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.” Tracklist & Credits 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 wi