CiTR

An historic record date done for Atlantic Records on May 14 & 15, 1957 with the l957 edition of Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers with Bill Hardman on trumpet, Johnny Griffin on tenor saxophone, James "Spanky" DeBrest on bass and Blakey on drums plus Thelonious Monk on piano. Blakey and Monk were good friends and frequent musical collaborators and Monk agreed to do the date on two conditions, one: that they bring in his favorite bassist, Wilbur Ware to the date and two: that the date be mostly Monk's tunes. Everybody arrived on time save for Ware who showed up too drunk and stoned to play. The date looked like a disaster but Blakey called his regular bassist, Spanky DeBrest to come in and lucky for everyone, Monk liked the young bassist. The date then proceeded but with difficulty as the horn players, as good and talented as they were having difficulty playing Monk's music. Monk was most critical of Bill Hardman but Griffin at least had worked with Monk a few years earlier so had a handle on some tunes. They recorded half the album all night and into the morning of the 15th.....took a break for breakfast then completed three tunes to finish the date. We'll hear some never before released out-takes by the band then the "after breakfast" takes that were released on the original recording and they are Monk's "In Walked Bud" and "Rhythm-a-ning" and Griffin's "Purple Shades". The date is now a classic....enjoy!