Blakey's, Art Jazz Messengers - A Night in Tunisia

The Jazz Messengers were one of the longest lasting jazz combos ever formed. Founded by iconic drummer, Art Blakey, in 1955, the group existed in one form or another for almost 35 years, right up until Blakey passed away in 1990. Many of the greatest jazz players ever have played in the combo, including Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Benny Golson, Donald Byrd, Horace Silver, and many others.

A Night in Tunisia was recorded around 1958 by the second iteration of The Jazz Messengers, featuring of course founding member, Art Blakey, on drums and percussion, Bill Hardman on trumpet, Sam Dockery on piano, Jimmy DeBrest on bass, Johnny Griffin on tenor sax, and Ferris Bender a.k.a. Jackie McLean on alto sax. This is the only known instance that the extremely prolific McLean would use an alias, most likely due to contractual obligations elsewhere. This album features the only recorded instances of Griffin and McLean playing together.

The set includes lengthy interpretation of Dizzy Gillespie's A Night in Tunisia, the Blakey and McLean-penned Couldn't It Be You? and a rendition of Sonny Rollins' tune Evans, and should be on the shelves of every 50s hard bop lover.