Originally from Moscow, trumpet star Valery Ponomarev dramatically escaped from bleak, jazz-suppressed 70s Cold War USSR and got to New York, where his sparkling Clifford Brown trumpet style was immediately spotted by jazz drums legend Art Blakey. Valery then joined Arts famous band, the Jazz Messengers, touring the world for four years and making 11 albums. One of the few remaining official Jazz Messengers, his top-class five-piece recreates Arts timeless music!