The history of blue note records from a record collectors perspective, supplemented with commentary regarding audio quality, a topic on which wiki editors and music journalists alike appear entirely oblivious. A blue note is a flattened or in the terminology of jazz a worried note, which dips below the major scale to vouch for the intensity of an emotion. Purveyor of extraordinary music and an arbiter of cool, blue note is the. Sell blue note record collection we buy blue note records online or at our nj music store. Flagship label of blue note records, a record company from new york. Blue note records founded january 6, 1939, new york. Jul 20, 2003 below is an excerpt from cooks blue note records, the biography book excerpt.
Blue note book strongest in history of jazz label japan. Founded by alfred lion, francis wolff and max margulis in 1939, the seminal jazz label blue note records recently celebrated its 75th anniversary and commemorated the milestone with an extensive vinyl reissue initiative. Originally dedicated to recording traditional jazz and small group swing, the label switched its attention to modern. A combination of the record label variety, and engravings in the runout groove some refer to it as the dead wax or trail off the vinyl land between the end of the music grooves and the label will enable you to decide if a record is a first pressing, a later pressing though still an original blue note pre1966, or a reissue. This authoritative 400page book compiles the definitive history of what was. The story of the fabled jazz label blue note records, with studio photos. Below is an excerpt from cooks blue note records, the biography book excerpt. May 24, 2019 the history of blue note records from a record collectors perspective, supplemented with commentary regarding audio quality, a topic on which wiki editors and music journalists alike appear entirely oblivious. Richard haverss book about blue note records, with its details of the inspirations. My only complaint is the authors obvious bias against the 70s.
Seminal jazz label blue note has announced the inaugural edition of its new biannual, luxury box set subscription series. Blue note is the most collectible of all the jazz labels. In 1925, 16year old alfred lion noticed a concert poster for sam woodings orchestra near his favorite iceskating. 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 releasing the hot jazz that they loved.
The period defined by 19534 is one of the most critical in blue notes history, since so many of the. This hard cover edition is the complete compilation of the original volumes published nearly two decades ago. Our selection of favorite tracks from the blue note vaults, updated monthly so. The same fine sound as 47w63rdwithout the inc and, being pressed with stampers originating from the same master acetate. Fred cohens book remains the most reliable source for first pressing. Beyond the notes explores the unique vision behind the iconic jazz record label. 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. This new edition gathers the entirety of the two original volumes published nearly two decades ago.
New york, ny 10104 usa contact info obsolete 19571958. Lc 03 lc 003 flagship label of blue note records, a record company from new york. Excellent history of blue note records from its earliest years, the author mostly writes about what matters, the music. Blue note label guide the jazz record explorations into. Blue note records location 47 west 63rd street and other jazz. Rate your music is an online community of people who love music. 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. Click here to find out how much we can pay for your blue note records. The official address of the building is 4749 west 63rd street.
Blue note is a label that is mostly known for its releases in the jazz genre. Blue note label boss, don was, is not ready to give up on jazz. Mar 08, 2018 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. Lonnie smith, gregory porter, kandace springs, terence blanchard, derrick hodge, and blue note allstars featuring ambrose akinmusire, robert. In blue note records, the biography, author richard cook tells the story of alfred lion and. Beyond the notes will play in the following us cities in july and august.
The 400page hardcover book is authored by richard havers and tells the 75. To millions of jazz fans around the world, blue note is more than a business, more than a back catalogue of extraordinary music, even more than. When you rate your music, the sites musicsocial recommender can recommend similar music and. Founded in philadelphia, pennsylvania in the middle of the 1950s as the charlemagnes, the group is most noted for several hits on gamble and huffs philadelphia international label between 1972 and. Universally revered for its incredulously impressive roster of legendary artists and its iconic album cover artwork masterminded by artist reid miles and executivephotographer. Nduduzo makhathini modes of communication letters from the underworlds. Jun 11, 2014 blue note, one of the foremost jazz record labels, is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a vinyl initiative, releasing highlights from its massive catalog over the course of two years.
Seventyone minutes hardly seems long enough to tell the story of a record label so profoundly influential as blue note. With beyond the note, she clearly and simply points the way through the labels eightyyear history. Blue note is unquestionably the most iconic jazz label there has ever been. We are always looking for soughtafter titles, and there are. To millions of jazz fans around the world, blue note is more than a business, more than a back catalogue of extraordinary music, even more than an exciting sound and a distinctive look.
May 01, 2004 blue note records is arguably the single most recognizable record label in the history of recorded music. The same must be said of don was, the consummate music man who joined blue note in 2011 as chief creative officer and became president of the label in 2012. Discography of the blue note label blue note was started in new york city in 1938 by alfred w. A history of blue note records with richard havers duration. Easily identified by the lt prefix in the catalog number, running from lt987 to lt1103. Coltrane was not signed to a label at the time late 1956 to early 1957 and went to see legendary blue note producer, alfred lion, for some sidney bechet albums. This is the discography of blue note records, the american jazz record label. Yet even a marathon film of multiple parts could not capture the essence of this phenomenon any more completely and certainly no more succinctly than sophie huber does on her second stint as a documentarian her debut was the. While it is a good light reading of a particular american music scene, the book also contains abundant blue notes signature album covers, inner sleeves, session notes, photos, contact sheets and even paper stashes which is. After these releases blue note was no longer active as a label until 1984. Margulis wrote up a mission statement that was to guide blue note through the coming decades. Originally dedicated to recording traditional jazz and small group swing, the label switched its attention to. 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.
Eschewing tales of boardroom politics and pages of record. With over 400 of the best covers in the record labels history, the cover art of blue note records is an essential collection for every jazz fan. Yes, blue note records went into decline after the retirement of alfred lion. Liberty records 196669, united artists records 196979 founded by. Blue note records is arguably the single most recognizable record label in the history of recorded music. In saying that, it may well be the most iconic record label of all time. Just two weeks later, lion and his friend max margulis booked time in a studio to record some of the artists at hammonds concert, and blue note records was born. A combination of the record label variety, and engravings in the runout groove some refer to it as the dead wax or trail off the vinyl land between the end of the music grooves and the label will enable you to decide if a record is a first pressing, a later pressing though still. Beyond the notes eagle vision 2019 seventyone minutes hardly seems long enough to tell the story of a record label so profoundly influential as blue note. Blue note records 1750 north vine street hollywood, ca 90028 usa blue note records 150 fifth avenue new york, ny 10011 usa ca.
In this landmark book, jazz writer cook coauthor of the penguin guide to jazz on cd presents a history of the label, from its 1939 start producing hot jazz and. Lp label guide record labels a c blue note blue note. On coffeetable size book, richard havers lucidly writes about the 75 years history of the iconic american jazz label. In many ways, the bnr is a bridge between the label s past and future. Blue note, one of the foremost jazz record labels, is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a vinyl initiative, releasing highlights from its massive catalog over the course of two years. The story of the fabled jazz label blue note records, with studio photos and. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. Blue note launches limited edition vinyl box set subscription. Learn about the 75 year history of this iconic 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. Blue note records is an american jazz record label owned by universal music group and operated under capitol music group. A blue note records book, a beautifully illustrated history of the label, entitled uncompromising expression will be published in november. Shop exclusive music and apparel from the official blue note records store. In many ways, the bnr is a bridge between the labels past and future.
Insightful scenes abound in the first full history of the most noted label in jazz history. Blue note book strongest in history of jazz label japan used japan criticism fs descriptionblue note is a record label which is famous as a treasure house of jazz daimyos records, and it is a beloved edition of all jazz fans cataloguing all the released works together with recorded data, jacket pictures. Manufactured after 1960 when blue note records became an incorporated company and a registered trademark, and predecessor to the new york label. Established in 1939 by alfred lion and max margulis, it derived its name from the blue notes of jazz and the blues. Most of the records were studio recordings produced by alfred lion or francis wolff. Jan 06, 2009 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. The worlds most famous jazz label celebrated for its striking use of design as much as for its groundbreaking recordings is 75 this year. Blue note was started in new york city in 1938 by alfred w. As an independent collector with no editor or advertisers to please, i can offer opinion a little more freely, and often do. Nov 16, 2014 a blue note is a flattened or in the terminology of jazz a worried note, which dips below the major scale to vouch for the intensity of an emotion. New york 23, ny usa contact info obsolete until ca. Blue note records location 47 west 63rd street and other. The following history of the blue note record label is from the blue note website.
Jazz record center blue note records by frederick cohen bnr book hc hardback 112 pgs. In blue note records, the biography, author richard cook tells the story of alfred lion and francis wolff, who formed the label in 1939. 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. With was at the helm, blue note has renewed its dedication to lions original vision that any particular style of playing which represents an authentic way of musical feeling is.
Blue note records was created by alfred lion and francis wolff, both german immigrants who journeyed to the states in the midthirties. Sep 06, 2010 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. Titles issued in this series were unreleased albums from the blue note vaults. Blue note records is an american jazz record label owned by universal music group and operated with decca records. The biography chronicles the life of the most famous and influential jazz label of them all. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. The two main series were 1500, which ran from 1955 to 1958, and 4000, which ran c. 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.
They have a rich and long history, and as such there have been many label variations over the years, each with its own distinct characteristics. Prior to that, from 1951 to 1957, they were at 767 lexington avenue. Blue note label guide the jazz record explorations. Blue note records moved to 47 west 63rd between broadway and central park west in 1957 and stayed there until 1966. 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. Richard haverss book about blue note records, with its details of.
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