Artist page · 04/07/2026

Art Blakey

PittsburghBorn in 1919Bebop20 vinyl albums
Art Blakey, born in 1919 in Pittsburgh and active through the mid-20th century, was an American jazz drummer and bandleader pivotal in bebop and hard bop. His influential group, The Jazz Messengers, launched numerous jazz careers and recorded landmark albums.
20Albums on Vinyles.com
3956Discogs releases
393kLast.fm listeners

About

Art Blakey, Pioneering hard bop and bebop drumming from Pittsburgh.

Over 20 LPs and compilations; key jazz albums command steady collector interest.

Art Blakey stands among the influential figures of jazz drumming, known for developing the bebop and hard bop styles. Throughout his career beginning in the late 1940s, he played with major figures and led the Jazz Messengers, a collective noted for nurturing young talent. His discography spans dozens of albums, including studio, live, and compilation records, with many issued in multiple vinyl pressings across the US, Europe, and Japan. Notably, he recorded albums such as "A Night In Tunisia" and "Moanin'" that are essential to jazz collectors. His work consistently bridges the blues and jazz idioms, laying groundwork for modern jazz drumming.

Vinyl editions of his work include original 1950s mono LPs, audiophile 180g reissues, and special colored pressing variants.

Discography

Art Blakey — Discography

Studio albums, EPs and notable live records, from newest to oldest. Drag the timeline to browse.

Live At The 1972 Monterey Jazz FestivalMonterey Jazz Festival Records · 2008
2008
Live At The 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival
CD, Album
Live
Drums Around The CornerBlue Note · 1999
1999
Drums Around The Corner
CD, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
Studio
Moanin'Sarpe · 1990
1990
Moanin'
CD, Album
Studio
Feel The WindTimeless · 1989
1989
Feel The Wind
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Giants Of Jazz In Berlin '71EmArcy · 1988
1988
Giants Of Jazz In Berlin '71
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
A Night At Birdland, Vol. 3Blue Note · 1984
1984
A Night At Birdland, Vol. 3
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Mono
Studio
A Day With Art Blakey 1961 • Vol IEastwind · 1984
1984
A Day With Art Blakey 1961 • Vol I
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Killer JoeUnion Jazz · 1982
1982
Killer Joe
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Live At Bubba's Jazz RestaurantKingdom Jazz · 1981
1981
Live At Bubba's Jazz Restaurant
Vinyl, LP, Album
Live
Giants Of JazzPhilips · 1980
1980
Giants Of Jazz
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Pisces = ピスシスBlue Note · 1979
1979
Pisces = ピスシス
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
Studio
In This KornerConcord Jazz · 1978
1978
In This Korner
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Live At The Renaissance ClubBlue Note · 1978
1978
Live At The Renaissance Club
Vinyl, LP, Album, Limited Edition, Stereo
Live
BackgammonRoulette · 1976
1976
Backgammon
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
夢の競演Canyon · 1971
1971
夢の競演
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Buttercorn LadyLimelight · 1966
1966
Buttercorn Lady
Vinyl, LP, Stereo, Album
Studio
Hold On, I'm ComingLimelight · 1966
1966
Hold On, I'm Coming
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
'S Make ItLimelight · 1965
1965
'S Make It
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Soul FingerLimelight · 1965
1965
Soul Finger
Vinyl, LP, Stereo, Album
Studio
UgetsuRiverside Records · 1963
1963
Ugetsu
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Selections From Colpix Records · 1963
1963
Selections From "Golden Boy"
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Paris Jam SessionFontana · 1961
1961
Paris Jam Session
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Art Blakey & The Jazz MessengersImpulse! · 1961
1961
Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Gretsch Drum Night At Birdland Vol. 2Roulette · 1961
1961
Gretsch Drum Night At Birdland Vol. 2
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
On View At The Five Spot CafeBlue Note · 1960
1960
On View At The Five Spot Cafe
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Gretsch Drum Night At BirdlandRoulette · 1960
1960
Gretsch Drum Night At Birdland
Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Studio
Au Club St. Germain Vol. 2RCA · 1959
1959
Au Club St. Germain Vol. 2
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Orgy In Rhythm (Volume Two)Blue Note · 1959
1959
Orgy In Rhythm (Volume Two)
Vinyl, LP, Album, Repress, Mono
Studio
Olympia ConcertFontana · 1959
1959
Olympia Concert
Vinyl, LP, Album
Studio
Holiday For Skins Volume 1Blue Note · 1958
1958
Holiday For Skins Volume 1
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
A Night In TunisiaVik · 1958
1958
A Night In Tunisia
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious MonkAtlantic · 1958
1958
Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers With Thelonious Monk
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Holiday For Skins Vol. 2Blue Note · 1958
1958
Holiday For Skins Vol. 2
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Hard DriveBethlehem Records · 1958
1958
Hard Drive
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Cu-BopJubilee · 1957
1957
Cu-Bop
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Drum SuiteColumbia · 1957
1957
Drum Suite
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Trio And SoloRiverside Records · 1957
1957
Trio And Solo
Vinyl, LP, Album, Mono
Studio
Vol. 2Blue Note · 1954
1954
Vol. 2
Vinyl, LP, 10", Album, Mono
Studio
Introducing Paul BleyDebut Records · 1954
1954
Introducing Paul Bley
Vinyl, LP, 10", Album
Studio
Studio album Live / EP

Playlist

Signature tracks

The tracks that sum up Art Blakey's career.

01
Moanin'
Moanin'
Moanin' · 1990
02
Along Came Betty
·
03
Moanin' - Remastered
·
04
Blues March
·
05
A Night in Tunisia
A Night in Tunisia
A Night In Tunisia · 1958
06
Are You Real
·
07
Moanin' - Remastered 1998/Rudy Van Gelder Edition
·
08
The Drum Thunder Suite
·

The essentials

The 3 Art Blakey albums you absolutely need

Our pick, validated by the editorial team.

#1 · 1958
LP, Album, Mono
A Night In Tunisia

This 1958 US Vik mono LP is a cornerstone hard bop album featuring extended tracks including the title song over 12 minutes long.

5 tracksMono pressingVik labelMultiple vinyl versions
#2 · 2019
Vinyle
Moanin'

A key jazz LP with 6 tracks, including the iconic "Moanin'" over 12 minutes, showcasing Blakey's signature style.

6 tracksHard Bop styleJazz Images label2019 vinyl edition
#3 · 1989
LP, Album, Stereo
Feel The Wind

1989 stereo LP recorded in the Netherlands, featuring reflective compositions with a total of 6 tracks.

6 tracksStereo pressingTimeless labelMultiple vinyl issues

Go further

Artists similar to Art Blakey

Artists who share part of Art Blakey's musical DNA.

Collectors

For vinyl die-hards

The hidden side of the catalogue: rare pressings, sought-after matrices, Discogs values.

Market values (source: Discogs)

For each reference edition, these cards summarise the state of the global Discogs market. Market position places the average price of a copy between the observed min and max prices. Average price is the price seen for a mint-condition copy. Copies available counts listings currently for sale. Collectors who want it is the number of Discogs users who added it to their wantlist without owning it — a good signal of upcoming demand.

A Night In Tunisia
Master release · LP · 1958
Market position i
35,36 €
Min price 22 €Max price 53 €
Average price 35,36 €
Only 19 copies for sale on Discogs
241 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Feel The Wind
Master release · LP · 1989
Market position i
10,57 €
Min price 6 €Max price 16 €
Average price 10,57 €
Only 53 copies for sale on Discogs
40 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)
Giants Of Jazz In Berlin '71
Master release · LP · 1988
Market position i
9,73 €
Min price 10 €Max price 10 €
Average price 9,73 €
Only 17 copies for sale on Discogs
53 collectors want it (Discogs wantlist)

Notable pressings & editions

i

The “Why this rarity” column comes from our upstream sourcing work: for each album, we explain what makes this pressing sought after by collectors (limited run, specific matrix, withdrawn edition…).

AlbumWhy this rarityEdition Country · Year Matrix Market tension Value
Feel The WindLP
Alfa Records, Inc Japan · 1989 28R1-26 Japanese pressing
40 want · 61 have · ratio 0,7
6,37 €
Feel The WindLP, Album, Stereo
Timeless (9) Netherlands · 1989 SJP 307 Original pressing
40 want · 61 have · ratio 0,7
11,60 €
Giants Of Jazz In Berlin '71LP, Album, Stereo
EmArcy Japan · 1988 20PJ-10108 Original pressing
53 want · 67 have · ratio 0,8
9,73 €
A Night In TunisiaLP, Album, Mono
RCA Germany · 1958 LPM-9816-C, LPM 9816 C 🔥 Standard edition
241 want · 116 have · ratio 2,1
53,29 €
A Night In TunisiaLP, Album, Mono
Original US pressing, want/have ratio of 2.1:1, with 6 copies currently for sale.Vik US · 1958 LX-1115 Original pressing
241 want · 116 have · ratio 2,1
21,74 €

Face B

Side B: the hidden stories of Art Blakey

Studio secrets, touring anecdotes and B-sides worth the whole album.

"Art Blakey helped elevate the drum set from mere rhythm support to a leading voice in modern jazz."
— Jazz Historian
01Studio

Recording of "A Night In Tunisia" 1958

The seminal album "A Night In Tunisia" was recorded in 1958 and released by the Vik label in the US as a mono LP with catalog number LX-1115, featuring tracks exceeding 12 minutes in length.

1958US
02Pressing

US Original Pressing Demand

The original US pressing of "A Night In Tunisia" has a want/have ratio of 2.1:1 with 6 copies currently for sale, demonstrating steady collector interest.

1958US
03Concert

Live 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival Album

The 2008 release "Live At The 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival" captures a live performance including classics like "A Night In Tunisia," spanning 9 tracks with durations from 2 to 15 minutes.

1972Monterey
04Collaboration

Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk

In 1958, Blakey recorded with Thelonious Monk under Atlantic Records, producing a notable mono LP combining both their talents.

1958US
05Release

"Feel The Wind" 1989 Stereo Vinyl

The "Feel The Wind" album released on the Timeless label in 1989 offers a stereo LP pressing with reflective jazz compositions, mainly distributed in the Netherlands and Japan.

1989Netherlands

Records by Art Blakey

See all

FAQ

FAQ: Art Blakey on physical formats

The most common questions about pressings, reissues and limited editions.

Who was Art Blakey and what genres did he influence?

Art Blakey was an American jazz drummer and bandleader influential in bebop and hard bop, known for leading The Jazz Messengers.

What are iconic Art Blakey albums on vinyl?

Notable vinyl albums include "A Night In Tunisia," "Moanin'," and "Feel The Wind," each issued in multiple pressings and formats.

What is special about the original pressing of "A Night In Tunisia"?

The original 1958 US mono LP on the Vik label is prized for its sound and rarity, with a healthy market demand among collectors.

How did Art Blakey influence jazz drumming?

He transformed the drum kit into a solo instrument in jazz, pioneering bebop drumming with a powerful, bluesy style.

Are there colored or audiophile editions of Art Blakey's vinyl?

Yes, some editions like "A Night In Tunisia" are available on audiophile 180g black vinyl and limited colored pressings.

Where did Art Blakey record most of his vinyl albums?

His major recordings were made in the US, with some live and special edition pressings issued in Europe and Japan.

Is Art Blakey popular among jazz collectors in France?

Yes, Blakey enjoyed lasting popularity in France, evidenced by live recordings there and his appearance in a 1959 French film.

What label released the 1989 album "Feel The Wind"?

The 1989 album "Feel The Wind" was released by Timeless, with multiple stereo vinyl pressings available especially in the Netherlands and Japan.

Transparency

Sources & method

This page is compiled by the vinyles.com editorial team from public sources and our marketplace.

Our method

  1. Discographic data from MusicBrainz (dates, countries, activity period).
  2. Tracklists, artwork and genres retrieved via Discogs Masters.
  3. Values (low / median / high) and stock from the Discogs Marketplace.
  4. Audience and similar artists via Last.fm.
  5. Page updated automatically and reviewed by the editorial team.
Last updated: 04/07/2026