Theory of Art (album)

Infobox Album |
Name = Theory of Art
Type = Album
Artist = Art Blakey


Released = April 1957
Recorded =
Genre = Hard bop
Length =
Label = Bluebird/RCA
Producer = Bob Rolontz
Reviews = *Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hzfexqrgldae~T0 link]
Last album ="Jazz Messengers Play Lerner and Loewe"
(1957)
This album ="Theory of Art"
(1957)
Next album ="A Night in Tunisia"
(1957)

"Theory of Art" is a 1957 jazz album released by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers for Bluebird/RCA records.

The album is notable in its inclusion of alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, who had recently quit the Jazz Messengers, on a rare date with his replacement, tenor saxophonist Johnnie Griffin.

The CD re-issue features two additional tracks from a separate date led by Blakey. The band is a rare nonet that includes future Jazz Messenger Lee Morgan, among others.

Track listing

The track listing for the CD re-issue is:

# "A Night in Tunisia" (Gillespie, Paparelli) — 12:50
# "Off the Wall" (Griffin — 7:11
# "Couldn't It Be You?" (Blakey, McLean) — 8:06
# "Theory of Art" (Hardman) — 9:40
# "Evans" (Rollins) — 5:46
# "A Night at Tony's" (Gryce) — 4:19
# "Social Call" (Gryce, Hendricks) — 5:16

Personnel

* Art Blakey — drums
* Johnnie Griffin — tenor saxophone
* Jackie McLean — alto saxophone
* Bill Hardman — trumpet, piano
* Spanky DeBrest — bass
* Sam Dockery — piano
* Lee Morgan — trumpet
* Melba Liston — trombone
* Cecil Payne — baritone saxophone
* Sahib Shihab — alto saxophone