Back in 1940, Keynote Recordings Inc. was a new, small and independent New York company with offices at 522 Fifth Ave., recently founded by Eric Bernay, the owner of a midtown Manhattan record store called The Music Room. Bernay was musically openminded and, looking for a place in the increasingly convulsed American record industry, he launched a catalog of varied music and performers.
The nature of Keynotes early releases stopped them reaching a broader market, but at the end of 1943 he took a decision that, for a while, helped move his business in the right direction: Keynote turned to jazz and for the following three and a half years built up a large 78 rpm record catalog of 10 and 12-inch albums which contributed greatly to documenting the jazz history of forties America.
Responsible for this impressive venture was an unlikely figure; a Javanese fan called Harry Lim. During this relatively short period he used his deep knowledge and great contacts to record some of the most celebrated jazz soloists and outstanding newcomers on the New York, Chicago and Los Angeles jazz scenesdiscs that rapidly became collectors items. This box set is a homage to Harry Lim, who made Keynote the legendary jazz label it is today.
Tracklist:
The Keynote Jazz Collection Vol. 6, 1945
01 – Barney Bigard Quintet: Rose Room
02 – Barney Bigard Quintet: Bojangles
03 – Barney Bigard Quintet: Coquette
04 – Barney Bigard Quintet: Borobudor
05 – Horace Henderson Orchestra: ‘Deed I Do
06 – Horace Henderson Orchestra: Make Love To Me
07 – Horace Henderson Orchestra: Bunch Of Rhythm
08 – Horace Henderson Orchestra: Smack’s Blues
09 – Bill Harris and His Septet: Cross Country
10 – Bill Harris and His Septet: Characteristically B.H.
11 – Bill Harris and His Septet: Mean To Me
12 – Bill Harris and His Septet: She’s Funny That Way
13 – Willie Smith and His Orchestra: September In The Rain
14 – Willie Smith and His Orchestra: You Ought To Be In Pictures
15 – Willie Smith and His Orchestra: Moten Swing
16 – Willie Smith and His Orchestra: Willie Weep For Me
17 – Corky Corcoran and His Orchestra featuring Emmett Berry: What Is This Thing Called Love?
18 – Corky Corcoran and His Orchestra featuring Emmett Berry: Minor Blues
19 – Corky Corcoran and His Orchestra featuring Emmett Berry: You Know It
20 – Corky Corcoran and His Orchestra featuring Emmett Berry: Lullaby Of The Leaves
21 – Milton Hinton and His Orchestra: Broadway Holdover
22 – Milton Hinton and His Orchestra: Brass Pandemonioum
23 – Milton Hinton and His Orchestra: Everywhere
24 – Milton Hinton and His Orchestra: Beefsteak Charlie
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