Art Blakey was an American drummer and bandleader noted for his extraordinary drum solos, which helped define the offshoot of bebop known as “hard bop” and gave the drums a significant solo status. His style was characterized by thunderous press rolls, cross beats, and drum rolls that began as quiet tremblings and grew into frenzied explosions. 

Beginning in 1939 as a drummer, he performed with several bands, most notably (1944–47) with that Billy Eckstine. Among the artists he met and performed with during that period were Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Charlie Parker, Dexter Gordon, and Billie Holiday. When Eckstine’s band broke up, Blakey traveled to Africa, a trip that led to his conversion to Islam. Upon his return to the United States he was hired to play drums on several Blue Note Records recordings with jazz pianist Thelonious Monk. Shortyly thereafter, Blakey founded the Jazz Messengers in 1954 with Horace Silver, toured Europe, and recorded a brilliant string of records for the Blue Note label from 1951-1961.

However, perhaps what the Jazz Messengers became most beleoved for was the group's encouragement of young musicians to become members of the collective. Blakey gave them valuable experience as jazz performers, and over the years the ensemble included such notable musicians as Clifford Brown, Donald Byrd, Benny Golson, Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Wynton Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison Jr, Joanne Brackeen, and more. An essential coming-of-age for a cadre of the world's best. 

Tonight, some of New Orleans' own who came up through the Jazz Messengers collective themselves presents their own special All-Star Tribute to the late, great Art Blakey, featuring: 
Donald Harrison Jr - saxophone 
Nicholas Payton - trumpet, more 
Shea Pierre - piano 
Nori Naraoka - bass 
Joe Dyson - drums 

Shows at 7:30pm & 9:30pm.
Doors at 7:00pm & 9:00pm

*An Official 2023 NOLAxNOLA Citywide Festival Concert!



Restaurant is Open 5pm - 10pm for dinner before or after your showtime:

Advance Ticket Holders can now automatically make dinner table reservations for the Dining Room online via OpenTable.com !

Advance Ticket-Holders can also make table reservations for dinner by Emailing info@snugjazz.com after your tickets have been purchased online by forwaring your E-ticket confirmation with dinner time request. Dinner Service without Advance Concert Tickets is first-come, first-served based on availability upon arrival at walk-up. 

Kind Reminder:  Snug Harbor does NOT serve food inside the Music Room. In order to preserve the integrity, quiet and focus of our world class intimate concerts, only cocktails and soft drinks are available for table service inside the Music Room. However, we encourage you to arrive at least 90 Minutes prior to your showtime in order to enjoy full, relaxing dinner service in the Dining Room right next door, before getting seated in the Music Room for your show.