1956 Art Blakey Playing at Club Bohemia in NYC Original TYPE I Photo by Popsie PSA/DNA

Art Blakey (1919-1990) was one of jazz's greatest drummers and a pioneer of hard bop. He made a name for himself in the 1940s with the big bands of Fletcher Henderson and Billy Eckstine, then performed with bebop legends Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. As founder of the Jazz Messengers, he mentored generations of future stars while recording classics such as Moanin' that helped define modern jazz.

Offered is an original 8" x 10" Silver Gelatin photograph circa 1956 of Blakey with a big smile on his face, sitting in front of his drum kit when he was playing with his band, “Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers” at Club Bohemia in NYC.

Encapsulated as a TYPE I original photograph by PSA/DNA

This original print derived from Popsie's personal archive and stamped on back with his iconic stamp that he used in the 1940s/50s. ORIGINAL photos of Jazz musicians are rarely seen, as opposed to promotional photos put out by the record companies.

About photographer, William "Popsie" Randolph:

William "Popsie" Randolph was a legendary photographer who captured the heart of mid-20th-century jazz and entertainment. Born in New York City in 1920, Randolph started in the Benny Goodman Orchestra before finding his calling behind the camera. From the 1940s to the 1980s, his lens documented the icons of jazz, Broadway, and pop, including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, and Elvis Presley.

Randolph's work stands out for its intimacy, capturing both the glamour and raw, unguarded moments of his subjects. Sought after by artists and labels like Columbia Records and RCA, his images graced album covers, newspapers, and magazines, making him a hidden yet influential force in music photography. Though he passed away in 1978, Randolph's photos remain a vital record of American music culture, inspiring generations of musicians and photographers.

Super rare to find any original images of Blakey, just 2 years before he shot to World Wide fame with the release of Moanin’