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The Big Beat is an album by Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers recorded on March 6, 1960 and released on Blue Note later that year. The quintet features horn section Lee Morgan and Wayne Shorter and rhythm section Bobby Timmons, Jymie Merritt and Blakey.

Reception

The AllMusic review by Christopher Fielder  awarded the album 4 stars and stated:”Perhaps the best known and most loved of Art Blakey’s works, The Big Beat is a testament to the creative progress of one of the best jazz drummers of all time. Now over 40 years old, The Big Beat is as thunderous as ever. Here, Blakey combines his rhythm with tenor saxophonist Wayne Shorter’s brilliant composing to make what could only be termed a “structurally raw” album. Each track rips through bebop as quickly as Blakey ripped through drum heads. “Dat Dere” and “Lester Left Town” stand out as part of the true canons for hot jazz. Two alternate versions of “It’s Only a Paper Moon” round out the album, both brimming with the fluid integrity of the song and the drive only Blakey could provide. As one of the few drummers to step out and lead, not just play backup, Blakey created a true jazz treasure in The Big Beat.”

Track listing
Side 1
“The Chess Players” (Shorter) – 9:31
“Sakeena’s Vision” (Shorter) – 6:04
“Politely” (Hardman) – 6:04
Side 2
“Dat Dere” (Timmons) – 8:47
“Lester Left Town” (Shorter) – 6:26
“It’s Only a Paper Moon” (Arlen, Harburg, Rose) – 6:38

Personnel
Lee Morgan – trumpet
Wayne Shorter – tenor saxophone
Bobby Timmons – piano
Jymie Merritt – bass
Art Blakey – drums

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Released: 1960
Recorded: March 6, 1960
Studio: Van Gelder Studio
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
Length: 47:49
Label: Blue Note
BLP 4029
Producer: Alfred Lion