Art Blakey was a pioneering jazz drummer and bandleader whose explosive energy and rhythmic inventiveness reshaped modern jazz. As the driving force behind The Jazz Messengers, he nurtured generations of rising stars, helping define the hard bop sound of the 1950s and beyond. Influenced by African rhythms and rooted in deep swing, Blakey’s dynamic performances combined precision with passion. His legacy endures through countless recordings and the lasting impact he made as a mentor, innovator, and ambassador of jazz worldwide.