Oh, By the Way

Personnel: Art Blakey (drums); Donald Harrison (alto saxophone); Bill Pierce (tenor saxophone); Terence Blanchard (trumpet); Johnny O'Neal (piano).
Liner Note Author: Russ Musto.
Recording information: Fendal Sound Studios, The Netherlands (05/20/1982).
When the Marsalis Brothers left The Jazz Messengers in early 1982, Wynton suggested that Art Blakey take a close listen to trumpeter Terence Blanchard (then 19) and 21-year old altoist Donald Harrison. The drummer took his advice, and after also adding young pianist Johnny O'Neal, Blakey soon had an exciting new version of The Jazz Messengers. Tenor saxophonist Bill Pierce and bassist Charles Fambrough were still present from the older band for this excellent LP. In the Blakey tradition, this set has five new compositions from bandmembers in addition to Wayne Shorter's "One by One" and the standard "My Funny Valentine"; the music is a fine example of high-quality hard bop. ~ Scott Yanow