Arlington Jazz To Perform ‘A Tribute To Art Blakely'

ARLINGTON, MA — Arlington Jazz is presenting an evening of classic jazz featuring the music of Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, one of the all-time signature groups that rose up and out of the bop era of the 1940s, on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. at Robbins Memorial Town Hall.

"A Tribute to Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers” will feature “messenger” alums Bill Pierce on sax and John Ramsay on drums, accompanied by Greg Hopkins on trumpet, Dan Fox on trombone, Consuelo Candelaria on piano, and Greg Ryan on bass and led by Arlington High School Jazz Band Conductor Tino D’Agostino.

The Jazz Messengers was a collective of jazz musicians that was formed in the 1950s and existed in various permutations for over thirty-five years, up until 1990, which coincided with the passing of the group’s founder and long-time leader, drummer Art Blakey.

The Jazz Messengers went through various phases during its long history. Both Pierce and Ramsay were involved during parts of the celebrated “Messengers Rejuvenation” period, which encompassed the years 1976-1990.

Back in the day, Art Blakey offered the following advice to his audience, which Arlington Jazz said will certainly hold true for all those attending the upcoming tribute to his legacy:

"If you feel like tapping your feet, tap your feet. If you feel like clapping your hands, clap your hands. And if you feel like taking off your shoes, take off your shoes. We are here to have a ball. So we want you to leave your worldly troubles outside and come in here and swing.”

Tickets are $25 for cereal admission and $15 for students and seniors.For advance concert tickets, visit https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/5565123. For further information, visit arlingtonjazz.org, email arlingtonjazzfestival@gmail.com, or call 617-909-7776.