Art Blakey

Art Blakey was an influential American jazz drummer and bandleader, known for his powerful and innovative playing style. Born in 1919, he co-founded the Jazz Messengers, a group that became a breeding ground for many future jazz stars. Blakey's strong rhythmic drive and ability to blend various musical influences helped shape the hard bop genre, a substyle of jazz that emerged in the 1950s. He was not only a skilled musician but also a mentor, nurturing countless young talent throughout his career, which spanned several decades until his passing in 1990.