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. 3, 1944
01 – Coleman Hawkins’ All American Four: Make Believe
02 – Coleman Hawkins’ All American Four: Don’t Blame Me
03 – Coleman Hawkins’ All American Four: Just One Of Those Things
04 – Coleman Hawkins’ All American Four: Hallelujah
05 – Benny Morton’s Trombone Choir: Where Or When
06 – Benny Morton’s Trombone Choir: Liza
07 – Benny Morton’s Trombone Choir: Once In A While
08 – Benny Morton’s Trombone Choir: Sliphorn Outing
09 – Rex Stewart’s Big Eight: The Little Goose
10 – Rex Stewart’s Big Eight: I’m True To You
11 – Rex Stewart’s Big Eight: Zaza
12 – Rex Stewart’s Big Eight: Swamp Mist
13 – The Keynoters: You’re Driving Me Crazy
14 – The Keynoters: I’m In The Market For You
15 – The Keynoters: Blue Lou
16 – The Keynoters: I Found A New Baby
http://tinyurl.com/jhp9q6d
Visits: 3
Publication author
