Bechet Coltrane, all the jazz greats have signed to the label. Everything is legendary: artists, bags, sound. The proof hundred titles reissued on vinyl.
“Blue Note, the finest in jazz since 1939″ , proclaims the logo label. It does not lie. Blue Note Jazz. Three words to music that will illustrate this with splendor brand single credo: “expression without concessions.” On all fronts: music, sound, look. Blue Note disc looks forward to listen. Most have been reissued on CD.
For its 75th anniversary, the Blue Note, passed under the direction of Universal, vinyl spring 30 centimeters its decisive hundred titles. They paint a vivid history of jazz as an art well-designed collection. The sumptuous album Textuel publish editions reproduced on this occasion the most successful covers and tells a story unique in the jazz
In late 20s, early 30s. If Paris is the capital Arts, Berlin welcomes innovation, vanguard bewitching nights. Black American jazz plays its role troublemaker – artistic, sensual, even political. Two Berliners who do not know each other yet, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, fall in love with this intelligent and free music
The Nazis are not mistaken. Jazz shows hyperbolically “degenerate art” they will hunt. Jews emigrate Lion and Wolff, moved to New York, get to know, become friends communing in the love of music that screams loud and independence, rejection of dictatorships, love and humor of life in all its manifestations.
Soon, they also understand that this music should be preserved from the threat ephemeral success in the jukebox. They are both fans of “old style” of piano boogie-woogie and stride – the famous left hand pump that shoots regularly on four time emphasizing the second and especially the fourth, which allows the right hand to twirl melodies.
A shelter of respect and freedom
The first jazz record they are pianists Albert Ammons and Meade Lux Lewis, happily surprised to be paid (well) for these sessions. Blue Note musicians became known as a haven run by two men who respect them, do not mix the directory, paid rehearsals and trying to sell their production. Francis Wolff is good at management; Alfred Lion, to unearth the talents and take pictures in black and white.
The first star to sign is called Sidney Bechet, clarinetist and soprano saxophonist native of New Orleans, representing great style of collective improvisation where the soloist emerges as a sun. It is the equal of Louis Armstrong, who has already started an international career while Bechet played gangsters in Paris, regardless of being recognized as a musician. Recorded sessions for Blue Note in June 1939 immediately sound like classics, with a Summertime Gershwin wildly emotional. The label is run.
Still, it was not until the late 40s Blue Note emancipates the New Orleans style. Alfred Lion discovered bebop through his prophet, Thelonious Sphere Monk. He records for the first time this pianist and composer unknown to the public. Under the title Genius of modern music 1947 sessions provide the material later, two long-playing discs 30 centimeters – a difficult decision for turning the label, which has accumulated stocks 25 centimeters.
His first real sales success, Blue Note knows through public records at Birdland in New York, with young musicians who infuse the bop energy gospel and R ‘n’B funky accents: Clifford Brown, Lou Donaldson, Horace Silver, Curly Russell, Art Blakey, a quintet of fire act the birth of hard bop, which Blue Note will be the plant and the window. This quintet emerge three emblematic formations: the quintet co-led by Clifford Brown and Max Roach – which will end the death of trumpeter in a car accident at the age of 26 – the Jazz Messengers Art Blakey and the quintet Horace Silver
From design and sound
Another important innovation, the Lion and Wolff draw from their European culture. a graphic to powerful lettering, avoiding the upper and integrating photos with dynamic geometry where the rigor rivals in the game. They leave the young artist Reid Miles free to give Blue Note a visual style epitomized by the cover of Cool Struttin ‘, the pianist Sonny Clark: close-up, thin ankles of a woman walking through New York. Added to this are written by the best critics, notes detailing the construction of themes.
Finally, Blue Note is also primarily a sound. Lens. Full. An innovative young engineer Rudy Van Gelder, managed to produce in the living room of her parents by placing his microphone so that one believes in the middle of the musicians. Van Gelder also works for other independent labels (Riverside Records and Prestige); the sound of jazz in those years is, to a large extent, his own. He built in Englewood, New Jersey, a large studio wood which magnifies its sound textures. This is where registered on 15 September 1957, the only album of John Coltrane released on Blue Note: Blue Train , the quintessence of hard-bop saxophonist do before parte explore modal jazz .
After the death of Francis Wolff, Alfred Lion sold the label in 1980. The brand is seeking, before Michael Bruce Lundvall Cuscuna then and now Don Was, musician and producer, restore its luster . The miracle is Norah Jones, the daughter of Ravi Shankar US. She insists that her pleasant songs appear under the Blue Note label. Come away with me has sold twenty-five million copies
The success restored the foundation of the label, which will be able to sign innovative and commercially credible artists: pianist Robert Glasper and vocalist Gregory Porter, among others. Open new chapter in the fascinating history of the blue note.
Concerts anniversary
From 18 to 23 November 2014 was held in Paris with the Blue Note Festival for major headliners, Gregory Porter (18), Robert Glasper Experiment (19), Jason Moran & amp; Robert Glasper Duet, more Blue Note 75th Anniversary All-Stars (20) Delgondo Jazz Trio and Sophie Alour, “Tribute to Horace Silver” (22), Oran Etkin Quartet, “Tribute to Eric Dolphy, Out to lunch! “(22).
Exceptional evening 19: in the presence of Gregory Porter and Marcus Miller. Michael Cuscuna sign his beautiful book collector on Blue Note, limited edition, signed and numbered by Wayne Shorter in person. YellowKorner gallery, 137, rue Saint-Martin, Paris 4th.
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