Blue Note Records

Blue Note is a label that stands for more than just the extraordinary music in its catalogue. The label's story has hitherto been told only through collections of art and photography, foregrounding the label as an arbiter of style that continues to have great influence. Francis Wolff's photography, coupled with Reid Miles' designs, set an unrepeatable standard which has become a classic design symbol. But of course it was not only style and elegance in design that set Blue Note apart; Miles David, Thelonius Monk, Bud Powell, Sonny Rollins and - perhaps the archetypal Blue Note group - Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers all made their most significant early recordings under the auspices of the Blue Note genius. The body of this book is a detailed history of the label from its beginnings in 1939, its development, rise, fall and rebirth. Also included is a parallel analysis of all the major records released by the label throughout its history.

"Blue Note records are designed simply to serve the uncompromising expression of hot jazz and swing, in general. Any particular style of playing which represents an authentic way of musical feeling is genuine expression. By virtue of its significance in place, time and circumstance, it possesses its own tradition, artistic standards and audience that keeps it alive. Hot jazz, therefore, is expression and communication, a musical and social manifestation, and Blue Note Records are concerned with identifying its impulse, not its sensational and commercial adornments."—from a flyer for one of Blue Note’s early releases, dated May, 1939.

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Blue Note Records is arguably the single most recognizable record label in the history of recorded music. 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. It is the heart of jazz. It is Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver, Kenny Burrell, and the ubiquitous Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers — all making their most significant early recordings under the auspices of the Blue Note genius.

Blue Note Records: The Biography chronicles the life of the most famous and influential jazz label of them all.

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. It’s all here, from the development, to the rise, fall and rebirth. From Sidney Bechet to Norah Jones, Richard Cook examines life behind the scenes and a parallel analysis of all the major records released throughout Blue Note’s history.

The pioneering label of jazz’s golden age, Blue Note Records is still a conspicuous arbiter of style that continues to have influence. Richard Cook captures the subtle art of Rudy van Gelder’s distinctive, oft-imitated recording techniques, Francis Wolff’s invaluable jazz photography, and Reid Miles’ cool, trend-setting album designs which together set the standard that became – and continues to be — the classic symbol of the best in jazz.