Black Jazz Records

Last updated
Black Jazz Records
Founded1969 (1969)
Founder Gene Russell
Dick Schory
Defunct1975 (1975)
Distributor(s)Ovation Records
GenreJazz
Country of originU.S.
Location Oakland, California

Black Jazz Records was a jazz record company and label founded in Oakland, California [1] by pianist Gene Russell (December 2, 1932 - May 3, 1981) [2] [3] [4] and percussionist Dick Schory. [1] [5] [2] [6] The label was created to promote the talents of young African American jazz musicians and singers, and released twenty albums between 1971 and 1975. The artists who recorded for Black Jazz Records included Cleveland Eaton, former bassist for Count Basie and Ramsey Lewis, and organist/pianist Doug Carn, whose four albums were the most successful of any Black Jazz artist. [7] Carn's wife at the time, Jean Carn, sang on his albums; she changed her name to Jean Carne and had a successful solo career as an R & B singer. [8] Singer Kellee Patterson gained notice as the first black Miss Indiana in 1971, before recording her debut album, Maiden Voyage, with Black Jazz Records in 1973. [9] [10] The label was distributed and financed by Ovation Records, a country and western label based in Chicago, which was also founded by Schory. [6] [11] Black Jazz Records was considered at the time to be the first jazz label started by an African American since brothers John and Reb Spikes started Sunshine Records in 1921. [3] [Note 1]

Contents

History

Black Jazz Records was founded in 1969, and released its first four albums on August 1, 1971. [5] [6] The founders were Gene Russell, a jazz pianist, and Dick Schory, a Grammy-nominated percussionist also known for his development of the stereo recording techniques quadraphonic sound, Dynagroove, and RCA Victor's Stereo Action. [16] [17] Schory founded Ovation Records in 1969, after leaving RCA. [16] Ovation financed and distributed Black Jazz Records, while Russell served as an A&R executive. Russell also produced and engineered the label's initial releases, while maintaining complete artistic control through his production company, GR Productions. [6] [18]

Russell's vision for Black Jazz Records was for it to be geared towards the Black community, and all of the artists recording for the label were African American. [6] The label was created as an alternative to traditional jazz, invoking a more political and spiritual tone, often with funk overtones. [5] Black Jazz released various types of music including, funk, free jazz and soul jazz. Black Jazz Records was also known for its unique album cover concept, which was copyrighted by the label. The concept included a design that allowed the title to be shown regardless of how the albums were positioned in the browsing rack at record stores. All of the albums had white lettering on a black background, with the liner notes and personnel listed in the same place on each of the label's releases. [6] Russell organized a promotional tour for the label in September 1971. In addition to promoting the first four Black Jazz albums, Russell and his marketing consultant Ray Lawrence did radio, television and newspaper interviews to showcase the label and its artists. [19] A 1974 Billboard magazine article reported that Doug Carn, one of the label's more successful artists, sold more records than Dave Brubeck and Ramsey Lewis at that time. [5] [7] The label existed for six years during its first run, folding in 1975. [5] [4]

Re-discovery

James Hardge

Gene Russell closed Black Jazz Records in 1975 to focus on his new label, Aquarican Records. He started the new label in an effort to "remove the stigma attached to jazz titles." [18] Russell intended to move Black Jazz artists to Aquarican Records, but he did not sign his first artist to the label until 1980, when he signed singer Talita Long. Long recorded with Gene Russell as well as Henry Franklin, and is the mother of actress Nia Long. [3] [20] Gene Russell died in 1981, and the albums from Black Jazz Records faded out of circulation until 1986, when James Hardge, Jr. bought the inactive label's master recordings. By the early 1990s, he had re-issued the entire collection on compact disc, including a new release by Doug Carn. [5] [21] [22]

Interest in Black Jazz was revived in the early 1990s when Carn's songs "Infant Eyes", "Adam's Apple", and "Spirit in a New Land" became popular in England and Japan. The label's music also became popular through samples used by hip-hop artists such as Ice Cube and A Tribe Called Quest. This new demand led to numerous bootleg copies of Black Jazz material entering the market. [21] [23] While Hardge maintains a Myspace page for the label, attempts to sell the CDs online were unsuccessful, and he eventually offered Black Jazz Records for sale on Craigslist for $285,000 in 2011. [21] [22] [24] The Black Jazz catalog was eventually licensed to the Japanese label Snow Dog Records. [25] [26]

Snow Dog Records

Snow Dog Records acquired the licensing to Black Jazz Records in 2012, and began reissuing the albums as its first project. [26] The remastered albums included new liner notes and previously unpublished photographs. [25] They have also released a series featuring remixes of Black Jazz material produced by DJ's from Japan, Germany, and the United States: DJ Mitsu, Gilles Peterson, Muro, and Theo Parrish. [27] [28] [29]

Legacy

The legacy of Black Jazz Records has been kept alive by reissues of its albums, remixes and samples by DJ's and hip-hop artists. There have also been occasional tours and concerts where former Black Jazz artists have performed music from their recordings with the label. Doug Carn, Rudolph Johnson and Henry Franklin joined other veteran musicians as the Black Jazz Allstars, and performed a series of shows at the Center for African and African American Art and Culture in San Francisco, California, from April 29 to May 7, 2000. [23] Guitarist Calvin Keys joined former label mates Henry Franklin and Carl Burnett in "Heroes of Black Jazz, a Tribute to Gene Russell", on July 14, 2011 at the Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center in Leimert Park, Los Angeles. [30] Calvin Keys' first album, Shawn-Neeq, originally recorded with Black Jazz Records in 1971, was re-issued by Tompkins Square Records in 2012. [31] Keys celebrated the re-issue of "Shawn-Neeq" by performing the entire album at Yoshi's jazz club in San Francisco, California on January 5, 2012. [32] Doug Carn and his ex-wife Jean Carne played together at the 2013 Savannah Jazz Festival in Savannah, Georgia on September 28, 2013. [33]

Black Jazz Records Discography

BJQDArtistsTitleRecorded
1 Gene Russell New Direction1971
2 Walter Bishop Jr. Coral Keys 1971
3 Doug Carn Infant Eyes1971
4Rudolph JohnsonSpring Rain1971
5 Calvin Keys Shawn-Neeq1971
6Chester ThompsonPowerhouse1971
7 Henry Franklin The Skipper1972
8Doug CarnSpirit of the New Land1972
9The AwakeningHear, Sense and Feel1972
10Gene RussellTalk To My Lady1973
11Rudolph JohnsonThe Second Coming1973
12Kellee PattersonMaiden Voyage1973
14Walter Bishop, Jr. Keeper of My Soul 1973
15The AwakeningMirage1973
16Doug CarnRevelation1973
17Henry FranklinThe Skipper At Home1974
18Calvin KeysProceed With Caution!1974
19Roland HaynesThe Second Wave1975
20Cleveland EatonPlenty Good Eaton1975
21Doug CarnAdam's Apple1974
22Doug CarnNew Incentive: Firm Roots2001

[22]

Black Jazz Releases Under Snow Dog Records

Re-mix Series

BJQDArtistsTitleRecorded
1DJ MitsuThe Beats: Solid Black2012
2 Gilles Peterson Black Jazz Radio2012
3MuroKing of Diggin': Diggin' Black Jazz2013
4 Theo Parrish Black Jazz Signature - Black Jazz Records: 1971-19762013

Musicians

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MCA Records</span> American record label

MCA Records was an American record label owned by MCA Inc. established in 1972, though MCA had released recordings under that name in the UK from the 1960s. The label achieved success in the 1970s through the 1980s, often by acquiring other record labels, from ABC to Motown to Geffen. MCA Inc. became Universal Studios, Inc., in 1996, and the MCA record label was folded into Universal Music Group's Geffen Records in 2003, but Universal's MCA Nashville continues to use the moniker.

<i>Earth, Wind & Fire</i> (album) 1971 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

Earth, Wind & Fire is the debut studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in March 1971 by Warner Bros. Records. The album peaked at No. 24 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Epic Records</span> American record label

Epic Records is an American record label owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, the American division of Japanese conglomerate Sony. The label was founded predominantly as a jazz and classical music label in 1953, but later expanded its scope to include a more diverse range of genres, including pop, R&B, rock, and hip hop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vee-Jay Records</span> American record label

Vee-Jay Records is an American record label founded in the 1950s, located in Chicago and specializing in blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and rock and roll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leon Russell</span> American singer-songwriter (1942–2016)

Leon Russell was an American musician and songwriter who was involved with numerous bestselling records during his 60-year career that spanned multiple genres, including rock and roll, country, gospel, bluegrass, rhythm and blues, southern rock, blues rock, folk, surf and the Tulsa sound. His recordings earned six gold records and he received two Grammy Awards from seven nominations. In 1973 Billboard named Russell the "Top Concert Attraction in the World". In 2011, he was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Velma Jean Terrell is an American R&B and jazz singer. She replaced Diana Ross as the lead singer of The Supremes in 1970.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelter Records</span> American record label

Shelter Records was a U.S. record label started by Leon Russell and Denny Cordell that operated from 1969 to 1981. The company established offices in both Los Angeles and Tulsa, Russell's home town, where the label sought to promote a "workshop atmosphere" with a recording studio in a converted church, adjoining houses for artists working at the studio, and other facilities. The Tulsa recording studio was housed in the historic The Church Studio. Russell remained with Shelter until 1976, when he and Cordell fell out. In a settlement, Cordell then became sole owner of the label, while Russell left to start his own label, Paradise Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fantasy Records</span> American independent record label

Fantasy Records is an American independent record label company founded by brothers Max and Sol Stanley Weiss in 1949. The early years of the company were dedicated to issuing recordings by jazz pianist Dave Brubeck, who was also one of its investors, but in more recent years the label has been known for its recordings of comedian Lenny Bruce, jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi, the last recordings made on the Wurlitzer organ in the San Francisco Fox Theatre before the theatre was demolished, organist Korla Pandit, the 1960s rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, bandleader Woody Herman, and Disco/R&B singer Sylvester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grover Washington Jr.</span> American jazz saxophonist (1943–1999)

Grover Washington Jr. was an American jazz-funk and soul-jazz saxophonist and Grammy Award winner. Along with Wes Montgomery and George Benson, he is considered by many to be one of the founders and legends of the smooth jazz genre. He wrote some of his material and later became an arranger and producer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Artists Records</span> American record label

United Artists Records was an American record label founded by Max E. Youngstein of United Artists in 1957 to issue movie soundtracks. The label expanded into other genres, such as easy listening, jazz, pop, and R&B.

Jubilee Records was an American independent record label, specializing in rhythm and blues and novelty records. It was founded in New York City in 1946 by Herb Abramson. His partner was Jerry Blaine. Blaine bought Abramson's half of the company in 1947, when Abramson went on to co-found Atlantic Records with Ahmet Ertegun. The company name was Jay-Gee Recording Company, a subsidiary of the Cosnat Corporation. Cosnat was a wholesale record distributor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jean Carn</span> American jazz and pop singer (born 1947)

Jean Carn, also spelled Jean Carne is an American R&B/soul and jazz singer. In mid-career, she added a final e to her name. Carn is a vocalist credited with a five-octave vocal range.

<i>The Need of Love</i> 1971 studio album by Earth, Wind & Fire

The Need of Love is the second studio album by American band Earth, Wind & Fire, released in November 1971 by Warner Bros. Records. The album reached No. 35 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. The Need of Love would be the band's final album for Warner Bros. until 1993's Millennium on Reprise Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norman Connors</span> American drummer (born 1947)

Norman Connors is an American jazz drummer, composer, arranger, and producer who has led a number of influential jazz and R&B groups. He also achieved several big R&B hits of the day, especially with love ballads. He is possibly best known for the 1976 hit, "You Are My Starship" on which lead vocals were sung by Michael Henderson.

W&G Records was an Australian recording company that operated from the early 1950s to the 1970s. It was a subsidiary of the Melbourne precision engineering company White & Gillespie.

Doug Carn is an American jazz musician from St. Augustine, Florida, formerly married to Jean Carne and known for his several albums released for Black Jazz Records. Carn is a multi-instrumentalist known primarily for his work on organ and piano.

William Eugene Russell, known as Gene Russell, was an American pop, jazz, and soul keyboardist who played acoustic and Fender Rhodes. He is mainly known for founding and releasing albums on Black Jazz Records.

Calvin Keys was an American jazz guitarist, known for the several albums he released for Black Jazz Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pistol Packin' Mama</span> 1942 song by Al Dexter

"Pistol Packin' Mama" was a "Hillbilly"-Honky Tonk record released at the height of World War II that became a nationwide sensation, and the first "Country" song to top the Billboard popular music chart. It was written by Al Dexter of Troup, Texas, who recorded it in Los Angeles, California on March 20, 1942, with top session musicians Dick Roberts, Johnny Bond and Dick Reinhart, who all normally worked for Gene Autry. It was used in the 1943 film Pistol Packin' Mama, starring Ruth Terry and Robert Livingston.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russell Patterson (singer)</span> American singer-songwriter

Russell Patterson is an American singer, songwriter, recording artist, record producer, and actor. Patterson is an original member of the 1970s R&B Group, Black Ivory who recorded a number of R&B hits including, "Don't Turn Around", "You and I", "I'll Find A Way ", "Time Is Love", and "Mainline".

References

  1. 1 2 "Black Jazz Records." www.allrecordlabels.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  2. 1 2 Nastos, Michael G. "Gene Russell." www.allmusic.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 "Gene Russell's Back With L.A. Label." Billboard Magazine , September 27, 1980. Google Books. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Williams, Jean. "It's Back to Piano for Russell." Billboard Magazine , June 9, 1979. Google Books. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "A Tribute to Black Jazz Records." www.choicecuts.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Black Owned Jazz Label to Bow With Black Acts Only." Billboard Magazine , July 3, 1971. Google Books . Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  7. 1 2 "Top Jazz Albums: ARTISTS." Billboard Magazine, December 26, 1974. Google Books. Retrieved November 27, 0215.
  8. ↑ Wynn, Ron. "Doug Carn." www.allmusic.com. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  9. ↑ Harris, Tamara. "Throwback: Kellee Patterson-Turn on the Lights." www.kickmag.net, August 14, 2011. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Profile: Kellee Patterson." Discogs. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Who's Who in A&R at Ovation." New on the Charts, 1979. www.notc.com. Retrieved October 16, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Benjamin F. Spike." www.doctorjazz.co.uk. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  13. ↑ Granshaw, Michelle. "Black Swan Records(1921-1923)." www.blackpast.org. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  14. ↑ Pekar, Harvey. "A new reissue chronicles Debut Records' jazz highlights of the 1950s." www.metroactive.com, October 30-November 5, 1997. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Debut Records Discography Project." www.jazzdisco.org. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
  16. 1 2 Weiss, Lauren Vogel. "Hall of Fame: Dick Schory." www.pas.org. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  17. ↑ "RCA Victor Stereo Action Series." www.musiceureka.wordpress.com, October 29, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  18. 1 2 Williams, Jean. "Jazz Sneaks Into R&B Scheduling." Billboard Magazine, September 13, 1975. Google Books. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Black Jazz Promo Tour." Billboard Magazine, September 4, 1971. Google Books. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Talita Long." www.burkemanagementfirm.com. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  21. 1 2 3 Koshkin, Brett. "Wanna Own a Legendary Record Label? Black Jazz Puts Itself Up for Sale." www.laweekly.com, August 6, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  22. 1 2 3 "Black Jazz Records." www.discogs.com. Retrieved October 12, 2015.
  23. 1 2 Varela, Jesse. "Black Jazz Label Reborn." www.mtv.com, April 29, 2000. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  24. ↑ Harvey, Jamison. "Black Jazz Records Master Tapes for Sale on Craigslist?" www.fleamarketfunk.com, June 28, 2011.
  25. 1 2 "Label Profile: Snow Dog Projects." www.snwdg.com. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  26. 1 2 "Releases." www.snwdg.com. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Snow Dog Records: Mixes." www.snwdg.com. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  28. ↑ Shaw, Steve. "Theo Parrish’s Black Jazz Signature: Black Jazz Records 1971-1976." www.factmag.com, August 27, 2013.
  29. ↑ "Muro: King of Diggin': Diggin' Black Jazz." www.forcedexposure.com, November 6, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Barbara Morrison Performing Arts Center Features Gene Russell Tribute, 7/14." www.broadwayworld.com, July 5, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Calvin Keys: Shawn-Neeq." www.tompkinssquare.com. Retrieved November 9, 2015.
  32. ↑ Gilbert, Andrew. "Guitarist Calvin Keys Helps Celebrate Vinyl Reissue of His 1971 'Shawn-Neeq' With a Yoshi's Gig." www.mercurynews.com, January 5, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2015.
  33. ↑ DeYoung, Bill. "Doug and Jean Carn: The First Couple of Black Jazz: Reunited onstage for the Jazz Fest." www.connectsavannah.com, September 25, 2013. Retrieved November 8, 2015.

Notes

  1. ↑ Sunshine Records only released six records, all by Kid Ory's jazz band. [12] Black Swan Records, also founded in 1921 by Harry Pace, specialized in jazz and blues. It is more commonly known as the first black-owned jazz label due to its wider distribution. [13] The Billboard article also fails to mention Debut Records, a jazz label started in 1952 by bassist Charlie Mingus, his wife Celia, and drummer Max Roach. [14] [15]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.