‘Art used to say, “It doesn’t matter how complex you want to play as long as you swing and play from the heart”, then he’d cite the great John Coltrane as an example. I owe it all to the great Art Blakey and I’ll be a Jazz Messenger for life.’ Jean Toussaint

Grammy-winning saxophonist Jean Toussaint first came to prominence when he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers in 1982, after studying at the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Since moving to London in 1987, Toussaint has released 11 critically acclaimed CDs as a leader, including 2018’s Brother Raymond, nominated for Album of the Year in the Jazz FM Awards, as well as top 10 lists in The Telegraph, Jazzwise, The Sunday Times, The Guardian and Jazz in Europe.

At Cadogan Hall, Jean Toussaint presents the release of his 12th album Live at the Jazz Cafe, recorded at the end of the 2018 Brother Raymond launch tour. The album features new live takes on the music from Brother Raymond as well as new compositions written for the Jazz Cafe recording, developing the fusion of Jazz Messengers Soul and Calypso spice.

Talk: ‘Art Blakey Legacy’

Saturday 23 November 3.45pm – 4.30pm
Caversham Room at Cadogan Hall  

Join Jean Toussaint and Ralph Peterson Jr. for a talk to celebrate Art Blakey in the year that marks 100 years since his birth. More info