The Messenger Legacy in Clermont-Ferrand
Jazz en Tête Festival 2014
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Cast
Billy Pierce — Saxophonist
Brian Lynch — Trumpeter
Craig Handy — Saxophonist
Donald Brown — Pianist
Essiet Essiet — Double bassist
Ralph Peterson — Drummer, percussionist
Program notes
In 1955, drummer Art Blakey founded The Jazz Messengers, a band that went on to establish itself as a reference in the world of jazz and a kind of launching pad for countless successful solo careers. A tall order then to find musicians up to the task of paying tribute to such a storied ensemble!
Few drummers can pretend to tackle The Jazz Messengers' repertoire with the ease and majesty that embodied Blakey's playing—but Ralph Peterson is certainly one of them! He's joined here at the Jazz en Tête festival by former members of the ensemble and a selection of other exceptionally talented artists in this vibrant concert in honor of the legendary bandleader.