Drum Suite

Drum Suite is an album by drummer Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and the Art Blakey Percussion Ensemble, recorded in late 1956 and early 1957 and originally released on Columbia in April 1957. It was the first of several albums recorded by Blakey in the 1950s and 1960s that explored percussion-oriented jazz. It was followed by Orgy in Rhythm, Holiday for Skins, and The African Beat.

The 2005 CD reissue added three tracks from a June 1956 session, two of them previously released on Originally in 1982.

Reception
Allmusic awarded the album 4 stars, calling it "Groundbreaking for its time, and still sounding vital, powerful, and visionary, the Drum Suite album is somewhat of a lost masterpiece that deserves a fresh audience".

June 25, 1956 (Tracks 7–9)

 * Art Blakey – drums
 * Donald Byrd – trumpet
 * Ira Sullivan – tenor saxophone
 * Kenny Drew – piano
 * Wilbur Ware – bass

The Jazz Messengers—December 13, 1956 (Side two)

 * Art Blakey – drums
 * Bill Hardman – trumpet
 * Jackie McLean – alto saxophone
 * Sam Dockery – piano
 * Spanky DeBrest – bass

The Art Blakey Percussion Ensemble—February 22, 1957 (Side one)

 * Art Blakey – drums
 * Ray Bryant – piano
 * Oscar Pettiford – bass, cello
 * Jo Jones – drums
 * Charles "Specs" Wright – drums, timpani, gong
 * Candido Camero, Sabu Martinez – bongos