Art Blakey (1919–1990), volcanic drummer and Jazz Messengers bandleader, defined hard bop’s drive: press-roll thunder, blues-gospel inflections and blistering swing. With Horace Silver he helped launch the Messengers, a proving ground for Lee Morgan, Wayne Shorter, Freddie Hubbard, Benny Golson, Wynton Marsalis and more. Essential albums: Moanin’, A Night at Birdland, Free for All.