Everything Jazz
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: First Flight to Tokyo: The Lost 1961 Recordings 2LP
Blue Note, 2021
A thrilling and previously unreleased recording of Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers live in Tokyo in 1961 during their first tour of Japan. The Jazz Messengers were among the first modern jazz groups to tour the country, and adoring audiences were enthralled by one of the band’s all-time great line-ups featuring the legendary drummer with Lee Morgan on trumpet, Wayne Shorter on tenor saxophone, Bobby Timmons on Piano and Jymie Merritt on bass. Expect soaring performances of classic jazz staples including Charlie Parker’s “Now’s The Time,” Thelonious Monk’s “Round Midnight” and Jazz Messenger hits including “Blues March” and “Moanin.”
First Flight to Tokyo was co-produced by Zev Feldman and David Weiss. The deluxe 2-LP vinyl and 2-CD editions both 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 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. Audio was newly transferred from the original ¼” tape reels, and the vinyl edition was mastered by Bernie Grundman and pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI.
Tracklist:
- Now's the Time (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- Moanin' (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- Blues March (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- The Theme (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- Dat Dere (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- 'Round About Midnight (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- Now's the Time (Version 2 - Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- A Night in Tunisia (Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- The Theme (Version 2 - Live at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo, Japan 1/14/61)
- Recorded - January 14, 1961 at Hibiya Public Hall, Tokyo
