Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers – Just Coolin'

Already on March 8th 1959 the session recording of the drum legend was made in Rudy Van Gelder's studio in Hackensack, New Jersey. At Blakey's side, pianist Bobby Timmons, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, trumpeter Lee Morgan and bassist Jymie Merritt played a rare line-up of the Jazz Messengers.

However, the "Just Coolin'" tapes subsequently disappeared in the archives. Until today.

Look forward to an album with previously unheard performances and two never released tracks. This includes the song "Quick Trick" by Bopbby Timmons.

A true treasure that has finally been rediscovered after 61 years: This is Art Blakey's "Just Coolin'."

"Just Coolin' is an independent project from 1959, which can easily be placed next to works such as 'Moanin' or 'The African Beat', but due to the rapid recording frequency of Rudy Van Gelder in Hackensack it simply slipped into the archive. It also presents one of the most short-lived, interesting messenger formations with pianist Bobby Timmons, bassist Jymie Merritt, trumpeter Lee Morgan as well as founding member Hank Mobley (tenor sax), who returned to the band for a tiny time corridor between Benny Golson and Wayne Shorter. (...) a magnificent document of the times." (Jazzthing, July / August 2020)

"...it is an album that will be a blue-note classic without any compromises." (stereoplay, September 2020)