Free for All

Artist: Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers

Number of Discs: 1

Total time: 36:34
Label: Blue Note
Availability: In stock
Item #: 5191519

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List Price: $17.98
Member Price: $11.98

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Review

Free for All is a high point in drummer Art Blakey's enormous catalog. This edition of the Jazz Messengers had been together since 1961 with a lineup that would be hard to beat: Freddie Hubbard on trumpet (his last session with the Messengers), Wayne Shorter on tenor sax, Curtis Fuller on trombone, Cedar Walton on piano, and Reggie Workman on bass. Shorter's title track is one of the finest moments in the Jazz Messengers' history. In the eight minutes of "Free for All," an emotional apex is reached that skirts the edge of free bop without losing Blakey's rhythmic glue. Another Shorter composition, "Hammer Head," is a mid-tempo soul-blues groove, with Shorter, Hubbard, and Fuller taking exceptional solos while Blakey keeps the mid-tempo vigorously swinging. Hubbard's "The Core," dedicated to the Congress of Racial Equality, comes close to capturing the heat of the title cut, as it contains similar fiery interplay. The session's closer, Clare Fischer's "Pensativa" (brought to the Messengers songbook by Hubbard), would remain a favorite with Blakey for years. A passionate Jazz Messengers workout that proves essential. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

Read About This Recording

Art Blakey was not only the leader of the Jazz Messengers for 35 years and one of jazz's greatest and most explosive drummers but he was also a masterful talent scout. Throughout the life of the Jazz Messengers, Blakey consistently discovered new talent, taught the youngsters how to swing as hard as possible and eventually encouraged them to be bandleaders themselves so he could replace them with the next generation of up-and-comers. The who's who of modern jazz passed through his band during 1955-90 including trumpeters Kenny Dorham, Donald Byrd, Chuck Mangione, Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard and Brian Lynch, saxophonists Benny Golson, Hank Mobley, Bobby Watson and Branford Marsalis and pianists Horace Silver, James Williams and Benny Green.

Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller, Wayne Shorter, Cedar Walter and Reggie Workman are showcased on 1964's Free For All. They stretch out on four selections including the standard "Pensativa" and Shorter's memorable "Free for All." This session is particularly heated and fiery, stretching the boundaries of hard bop with the musicians hinting at the avant-garde while always swinging.

Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers recorded many essential releases through the years. This CD includes some of their most vital performances.

—Scott Yanow

Remastered!

Free for All; Hammer Head; The Core; Pensativa.

Freddie Hubbard, Trumpet; Curtis Fuller, Trombone; Wayne Shorter, Tenor Sax; Cedar Walton, Piano; Reggie Workman, Bass; Art Blakey, Drums.

Tracks + Soundclips

Free for All
	1. Free for All	11:04
	2. Hammer Head	7:47
	3. Core	9:24
	4. Pensativa	8:19

Details and Credits

Product Details

Label: Blue Note
Release date: 1964
Instrumental

Styles

Hard Bop

Browse all jazz styles

Album Credits
Performance Credits
Art Blakey	Drums
Cedar Walton	Organ
Curtis Fuller	Trombone
Freddie Hubbard	Trumpet
Reggie Workman	Bass
Wayne Shorter	Saxophone

Technical Credits
Alfred Lion	Producer
Francis Wolff	Photography
Nat Hentoff	Liner Notes
Reid Miles	Cover Design
Ron McMaster	Digital Transfers
Rudy Van Gelder	Engineer