The Drum Thunder Suite

The Drum Thunder Suite is a three-movement composition by Benny Golson, written in 1958 for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. The suite was first recorded for the landmark Blue Note album Moanin', with Blakey on drums, Lee Morgan on trumpet, Golson on tenor saxophone, Bobby Timmons on piano, and Jymie Merritt on bass. The piece was designed as a showcase for Blakey's innovative approach to the drum kit, using mallets on the drums to mimic the sound of thunder and treating percussion as a lead voice rather than purely rhythmic accompaniment. Its three movements, Drum Thunder, Cry a Blue Tear, and Harlem's Disciples, each present distinct textures and moods, moving from a brisk, driving opening through a more melodic middle section to an extended ensemble finale. The suite format was relatively uncommon for a hard bop album track of this era, reflecting Golson's compositional ambition beyond standard jazz forms. While the piece is not a widely covered standard, it remains a significant demonstration of both Golson's arranging skill and Blakey's singular vision for percussion in ensemble jazz. On AllSolos, the original 1958 recording features solos by Morgan, Golson, Timmons, and Blakey himself.