Theory of Art

Theory of Art
Studio album by Art Blakey
Released	1987
Genre	Hard bop
Label	Bluebird/RCA
Producer	Bob Rolontz
Art Blakey chronology
Jazz Messengers Play Lerner and Loewe (1957) Theory of Art (1957) A Night in Tunisia (1957)

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Theory of Art is a 1987 reissue of A Night in Tunisia,a 1957 jazz album released by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers for RCA's Vik label. It was remastered and released with new cover art in 1997.

The album is notable in its inclusion of alto saxophonist Jackie McLean, who had recently quit the Jazz Messengers, on a rare date with his replacement, tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin.

The CD re-issue features two additional tracks from a separate date led by Blakey. The band is a rare nonet that includes future Jazz Messenger Lee Morgan, among others.

Track listing

The track listing for the CD re-issue is:

1. "A Night in Tunisia" (Gillespie, Paparelli) — 12:50
2. "Off the Wall" (Griffin) — 7:11
3. "Couldn't It Be You?" (Blakey, McLean) — 8:06
4. "Theory of Art" (Hardman) — 9:40
5. "Evans" (Rollins) — 5:46
6. "A Night at Tony's" (Gryce) — 4:19
7. "Social Call" (Gryce, Hendricks) — 5:16

Personnel

• Art Blakey — drums
• Johnny Griffin — tenor saxophone
• Jackie McLean — alto saxophone
• Bill Hardman — trumpet, piano
• Spanky DeBrest — bass
• Sam Dockery — piano
• Lee Morgan — trumpet
• Melba Liston — trombone
• Cecil Payne — baritone saxophone
• Sahib Shihab — alto saxophone