Art Blakey & The New Jazz Messengers – 'Buttercorn Lady'

 

'Buttercorn Lady' is a rare and, for some reason, overlooked album in the Art Blakey cannon.

By the mid-1960s, after Wayne Shorter departed as his musical director, Art Blakey was in the process of rebuilding his band.  For the past decade, he had successfully led The Jazz Messengers, utilizing the talents of young and promising musicians to explore new territories within the hard bop and post-bop subgenres.  He had played a pivotal role in the debut of notable artists such as trumpeters Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard, saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and pianists Cedar Walton and Bobby Timmons.  However, as is common among young musicians, they progressed in their careers.  Art was more than happy in helping provide a platform for this new generation, but at the same time, he had to constantly keep his ear to the ground for fresh talent.

In late 1965, the drummer found what he was searching for.  First, he brought in trumpeter Chuck Mangione, a 25-year-old musician from Rochester, New York.  Then, Art stumbled upon an enigmatic piano player who was still discovering his musical voice.  His name?  Keith Jarrett.  After incorporating Mangione and Jarrett into the band, Blakey embarked on a tour, heading west.  During this tour, Frank Mitchell joined on tenor sax, and Reggie Johnson joined the band on bass.

On New Year's Day, 1966, the re-energized "New" Jazz Messengers visited Hermosa Beach, California to play and record at The Lighthouse.  The result was today's freeload: 'Buttercorn Lady

The sound of this band is notably different from the trademark sound of the Jazz Messengers from the late 1950s.  It feels like a refreshing revival of the music, as well as a subtle response to the general changes in popular music at the time, without compromising on quality.

To my ears, the standout on 'Buttercorn Lady' is not Chuck Mangione or Keith Jarrett, but tenor saxophonist Frank Mitchell.  His stint with Art, which began in 1964 when he was just 19, catapulted him to fame.  Tragically, he was murdered in 1971 while at the height of his popularity, having led a memorial concert for John Coltrane.  His body was found in the East River, but no motive or suspects were ever identified.  Frank’s playing exudes a certain prowess reminiscent of Hank Mobley, with a touch of Coltrane’s influence.

'Buttercorn Lady' is one of the tightest Jazz Messengers albums, and, breaking out of the by then formulaic sound of the old band, it is also a very refreshing one.  

This album has long been out of print (but recently reissued as a digital download), this is an essential, much recommended, and slightly different Art Blakey album.

For the freeload, let's talk about albums that for some reason are overlooked.