengers tradition, a compelling document of Blakey's ever-renewing creative force.