Most of the records were studio recordings produced by alfred lion or francis wolff. Yes, blue note records went into decline after the retirement of alfred lion. Since 1968, so many japanese pressings of blue note titles had been released in japan by toshiba musical industries, king records and toshiba emi. The sale of blue note to the giant liberty records in mid1966 marked the end of an era. Blue note records 75th anniversary special limited edition. My only complaint is the authors obvious bias against the 70s. A revelatory, thrilling and emotional journey behind the scenes of blue note records, the pioneering label that gave voice to some of the finest jazz artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. New york, ny 10104 usa contact info obsolete 19571958.
Before that he labelhopped between prestige and blue note, recording three 10 albums for the latter. Here is the detailed history of the label from the beginning days in 1939 when two german immigrants, alfred lion and francis wolff, began recording and. Now numbering 67 cds, the series got its start when japanese blue note approached van gelderone of the most celebrated recording engineers in jazz and the man in the booth for many of blue note s most noted releasesto remaster some titles for japanese release. A series of blue note albums originally recorded and later remastered by veteran jazz engineer rudy van gelder.
Blue note advanced its commitment to the 60s avant garde, and reid miless cover nailed matters again in catching the scalding momenttomoment intensity of pianist cecil taylors music. A history of blue note records in 15 albums the new york times. Beyond the notes explores the unique vision behind the iconic jazz record label. Seminal jazz label blue note has announced the inaugural edition of its new biannual, luxury box set subscription series. Graham marsh is an art director, illustrator and writer of many groundbreaking books including the cover art of blue note records volumes 1 and 2, east. Duke ellington money jungle lp tone poet series gregory porter all rise.
From the archives, a tribute that is worthy to the testimony that blue note is 70 years young this year 2009. Nduduzo makhathini modes of communication letters from the underworlds. Beyond the notes will play in the following us cities in july and august. Blue note records has been celebrating its eightdecade history this year.
Each of them merits inclusion in any guide to blue note. Not to sound corny but its a throw back to yesteryear. The biography chronicles the life of the most famous and influential jazz label of them all. Founded by alfred lion and max margulis in 1939, the label focused on jazz and built an important catalogue of traditional jazz and swing recordings through the 1940s. I had the distinct pleasure of attending a press briefing the other night to announce the release of a special limited edition box set of recordings to honor the 75 th anniversary of blue note records. Originally dedicated to recording traditional jazz and small group swing, the label switched its attention to modern jazz around 1947.
It seems theres a fair amount of misinformation out there regarding a perception that mono blue notes are superior to their stereo counterparts. A book, which is as handsome as a blue note record. Shop official blue note records merch, vinyl records, shirts and more. Lc 03 lc 003 flagship label of blue note records, a record company from new york. Insightful scenes abound in the first full history of the most no. New releases on this label run roughly from catalog numbers 4253 through 4375.
Blue note is unquestionably the most iconic jazz label there has ever been. The truth is, every rudy van gelder blue note session after october 30, 1958 was recorded in stereo only. Young man with a horn 1952, later retitled volume 1, miles davis volume 2 1953 and miles davis volume 3 1954. Jazz record center blue note records by frederick cohen bnr book hc hardback 112 pgs. A blue note records book, a beautifully illustrated history of the label, entitled uncompromising expression will be published in november.
Blue note, the uniquely american jazz label, was formed by german immigrants who loved the music form and wanted to tell the world about it. Official soundcloud account for blue note records new york. Herbie hancock, bobbi humphrey, cecil taylor and more. Blue note reissues vinyl records, sacds, dvd audio. I know the official bn site has them, but i need something i can print out in a page or two not 25 and see what im missing. The two main series were 1500, which ran from 1955 to 1958, and 4000, which ran c. Originally dedicated to recording traditional jazz and small group swing, the label switched its attention to modern jazz around. New york 23, ny usa contact info obsolete until ca. Blue note records is an american jazz record label owned by universal music group and operated under capitol music group. Blue note is a label that is mostly known for its releases in the jazz genre. Uncompromising expression is the first official illustrated history of blue note records. My knowledge of blue note in the 50s and 60s is pretty good but prior to that time it is pretty shaky.
San rafael, ca opens august 9 smith rafael film center. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Starting in 2014, blue note embarked on a 75th anniversary vinyl initiative to reissue 100 classic titles on vinyl. It mustnt be understated just how important this milestone is for jazz and for the greater good of music as a whole. Richard haverss book about blue note records, with its details of the inspirations and excesses of the labels major talents, amounts to a.
Now a division of capitol records, blue note was a pioneer in jazzs golden age, serving as a breeding ground for legends such as sidney bechet, art blakey. Price guide both buyers and sellers have an interested in the market price for blue note records, and though there are several services that can help, such as popsike and goldmine, there is an absence of factual analysis of. Through rare archival footage, current recording sessions and conversations with blue note artists, the film reveals a powerful mission and illuminates the vital connections between jazz and hip hop. Over the span of seventysix years, blue note has been a home at one time or another for almost every major and significant artist in jazz music. Blue note record shop in albany blue note record shop. Blue note audioquality graphic my current assessment of audio quality based on around 600 pressings of blue note recordings, of which around 250 are original pre1966 issues, and around 20 modern audiophile issues, and everything else in between. Jazz record center blue note records by frederick cohen bnr book sc spiral bound softcover 112 pgs. Established in 1939 by alfred lion and max margulis, it derived its name from the blue notes of jazz and the blues.
Lots has been written about blue note records and its seminal importance to the jazz scene. Blue note records celebrates 70 years of jazz from before bebop to the present day, some of the best jazz albums of all time have been issued by blue note records. In blue note records, the biography, author richard. Deep groove and plastylite ear are gone from all liberty pressings. Blue note label guide the jazz record explorations. The label was responsible for some of the worlds finest jazz releases, boosting a roster that included greats fats navarro, bud powell, thelonious monk, sonny rollins among others. Herbie hancock the prisoner lp tone poet series duke ellington money jungle lp tone poet series blue note records. Blue note remains one of the most influential jazz labels of all time, and its cover art is a virtual timecapsule of cool. Blue note records 1750 north vine street hollywood, ca 90028 usa blue note records 150 fifth avenue new york, ny 10011 usa ca. This book filled that gap very well, going into nice detail about the earlier recording sessions and how blue note slowly moved away from new orleans. Letters from the underworlds, an expansive album anchored by makhathinis expressive piano in which.
In saying that, it may well be the most iconic record label of all time. The cover art of blue note records is graham marsh and glyn callinghams classic collection of the finest record sleeves produced by the celebrated blue note record label. Illustrated from thousands of firsthand examinations of blue note records comes this exhaustive guide to identifying the many details that determine what is and what is not an original blue note pressing. Smaller in trim size, greatly expanded in content, this compendium of chronicles classic blue note books 50,000 copies sold is now an appealingly chunky paperback. Does anyone know where i can find a complete, uptodate list of the blue note rvg compactdisc reissue series. This hard cover edition is the complete compilation of the original volumes published nearly two decades ago. Identified by the 20xx blue note records along outer edge on right side of label and 150 5th avenue address on back cover. This is the discography of blue note records, the american jazz record label. Blue note records founded january 6, 1939, new york.