Art Blakey was an acknowledged musical master, a founder of modern jazz drumming and a father figure to three generations of superstars. His Jazz Messengers first appeared on the scene in 1954, and the alumni is a who"s who of great jazz names including Lee Morgan, Donald Byrd, Johnny Griffin, Wayne Shorter, Keith Jarrett, and many more. Here, Wynton Marsalis makes his debut appearance as Blakey"s trumpeter. From the first distinctive Blakey drum roll, the Messengers deliver a hard bop concert, playing "Little Man," "New York," "Webb City," and an extended version of Kurt Weill"s "My Ship," which features Wynton as trumpet soloist.