Tony Allen drops new EP ‘A Tribute to Art Blakey’
Tony Allen’s new EP, A Tribute to Art Blakey, was released today by Blue Note Records. On the 4-track EP the legendary Nigerian drummer and Afrobeat pioneer best known for his work with Fela Kuti pays tribute to his longstanding idol, the American jazz drummer and Blue Note legend Art Blakey. The EP was recorded live in Allen’s current hometown of Paris and features a fiery 7-piece band interpreting the Jazz Messengers classics “Moanin’,” “A Night In Tunisia,” “Politely” and “Drum Thunder Suite” through an Afrobeat prism. The EP was produced by Vincent Taurelle, whose production credits also include Allen’s previous album Film of Life.
This gets a 5/5 from me…If you are a Jazz or percussion music lover you don’t need an explanation ~ JD
While American jazz—in particular the recordings of Blakey and Max Roach—had a big impact on Allen during his early musical development in Nigeria, the music of Africa was also hugely influential for Blakey (aka Abdullah Ibn Buhaina) throughout his career. In the late-1940s Blakey spent time traveling abroad in West Africa exploring the culture, religion, and of course, the drumming. Blakey later recorded several albums that were heavily influenced by African music including Orgy in Rhythm (1957), Holiday for Skins (1958), and The African Beat (1962), which featured the Nigerian drummer and percussionist Solomon Ilori.
Source: Blue Note Records
Tracklist and Credits
Tony Allen
A Tribute To Art Blakey (EP)
- Moanin’ (5:02)
(Bobby Timmons)
Drums: Tony Allen
Bass: Mathias Allamane
Piano: Jean-Philippe Dary
Trumpet: Nicolas Giraud
Trombone: Daniel Zimmermann
Tenor Saxophone: Yann Jankielewicz
Baritone Saxophone: Rémi Sciuto
- Night In Tunisia (6:06)
(Dizzy Gillepsie & Frank Paparelli)
Drums: Tony Allen
Bass: Mathias Allamane
Piano: Jean-Philippe Dary
Trumpet: Nicolas Giraud
Trombone: Daniel Zimmermann
Alto Saxophone & Sopranino Saxophone: Rémi Sciuto
Tenor Saxophone: Jean-Jacques Elangué
- Politely (6:41)
(Bill Hardman)
Drums: Tony Allen
Bass: Mathias Allamane
Piano: Jean-Philippe Dary
Trumpet: Nicolas Giraud
Trombone: Daniel Zimmermann
Tenor Saxophone: Jean-Jacques Elangue
Baritone Saxophone: Rémi Sciuto
- The Drum Thunder Suite (6:45)
(Art Blakey)
Drums: Tony Allen
Bass: Mathias Allamane
Piano: Jean-Philippe Dary
Trumpet: Nicolas Giraud
Trombone: Daniel Zimmermann
Alto Saxophone: Rémi Sciuto
Tenor Saxophone: Yann Jankielewicz
Produced and recorded By Vincent Taurelle, Bertrand Fresel at Midilive Studio, Villetaneuse (France)
Mixed by Vincent Taurelle, Bertrand Fresel At Yerres Studio (France)
Mastered by Antoine « Chab » Chabert at Chabmastering studio, Paris (France)
TweetAbout the Author
Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.
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