Art Blakey was a jazz drummer and bandleader who, along with Horace Silver, formed the Jazz Messengers. This group became the definitive 'hard bop' ensemble, blending the speed of bebop with the soul and gospel influences of the blues. For over 35 years, the Jazz Messengers served as a legendary proving ground for young talent; alumni include Wynton Marsalis, Lee Morgan, and Wayne Shorter. Blakey’s drumming was famous for its thunderous press rolls and its driving, polyrhythmic intensity. He viewed his band as a training school, famously saying, 'I'm going to stay with the youngsters. When these get too old, I'll get some younger ones. It keeps the mind active.' Blakey’s commitment to mentoring the next generation ensured the longevity and evolution of jazz for decades.