Art Blakey

Today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Art Blakey, born in Pittsburgh, PA on Oct. 11, 1919. We lost him on Oct. 16, 1990 at age 71.

“On the eighth day, God created Art Blakey.” – Wynton Marsalis

“Art was an original… we used to call him ‘Thunder.’ Art was perhaps the best at maintaining independence with all four limbs. He was doing it before anybody was.” – Max Roach

“In 1947, after the Eckstine band broke up, we—took a trip to Africa. I was supposed to stay there three months and I stayed two years because I wanted to live among the people and find out just how they lived and—about the drums especially.” – Art Blakey

Tune in today as we celebrate all things Art Blakey