The Grooves Of Art Blakey

Art Blakey was a legendary drummer who, in the 40s and 50s, was a pioneer of modern bebop drumming. He played with jazz greats like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonius Monk and recorded over 70 albums with his band, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.

Known for his bold swing style, showmanship and total independence on the kit, his drumming inspired thousands of players in the 20th century and beyond.

0:00 - Intro
In this video – filmed on the exact type of drums Art Blakey used in the ’60s – Brandon Toews breaks down some of his most famous drum grooves and explains why he was one of the most in-demand jazz drummers of his time.

1:37 - Groove #1: “Caravan”
This Afro-Cuban groove, often called the nanigo, has a cool pattern on the ride bell. Keep that quarter note pulse going with your hi-hat foot!

5:25 - Groove #2: "A Night In Tunisia”
This one uses double strokes between the floor tom and rack tom, a Mozambique bell pattern, and feet alternating through the groove. Art Blakey used to play “A Night In Tunisia” at an insane tempo: around 290 BPM. In this video, Brandon keeps it “chill” at 280.

8:09 - Groove #3: “Moanin'”
It’s the original jazz shuffle! While you maintain a standard jazz pattern on the ride, you’ll create a shuffle feel by alternating ghost notes on the snare with backbeats on 2 and 4.

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[sethcashman]

Thanks, Brandon and everyone else at Drumeo, for doing this. Art was a founding father whose legacy needs to be kept alive. (I see via the comments here that you've exposed his playing to some who had never heard it before, which is amazing.) NO ONE swung like he did. And paramount to that, though he was, to borrow a borrowed phrase from Neil Peart, "human, all too human, " I can tell you firsthand that he was the nicest, most encouraging man one could hope to meet. I got to hang with him at a family friend's wedding party for a few hours when I was in my teens and he was just the coolest, most unassuming guy. You would never have known that you were in the presence of THE cat. Still have the shirt I wore that night, which he was kind enough to sign for me. An experience I will never, ever forget. Thanks again for honoring the immortal Buhaina.

[EVEROSFP]

I really enjoy the way you dress for making this video about Art Blakey...

[earthorigins]

Blakey was innovative and was instrumental in giving musicians that were new on the scene a fresh start in their career. He was a first-class gentlemen..!

[believeinittobe]

That Tunisia groove is something else!
So is that Tangerine Glass Glitter!

[snorhyveln]

I'm happy to say that I visited His jazz messenger's concert in Sweden back in 1981. 🇸🇪

[stevewilcock]

Art Blakey was a real master.
There's a lot of footage with him doing drum battles with his contemporarys in the 60's.
Cheers Drumeo.

[erikmccormick]

Fun Fact: Art Blakey is Mike Bordin's favorite drummer. Really wild how far and wide inspiration can travel across genres and players!

[christopherg]

Drumeo always has great content, but Brandon's lessons (complete with appropriate drum kits and attire) are my favorite.

[fede]

I don't know what's more fancy: That beautiful drum kit or the amazing tuxedo.

Thank you for another great video, boys and girls.

[SafezoneExpert]

Groove#2 is awesome! I really like those old style jazz drumming.

[julesdrums]

Holy shit, that Mozambique groove though. I have to learn that.

[ninodjuras]

Brandon is a beast, great at deconstructing and easy for follow for us non drumers.

[oldenmusicianco.]

After discovering Blakey a few years ago, he’s now without a doubt my favourite drummer. He inspired me from the beginning, when I was finding my footing with jazz music. Two of my other favourite grooves of his are Ping Pong and Children of the Night (originally from the “Roots & Herbs” and “Mosaic” records respectively), on the live “Three Blind Mice” records. Very awesome grooves, and great fun to play.

[JBadventure]

Great video and I work at Malco and I hear Art Blakey and the jazz messengers every day Its great to listen too 😀

[carlossantiago]

Art Blakey was the man his style was so unique and to be a drummer and leader of the orchestra what's phenomenon thank you for your video I'm originally from Northern California and as we say keep jazz alive

[tdrum]

Love this. Do it with other classic jazz cats too. Philly, Jimmy, Elvin, Tony, Max 🔥

[drummer]

Art’s grooves are deep. Love Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers…they never made a bad recording. Everything was excellent.

[drowebd]

idk if sparkle finish on your kit will change the sound, but Art has my appreciation on several levels: one for his incredible feel and style, and then his work with the Jazz Messengers, which was, at least in part, a musical school or training/experience regimen for up-and-coming players, a way to educate and simultaneously expose both the listening public as well as the players...absolutely a thanks to Drumeo for this expose regarding this, relatively (especially today) obscure musical powerhouse.

[andrewheld]

He is one of the drum greatest players. You hear the ride pattern and you know it's Art.

[benjaminthomas]

A Night in Tunisia the first time I heard him I have been floored