The Grooves Of Art Blakey

Art Blakey was a legendary drummer who, in the 40s and 50s, was a pioneer of modern bebop drumming. He played with jazz greats like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonius Monk and recorded over 70 albums with his band, Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers.
Known for his bold swing style, showmanship and total independence on the kit, his drumming inspired thousands of players in the 20th century and beyond.
0:00 - Intro
In this video - filmed on the exact type of drums Art Blakey used in the ’60s - Brandon Toews breaks down some of his most famous drum grooves and explains why he was one of the most in-demand jazz drummers of his time.
1:37 - Groove #1: “Caravan”
This Afro-Cuban groove, often called the nanigo, has a cool pattern on the ride bell. Keep that quarter note pulse going with your hi-hat foot!
5:25 - Groove #2: "A Night In Tunisia”
This one uses double strokes between the floor tom and rack tom, a Mozambique bell pattern, and feet alternating through the groove. Art Blakey used to play “A Night In Tunisia” at an insane tempo: around 290 BPM. In this video, Brandon keeps it “chill” at 280.
8:09 - Groove #3: “Moanin'”
It’s the original jazz shuffle! While you maintain a standard jazz pattern on the ride, you’ll create a shuffle feel by alternating ghost notes on the snare with backbeats on 2 and 4.
If you enjoyed this lesson, check out full note-for-note transcriptions of these songs (plus 1000s of other songs and lessons) FOR FREE on Drumeo: drumeo.com/trial-10004
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#artblakey #jazz #drumeo

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Dive deeper with the sheet music for all of these grooves in our latest Beat article: www.drumeo.com/beat/art-blakey-drum-grooves/

[@menzerroku4708]

Will check it out

[@maxfranken5168]

Pooiiioiö8iiiliiil8lll8lll0o8

[@sethcashman1011]

Thanks, Brandon and everyone else at Drumeo, for doing this. Art was a founding father whose legacy needs to be kept alive. (I see via the comments here that you've exposed his playing to some who had never heard it before, which is amazing.) NO ONE swung like he did. And paramount to that, though he was, to borrow a borrowed phrase from Neil Peart, "human, all too human," I can tell you firsthand that he was the nicest, most encouraging man one could hope to meet. I got to hang with him at a family friend's wedding party for a few hours when I was in my teens and he was just the coolest, most unassuming guy. You would never have known that you were in the presence of THE cat. Still have the shirt I wore that night, which he was kind enough to sign for me. An experience I will never, ever forget. Thanks again for honoring the immortal Buhaina.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Wow, truly a memory to cherish. Thanks for sharing, so glad you enjoyed the video!

[@BrandonToews]

So cool. Thanks for sharing that story!

[@lawrencewolfe-xavier]

'Human, All Too Human' - Frederick Nietzsche

[@erikmccormick9331]

Fun Fact: Art Blakey is Mike Bordin's favorite drummer. Really wild how far and wide inspiration can travel across genres and players!

[@roby6993]

Mike Bordin sucks.

[@EVEROSFP1]

I really enjoy the way you dress for making this video about Art Blakey...

[@julesdrums6167]

Holy shit, that Mozambique groove though. I have to learn that.

[@earthorigins3509]

Blakey was innovative and was instrumental in giving musicians that were new on the scene a fresh start in their career. He was a first-class gentlemen..!

[@christopherg9806]

Drumeo always has great content, but Brandon's lessons (complete with appropriate drum kits and attire) are my favorite.

[@BrandonToews]

Thank you! Greatly appreciated.

[@believeinittobe]

That Tunisia groove is something else! So is that Tangerine Glass Glitter!

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks!😁

[@snorhyveln]

I'm happy to say that I visited His jazz messenger's concert in Sweden back in 1981. 🇸🇪

[@BrandonToews]

Very cool!

[@tdrum21]

Love this. Do it with other classic jazz cats too. Philly, Jimmy, Elvin, Tony, Max 🔥

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks! On the list!

[@WardenOnDrums]

Art Blakey is truly one of the 🐐’s 🙏🏼

[@oldenmusicianco.4527]

After discovering Blakey a few years ago, he’s now without a doubt my favourite drummer. He inspired me from the beginning, when I was finding my footing with jazz music. Two of my other favourite grooves of his are Ping Pong and Children of the Night (originally from the “Roots & Herbs” and “Mosaic” records respectively), on the live “Three Blind Mice” records. Very awesome grooves, and great fun to play.

[@b.hoffman]

Sweating just watching someone else playing these beats at Blakey's tempo.

[@BrandonToews]

Slightly regretted wearing a suit for this one 😂

[@stevewilcock4767]

Art Blakey was a real master. There's a lot of footage with him doing drum battles with his contemporarys in the 60's. Cheers Drumeo.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Cheers Steve!

[@stevewilcock4767]

@@DrumeoOfficial Cheers.

[@ToyLatrine]

Art is the Fucking shit. Picked up a snare drum book with his work 20 years ago on a whim and never looked back.

[@user-cj8cc8br4l]

I been waiting for this video past 10 years

[@BrandonToews]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@fede170493]

I don't know what's more fancy: That beautiful drum kit or the amazing tuxedo. Thank you for another great video, boys and girls.

[@BrandonToews]

Cheers!

[@SafezoneExpert]

Groove#2 is awesome! I really like those old style jazz drumming.

[@carlossantiago323]

Art Blakey was the man his style was so unique and to be a drummer and leader of the orchestra what's phenomenon thank you for your video I'm originally from Northern California and as we say keep jazz alive

[@loumonte658]

He was monstrous on the kit. Great video and demo.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Thanks, Lou!

[@caleb2050]

the way art blakey swings on along came betty is unreal. the crescendo on his snare rolls go from inaudible to a sonic boom

[@jc3drums916]

A Night in Tunisia is iconic, but Blakey also had probably my all-time favorite swing feel, especially on tunes that were a bit more up-tempo, like Quicksilver and Mayreh.

[@andrewheld4047]

He is one of the drum greatest players. You hear the ride pattern and you know it's Art.

[@drowebd]

idk if sparkle finish on your kit will change the sound, but Art has my appreciation on several levels: one for his incredible feel and style, and then his work with the Jazz Messengers, which was, at least in part, a musical school or training/experience regimen for up-and-coming players, a way to educate and simultaneously expose both the listening public as well as the players...absolutely a legend.....massive thanks to Drumeo for this expose regarding this, relatively (especially today) obscure musical powerhouse.

[@JoshHarmon]

awesome lesson! learning Blakey grooves is the best!

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks a lot, Josh!

[@JB19adventure]

Great video and I work at Malco and I hear Art Blakey and the jazz messengers every day Its great to listen too 😀

[@dtsdigitalden5023]

Hey fantastic! Great to see Art Blakey's playing being featured, remembered and appreciated. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person who cares about this stuff, and then you make this video!

[@BrandonToews]

🔥🔥🔥

[@michaelbaratto7026]

I love all grooves ✌️

[@JudgeDredd_]

Respect ✊🏿 Makes me want to grab my tenor sax and jam

[@tomjones2348]

Bravo! Well done!

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks, Tom!

[@mjm5081]

❤ Art

[@benjaminthomas8092]

A Night in Tunisia the first time I heard him I have been floored

[@michaelklobucher2869]

The "moanin" shuffle to me is almost like a swung flam tap. Great tips. Art is a beast.

[@renz-ey707]

I realized that too. I struggled getting the pattern down as is until i stopped swinging and played straight triplets. Suddenly my hands were doing something they were used to, and all I had to do from there was swing it. That's awesome that somebody else noticed that.

[@drummershort]

Beautiful Kit.

[@williemammoth11]

The third groove is an absolute must if you want to swing the blues :) I didn't intentionally model mine on Art Blakey's, but apparently I did..

[@gballmaier]

Your a freakin stud, Brandon. A REAL MUSIC EDUCATOR. And, YES, I BOUGHT YOUR AWESOME BOOK! Thanks Maaaaan.

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks a lot!!

[@jimroyle5712]

❤❤❤ this was a wonderful tutorial of art Blakey and his signature grooves. Thank you so much!❤️❤️❤️

[@kaelmoffat2198]

Blakey was such an amazing pioneer! Thanks for posting this!

[@kaelmoffat2198]

Several years ago, Bennie Golsen organized a Jazz Messengers reunion and tribute tour for Blakey with Brian Blade on drums. Such an astounding evening and Blade covered the master really well. One thing I love about Blakey is his attention to dynamics...going from blast to hush with conviction.

[@dougmorato]

One of the greatest! He recorded so many classics!

[@Alaska_MD]

I haven't been a member of Drumeo for a few years because I play mostly Jazz, but if Brandon get's that Jazz library bigger, I'm going to have to join again.

[@drummer78]

Art’s grooves are deep. Love Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers…they never made a bad recording. Everything was excellent.

[@stylesb959]

Cool grooves I’ll have to try them , beautiful kit

[@richardliles4415]

I enjoyed all of them. Just starting out on drums, may take me a while to be able to do anything like that, I mean, I am 67. Thank you.

[@danielperezalbert7876]

Great, many thanks!

[@BrandonToews]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jean-pierrethouin2404]

Great work Brandon... I Love the fact that you wear a full suit Just like the real deal of the guys back in the Days. Tx. J.p.

[@BrandonToews]

Cheers!

[@curtis1691]

Love the suit for this lesson Brandon. You really capture the vibe with those threads. Along that line maybe do a Peter Criss lesson and fire up the cat make up ! Cheers !

[@leprosarioshow3820]

Indestructible 1964 álbum by Art Blakey and Jazz M.

[@gardenlover9663]

I LOVE Art Blakey. Thank you for this!!! 🥁🥁🥁🥁🥁

[@endrawes0]

Great! Love to hear about these legacy artists

[@MrCharlieroo]

Glad to see you guys doing videos on these drum giants. The forefathers of drumming. Art would also, on some shuffles, dig the stick on 2 & 4 into the head, kind of muting. A very subtle but cool affect.

[@2earache]

Ever since I was introduced to the mesmerising Mozambique beat by Steve Gadd many years ago, that’s my answer! Thanks.

[@paulwingert9993]

Im a guitarist and he's my favorite Jazz musician:)

[@imalitdrummerlovesvideogames]

I’m glad y’all finally got to the jazz classics this is my favorite genre classics jazz 💯🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@TheHSIHP]

So cool. Can't wait to try and learn it.

[@BrandonToews]

🔥🔥

[@Chiroman527]

Brandon, THX so much for bringing this great drummer to light !! I'm a 71 yo, who resurrected playing drums for Recreation / fun in retirement. I started again after 50 Years. I'm learning so much by this and the many other DRUMEO videos. Back in my day when I started playing in 1966 as a 15 year old, the lessons I took were based on the simple Jazz beats. I didn't really stick (excuse the Pun) to that - i wanted Rock and Roll. But I come to learn that the greats of my day (Baker, Moon, Bonham, Copeland, Gaad, etc.) all started in JAZZ. Even Ringo and Chalrie Watts ... It's Not easy for sure. NOte: I like the fact that You Dressed the part, complete with the suit and Tie !!

[@BrandonToews]

So glad you enjoyed the video!

[@paulbentley2709]

Great post dude

[@RodrigoRaez]

Very nice grooves. Thank you very much for this lesson!

[@GoodnightIrieMon]

Just had to take a moment to appreciate how visually well-done this video is. Even before you hit a note this video looks fantastic. The set, the suit, the sparkle! This is before you even got to the great content. Kudos!

[@BrandonToews]

Thank you very much!

[@JaxonHaze]

I never noticed how many rivets he had in his main ride, it’s wild

[@jukkavikberg2383]

Great lesson! Thank you!

[@studakins]

Love it!!!

[@thomastornroos7393]

Legendary grooves🔥🔥🔥

[@davidcurtis4478]

Fantastic! 👍👍

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks!

[@TheCocoaDaddy]

Loved it!!!! You know, I really appreciate your ability to play some many different genres of music. Thanks for posting this!!!!

[@juanpabloaraujoarraga9398]

All of the beats are great. Thanks man. I always want to learn this tunes. Its nice to see them break down

[@pdxfunk]

Always enjoy a video with Brandon! Very cool stuff demoed by a great jazz drummer!

[@BrandonToews]

Thank you so much!

[@RandallNewell-ek7vc]

Mr. Toews, you are the man. From Rock to Jazz your tutorials are awesome. Furthermore, for your jazz tutorials I love your drum stage set-up with the bottles to the side. So cool.

[@user-qu3em4iq3v]

Jazz at it's purest form. Art Blakey Hard core swinger.

[@n8w8rem22]

Art would really appreciate this, bravo 👏🏻 . I recently bought a CD "Best of Art Blakey", great! .

[@SumeetBGoode]

One by one is sublime

[@SheltonHull]

This dude is a natural educator. I'm not a professional drummer--nor, indeed, even an amateur--but I had no problem understanding the information he was trying to convey, even if I couldn't actually play it. Now I need to find some Brandon Toews music!

[@BrandonToews]

Thank you so much, Shelton!

[@billbigler1366]

Brandon you have done it again. Just tremendous playing and teaching. Cheers.

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks, Bill!

[@ALSOGREATDBM]

The drums sound sooo good

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks!

[@TakashiBlakey-nd3df]

Great Breakdown!!

[@robertosilveira2384]

INCREDIBLEE!! Perfect video, execution and content!! Thank you for this Mr Toews, you are a master!!!

[@BrandonToews]

Cheers, Roberto!

[@donovanjones4175]

Love love love this channel!!! Thanks again for this, now down to the basement to practice this.

[@BrandonToews]

Cheers!

[@blueshark928]

Free For All is my favorite Art Blakey jam.

[@MaximinoSantos]

Mais uma lição incrível pelo Brandon!

[@skinner5334]

Fine work sir! Super cool stuff⚡️

[@Quientocaque]

Great video! i love Art Blakey´s playing! is one of the greatest of all time! and now ...Max roach please?

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks! On the list!

[@tednoble412]

GREAT stuff! Thank you for the clarification! Now it's time to go to work on it!

[@jriddim]

This is an amazing video, thank you Brandon and the Drumeo team. I’m hooked on Blakey tunes now and determined to learn those grooves!

[@bobweber4140]

Awesome work thankyou

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks, Bob!

[@y-y-z]

I love learning about drummers that I've not heard of, or heard very little of, on Drumeo. You guys introduce the drummer, break down the grooves and fills so it's easier and more enjoyable to comprehend and listen to.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Cheers, Mike!

[@menzerroku4708]

Great video!! I love jazz drumming it's a hard style to play but fun. This is some great content. Great work drumeo😄.

[@swinginbeboptrio]

I don't play drums but your videos are very useful for me to understand the drums and also how to program cool drum parts in my DAW. Thank you.

[@insulani]

So cool Drumeo covers a lot of styles and pays tribute to the greats of the past. An awesome way to expose people to all kinds of music. Thank you Brandon.

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks, Patrick!

[@raseshgandhi6702]

Woooowww amazing

[@MrFeric30]

Great job. You are amazing.

[@BrandonToews]

Thank you, Eric!

[@InAverySilentWay]

Art Blakey is one of the greatest of all time!

[@BrandonToews]

Agreed!

[@AntonioLopez-pq7qk]

Great Art Blakey influence most drummers around the world.

[@homerg720]

Thanks Brandon for Another Great video. Always informative.

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks, Greg!

[@liambenz6889]

Great vid. As a beginner, I could probably spend a year just learning these three songs and it would improve my playing so much.

[@timbranniganmusic3458]

Thanks for this great video! You definitely chose some of his best and most classic grooves. Of the three, I’d say the shuffle is the one that‘a a must learn. A good shuffle goes a long way. Thanks again for the video! Best wishes - Tim

[@toddberg4404]

Great lesson Brandon!! Thank you. I'm working on shuffles right now and your step by step explanation (plus the transcript) is SUPER helpful. Also, I love that when you did your videos on the grooves of art blakey and elvin jones you dressed the part - with the dark suit and tie and starched white shirt. Classy touch!!!

[@TM_Stone]

Although I'm not a fan of jazz, I do respect the masters of that era and their talent. Also, if Drumeo was around when I first started playing it would have been awesome! Carmine Appice's Realistic Rock with a floppy record was my teacher at the time and I still use it to this day. Drumeo does such a wonderful job for the drumming community.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Really appreciate it!

[@BrandonToews]

❤️

[@jamman231]

Awesome to see this, from Carey to Blakey, such a great channel for exposing young (& older) drummers to the rich world of drums, perhaps we could see lessons on Baker or Paice? Keep up the great work

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Lots more videos like this planned. Thanks!

[@BrandonToews]

Working on it!

[@ronturner57]

Brandon! Wow. This has to be the single-most summarized *and* deeply-revealing presentation of a true pioneer of our beloved instrument. You did an absolutely stellar job of paying tribute to the uniquely identifiable genre-defining musicianship of drummer Art Blakey. My high hat's off to you, Brandon.

[@BrandonToews]

Thank you so much, Ron! I think you're going to dig the Elvin video coming out soon ;).

[@grachisol8236]

I’d never heard of him! He was amazing! It’s really fun to learn different styles. Great lesson Brandon.

[@DrumeoOfficial]

Thanks!

[@BrandonToews]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@TheCocoaDaddy]

It's funny, I had heard his name before but didn't know who he was. Sooo, when he would come to town to perform, I never went to see him. (face plant) lol

[@philipnestor5034]

Great video. You should check the great book on Art Blakey by John Ramsey.John played the second drum set in Art Blakeys’s big band and then was his road manager for 2-1/2 years. John also wrote a book on lessons by his former teacher Alana Dawson.Thanks for a a great video.I also have a 1960’s Gretsch Tangerine sparkle kit with a 20” and 18” bass drum.

[@BrandonToews]

Thanks, Phillip! That's a great book, checked it out a few years ago. If you're ever selling that kit (or 18" bass drum), let me know :).

[@jemmace2586]

Great video on a great drummer and musician. I love Ben Riley's time and influence on accompaniment playing.

[@BrandonToews]

Glad you enjoyed it!