Lost Art Blakey recording set for release

A soaring, previously unreleased live recording of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messenger's first-ever tour of Japan is being released by the iconic Blue Note Records - First Flight to Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings.

The 1961 recording features the legendary drummer leading a killer lineup of Lee Morgan (trumpet), Wayne Shorter (tenor saxophone), Bobby Timmons (piano) and Jymie Merritt (bass).

The concert featured soaring performances of well-known jazz staples including Charlie Parker’s 'Now’s the Time', Thelonious Monk’s ''Round About Midnight' and The Jazz Messenger hits including 'Blues March,' 'Dat Dere', and ''Moanin’'.

Reflecting on the release of the recording, Blue Note President Don Was said: “Releasing this recording is a proud moment for all of us. It captures one of the most legendary lineups of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers in their full glory as they spread the message across the planet.”

First Flight to Tokyo was co-produced by Zev Feldman and David Weiss, and is available as deluxe 2-LP vinyl and 2-CD editions, both of which come with elaborate booklets featuring rare photos by Japanese photographers Shunji Okura and Hozumi Nakadaira; a historical essay by acclaimed jazz critic Bob Blumenthal; plus new interviews with Wayne Shorter in conversation with the Jazz FM Award-winning Blue Note president Don Was, celebrated saxophonist Lou Donaldson, Japanese jazz star Sadao Watanabe, renowned Japanese music critic Reiko Yukawa, Blakey’s son Takashi Blakey, and a trio of drum greats: Louis Hayes, Billy Hart and Cindy Blackman Santana. The recording was transferred from the original ¼” tape reels, and the vinyl edition was mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g vinyl at Record Technology Inc. (RTI).

“The performances were captured at the end of a tour that resulted after Blakey was crowned in a Japanese magazine poll as the American musician that the country’s jazz fans were most eager to experience in person,” writes Blumenthal in the liner notes. “Over the first two weeks of January 1961, the Messengers performed in several major Japanese cities and were received as artistic heroes wherever they appeared. This outpouring by the Japanese public, plus the concert and broadcast settings in which the band was presented, were a far cry from the treatment and working conditions commonplace in the USA and made a great impact on Blakey”.

When is First Flight to Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings released?

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers' First Flight to Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings is being released via Blue Note Records on 10 December 2021.

First Flight to Tokyo - tracklisting:

Side 1 (vinyl)

1. Now's the Time (22:34)

Side 2 (vinyl)

1. Moanin' (13:33)

2. Blues March (11:45)

3. The Theme (00:33)

Side 3 (vinyl)

1. Dat Dere (12:14)

2. 'Round About Midnight (13:29)

Side 4 (vinyl)

1. Now's the Time - Version 2 (17:15)

2. A Night in Tunisia (11:12)

3. The Theme - Version 2 (00:30)

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• art blakey
• art blakey and the jazz messengers
• art blakey & the jazz messengers