Who co-founded the Jazz Messengers with Art Blakey in 1954?

Horace Silver co-founded the Jazz Messengers with Art Blakey in 1954. Silver was the group’s pianist and an important composer, while Blakey became its long-term drummer, leader, and mentor.

The Jazz Messengers grew from a cooperative group called the Jazz Messengers, which Silver and Blakey organized after working together in the early 1950s. Their hard-bop sound emphasized blues, gospel, strong swing, and memorable themes. Silver left in 1956 to lead his own quintet, while Blakey continued the Jazz Messengers for decades.

The band became famous as a training ground for major jazz musicians. Its alumni included Wayne Shorter, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Branford Marsalis, and Wynton Marsalis. The name is sometimes credited only to Blakey because he led the group for most of its history, but its 1954 co-founder was Horace Silver.