University of the Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey’s Passwords to the Mystery of Creating Art and Universal Success.

This book introduces the reader to the wisdom of Art Blakey’s teaching through his quotes and reaching into the deepest grotto of the meaning of each one of them.

I see the need for this book at every gig, whether I play or sit at a club and listen. Every concert, rehearsal, every time I deal with musicians, hear them talk, make announcements, conduct themselves on stage etc. Professional ones, not only students. Brilliant players, but, almost always, lacking the knowledge of the Art Blakey’s Teachings. I see it right away.

This book is intended to give the novice who has just embarked on the road of learning to play melodies, scales, chords, fast runs and trills, play in all sorts of bands etc., exposure to many codes and keys which spell out what is beyond the obvious , to what he or she will be really dealing with, some for awhile, some will be dealing with it for a long time. Some, all their lives. Once understood, practiced and applied on stage in front of a live audience, these codes will serve as an invaluable guiding light. A source of confidence and an inspiration on the way to a close encounter with the mystery of creating Art, playing Music.

Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers Modus Operandi. The codes/keys revealed in this book will make a lot of sense to any reader, not only musicians, but particularly to Jazz musicians, because they come from Art Blakey himself. One of the greatest personalities in jazz, drummers, band leaders and educators in the history of this music, who in turn learned his craft from the greatest jazz musicians preceding him.

Jazz Messenger Valery Ponomarev