BLAKEY, Art.

Description

Jazztown, Gentbrugge June 1979 concert poster 

Original first printing concert poster advertising the 9th International Jazzmeeting which took place at the Jazztown in Gentbrugge [Belgium] from 1st to 3rd June, 1979. The festival was headlined by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers but also featured trombonist Clyde Bernhardt’s Harlem Jazz and Blues Band, and trumpeter Kid Sheik Cola, as well as a host of European jazz bands, including the Dutch Swing College Band. By this time Blakey’s touring band featured trumpeter Valery Ponomarev, alto saxophonist Bobby Watson, tenor saxophonist David Schnitter, pianist James Williams, and bassist Dennis Irwin. After weathering the fusion era in the 1970s with some difficulty Blakey’s band was revitalized in the early 1980s with the advent of neotraditionalist jazz. Wynton Marsalis was for a time the band’s trumpeter and musical director, and even after Marsalis’ departure Blakey’s band continued as a proving ground for Johnny O’Neal, Philip Harper, Terence Blanchard, Donald Harrison, and Kenny Garrett, among others. Blakey continued performing and touring with the group through the end of the 1980s. His final performances were in July 1990. He died in New York on 16th October, 1990 of lung cancer.

The poster measures 39.8 x 69.8 cm and is beautifully printed in orange and black inks on thin, uncoated paper stock. In excellent unfolded and unmarked condition. Feel free to email us with any questions you may have regarding this item. Additional images of the poster available on request.