April 12, 2024
Blue Note Records’ 85th Anniversary celebrations continue with the announcement of the new photography exhibition The All Seeing Eye: Blue Note Records Through the Lens of Francis Wolff presented by The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame which opens at the Boch Center in Boston on May 1. Other anniversary happenings include a 2nd pressing of the VMP Anthology: The Story of Blue Note Records, the return of the Blue Note Authorized Dealer Program at indie record stores, and the release of several new Blue Note Merch collections.
85 years ago in 1939, a German-Jewish immigrant and passionate Jazz fan named Alfred Lion produced his first recording session in New York City founding what would go on to become the most iconic and longest-running Jazz label in the world. For 85 years Blue Note Records has represented The Finest In Jazz, tracing the entire history of the music from Hot Jazz, Boogie Woogie, and Swing, through Bebop, Hard Bop, Post-Bop, Soul Jazz, Avant-Garde, and Fusion, and—after being relaunched by Bruce Lundvall in 1984—has remained the leading label dedicated to documenting today’s vibrant and creatively thriving Jazz scene under the leadership of current President Don Was, who took the helm in 2012.
The vitality of Blue Note Records is evident in the slate of exciting new releases that have already come out to wide acclaim this year by Charles Lloyd, Norah Jones, Julian Lage, Joel Ross, and Ethan Iverson with upcoming releases on the way from Melissa Aldana, Bill Frisell, Nduduzo Makhathini, Meshell Ndegeocello, Bill Charlap, Walter Smith III, Immanuel Wilkins, The Blue Note Quintet, and more. 2024 will also see previously unreleased archival live recordings by Ron Miles and Wayne Shorter.
- The All Seeing Eye: Blue Note Records Through the Lens of Francis Wolff: The Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame explores Blue Note history with an exhibition of Francis Wolff’s photography opening May 1 at the Boch Center in Boston. Wolff fled Nazi Germany in 1939 bound for New York City where he reunited with his childhood friend Alfred Lion and joined him in running his newly founded label Blue Note Records. Soon, Wolff was bringing his Rolleiflex camera to recording sessions and jazz clubs where he captured intimate portraits of musicians at work, and over the next three decades he documented jazz history as it happened. While these candid photographs gave the Blue Note brand a distinctive look, Wolff’s images are now recognized as true works of art. Tickets are on sale now.
- Blue Note Authorized Dealer Program: We’re thrilled to announce the return of our affiliate program of independent record stores. Hundreds of stores across the U.S. and beyond will display the Blue Note Authorized Dealer logo and carry special 85th Anniversary collectibles as well as a wide selection of Blue Note titles. Stay tuned for news on special releases including an exclusive series of color vinyl variants. See the list of participating stores.
- VMP Anthology: The Story of Blue Note Records: The first-ever release in the Anthology series from Vinyl Me, Please was a 6-album 7-LP boxset that celebrated the legacy of Blue Note Records and took listeners on an immersive journey into the label’s history with albums by Horace Silver, Dexter Gordon, Lou Donaldson, Wayne Shorter, Bobby Hutcherson, and Ambrose Akinmusire. The first run of the limited-edition set sold out in minutes when it was released in 2019 but is getting a 2nd pressing this year. Available for pre-order now.
- Tone Poet Audiophile Vinyl Reissue Series: The acclaimed series is produced by the “Tone Poet” Joe Harley and features definitive all-analog, 180g audiophile vinyl reissues that are mastered from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray, manufactured at RTI, and packaged in deluxe gatefold tip-on jackets. The titles featured in the series are handpicked by Harley and include acknowledged treasures of the Blue Note catalog as well as underrated classics, modern era standouts, and albums from other labels under the Blue Note umbrella including Pacific Jazz, United Artists, and Transition. The 2024 line-up includes a special 3-LP release of Sonny Rollins’ A Night at the Village Vanguard: The Complete Masters which presents the complete recordings of the legendary saxophonist’s seminal 1957 live trio album in a single vinyl package for the 1st time including a booklet with never-before-seen Francis Wolff photos, essays & a new interview with Rollins.
- Classic Vinyl Reissue Series: Curated by Don Was and Cem Kurosman, the series is an exploration of the extensive Blue Note catalog with titles that span the many eras and styles of the legendary label’s storied history. The series presents 180g all-analog vinyl reissues in standard packaging that are mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes and manufactured at Optimal. The newly announced 2024 line-up includes crown jewels of the catalog by Art Blakey and Hank Mobley, lesser-known gems by Duke Pearson and Jutta Hipp, 1970s records by Grant Green and Lonnie Smith sampled in hip-hop, and modern classics by Aaron Parks and Jason Moran which will get their first-ever vinyl release.
- Blue Note Merch: The Blue Note Store is the premiere online destination for all things Blue Note including new releases, vinyl reissues, and exclusive merchandise including apparel, accessories, drinkware, and home decor. In celebration of our 85th Anniversary and Jazz Appreciation Month we’ll be featuring a new merch drop each week throughout April starting with our 85th Anniversary Collection which follows our recent Blue Note Baseball Collection and Charles Lloyd Collection.
- The Francis Wolff Collection: Our series of limited-edition fine art photography collector’s pieces celebrates the legacy of Blue Note co-founder and photographer Francis Wolff as well as the musicians he loved. The series launched with a collection of one-of-a-kind pieces featuring Wolff’s iconic photographs of the legendary saxophonist John Coltrane at the 1957 recording session for his masterpiece Blue Train and will continue this year with additional releases.
- Canvas Wall Art of Classic Blue Note Album Covers: We’ve expanded our offerings of archival-quality, framed canvas prints in dynamic scale featuring the legendary album cover designs of Reid Miles. New designs include Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers Indestructible, Hank Mobley Soul Station, Grant Green Idle Moments, Dexter Gordon A Swingin’ Affair, Lee Morgan Cornbread, Larry Young Unity, Andrew Hill Black Fire, and more.
- The Return of Blue Note Review: Our vinyl boxset subscription series returns this year with the release of the long-awaited Volume Three which celebrates the legacy of trumpeter Lee Morgan. Curated by Don Was, the series encapsulates the continuum of the legendary Jazz label’s storied past and auspicious future with an exclusive collection of new recordings and timeless treasures from the Blue Note vaults accompanied by unique physical items and writings that capture the enduringly hip Blue Note aesthetic. Blue Note Review: Volume Two – Spirit & Time is still available at bluenotereview.com.
- Blue Note Playlists: Spend time with the Blue Note curator profiles on Apple Music, Spotify, Tidal, or YouTube and enjoy playlists that explore the many eras, styles, and artists that have made The Finest In Jazz Since 1939. From the Classic Hits to Jazz Now. Hard Bop to The 70s. Jazz for morning or night. Keep it funky with Blue Groove or unwind with Calm. Hear the great Blue Note vocalists or organists. Explore the hybridists on The New Groove or Jazz Meets Hip-Hop. Our artist spotlight playlists celebrate Blue Note legends like Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Art Blakey, Horace Silver, Lee Morgan, Hank Mobley, Dexter Gordon, Donald Byrd, Grant Green, Jimmy Smith, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, and Ornette Coleman.
