Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers - Album Of The Year (2026 Reissue) Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers

Art Blakey, whose career spanned nearly 50 years of Black music history, exemplifies the timeless role of the drums in jazz.

Album of the Year, originally released in 1981, features The Jazz Messengers: trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, saxophonists Robert Watson and Bill Pierce, pianist James Williams, and bassist Charles Fambrough, alongside drummer and bandleader Art Blakey.

The album was recorded in Paris, and tracks include “Cheryl” (written by Charlie Parker), “Witch Hunt”, “Soulful Mister Timmons” and “Little Man”, among others. The accompanying liner notes on the back sleeve were written by Ted Panken.

Album of the Year is available as a limited edition on red coloured vinyl, and affixed to the plastic sleeve is the 50th Anniversary Timeless sticker.