Art Blakey

Art Blakey, born on October 11, 1919, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was a prominent figure in the jazz and hard bop genres. He began his musical career as a pianist before switching to drums, eventually gaining recognition by playing with Fletcher Henderson and Billy Eckstine bands. Blakey is best known for founding the Jazz Messengers, a group that became a breeding ground for young jazz talents. He passed away on October 16, 1990, leaving a legacy of influential jazz compositions.