Tag Archives: Spanky DeBrest

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messenger: A Night In Tunisia

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In February 1958, “RCA Victor” label released “A Night in Tunisia”, album by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers. It was recorded in April 1957, in New York City, and was produced by Bob Rolontz.

Personnel:

  • Art Blakey – drums
  • Jackie McLean (listed as Ferris Benda/Ferris Bender on the cover) – alto sax
  • Johnny Griffin – tenor sax
  • Bill Hardman – trumpet
  • Sam Dockery – piano
  • Spanky DeBrest – bass

Track listing:

  1. A Night in Tunisia – Dizzy Gillespie, Frank Paparelli
  2. Off the Wall – Johnny Griffin
  3. Theory of Art – Bill Hardman
  4. Couldn’t It Be You? – Art Blakey, Jackie McLean
  5. Evans – Sonny Rollins

Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers: Tough!

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In January 1966, “Cadet” label released “Tough!”, the fourth Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers album. It was recorded in 1957, at “Swedien Recording Studio” in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Personnel:

  • Art Blakey – drums
  • Jackie McLean – alto saxophone
  • Bill Hardman – trumpet
  • Sam Dockery – piano
  • Spanky DeBrest – bass
  • Bruce Swedien – engineer
  • Michael Reid Design – design
  •  Don S. Bronstein – photography
  • Herb Wong – liner notes

Track listing:

  1. Scotch Blues – Duke Jordan
  2. Flight to Jordan – Duke Jordan
  3. Transfiguration – Gigi Gryce
  4. Exhibit A – Gigi Gryce
  5. Gershwin Medley: Rhapsody in Blue/Summertime/Someone to Watch Over Me/The Man I Love – George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin

Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers: Hard Bop

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In October 1957, “Columbia” label released “Hard Bop”, the second Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers studio album. It was recorded in December 1956, at “Columbia 30th Street Studio” in New York City, and was produced by Alan Douglas.

Personnel:

  • Art Blakey – drums
  • Jackie McLean – alto saxophone
  • Bill Hardman – trumpet
  • Sam Dockery – piano
  • Spanky DeBrest – bass

Track listing:

  1. Cranky Spanky – Bill Hardman
  2. Stella by Starlight – Ned Washington, Victor Young
  3. My Heart Stood Still – Lorenz Hart, Richard Rodgers
  4. Little Melonae – Jackie McLean
  5. Stanley’s Stiff Chicken – Bill Hardman, Jackie McLean

Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers: Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk

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In May 1958, “Atlantic” label released “Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers with Thelonious Monk”, the eight Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers album. It was recorded in May 1957, and was produced by Nesuhi Ertegün.

Personnel:

  • Art Blakey – drums
  • Thelonious Monk – piano
  • Bill Hardman – trumpet
  • Johnny Griffin – tenor saxophone
  • Spanky DeBrest – bass
  • Earl Brown – recording

Track listing:

All tracks by Thelonious Monk, except where noted.

  1. Evidence
  2. In Walked Bud
  3. Blue Monk
  4. I Mean You – Thelonious Monk, Coleman Hawkins
  5. Rhythm-A-Ning
  6. Purple Shades – Johnny Griffin

Art Blakeys Jazz Messengers: Hard Drive

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In December 1957, “Bethlehem” label released “Hard Drive”, the ninth Art Blakey with The Jazz Messengers album. It was recorded in October 1957, in New York City, and was produced by Lee Kratf.

Personnel:

  • Art Blakey – drums
  • Junior Mance, Sam Dockery – piano
  • Spanky DeBrest – bass
  • Johnny Griffin – tenor saxophone
  • Bill Hardman – trumpet

Track listing:

  1. For Minors Only – Jimmy Heath
  2. Right Down Front – Johnny Griffin
  3. Deo-X – Bill Hardman
  4. Sweet Sakeena – Bill Hardman
  5. For Miles and Miles – Jimmy Heath
  6. Krafty – Johnny Griffin
  7. Late Spring – Leon Mitchell

Art Blakey: Drum Suite

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In April 1957, “Columbia” label released “Drum Suite”, album by Art Blakey, side one is the Art Blakey Percussion Ensemble, side two is the Jazz Messengers. It was recorded June – December 1956, February 1957, at “Columbia 30th Street Studio” in New York City, and was produced by George Avakian.

Personnel:

  • Art Blakey – drums
  • Bill Hardman – trumpet
  • Donald Byrd – trumpet
  • Jackie McLean – alto saxophone
  • Ira Sullivan – tenor saxophone
  • Ray Bryant – piano
  • Sam Dockery – piano
  • Kenny Drew – piano
  • Oscar Pettiford – bass, cello
  • Spanky DeBrest – bass
  • Wilbur Ware – bass
  • Jo Jones – drums
  • Charles “Specs” Wright – drums, timpani, gong
  • Candido Camero – bongos
  • Sabu Martinez – bongos 

Track listing:

  1. The Sacrifice – Art Blakey
  2. Cubano Chant – Ray Bryant
  3. Oscalypso – Oscar Pettiford
  4. Nica’s Tempo – Gigi Gryce
  5. D’s Dilemma – Mal Waldron
  6. Just for Marty – Bill Hardman

John Coltrane: The Believer

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John Coltrane- The Believer-jpg

On April 20, 1964, “Prestige” label released “The Believer” album by John Coltrane. It was recorded December 20, 1957, January 10, 1958,  December 26, 1958, at ”Van Gelder Studio” in Hackensack, and was produced by Bob Weinstock and Esmond Edwards.

Personnel:

  • John Coltrane— tenor saxophone
  • Red Garland— piano
  • Gil Coggins— piano
  • Paul Chambers— bass
  • Spanky DeBrest— bass
  • Louis Hayes— drums
  • Art Taylor— drums
  • Donald Byrd— trumpet
  • Freddie Hubbard— trumpet
  • Ray Draper— tuba

Track listing:

  1. The Believer – McCoy Tyner
  2. Nakatini Serenade – Calvin Massey
  3. Do I Love You Because You’re Beautiful? – Richard Rodgers,Oscar Hammerstein II
  4. Filidia – Ray Draper
  5. Paul’s Pal – Sonny Rollins