This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of Blue Note Records, one of the most important labels in jazz music. Founded in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis, the label is responsible for some of the most important jazz recordings in history, such as Coltrane's Blue train, the only record Coltrane made on Blue Note but considered one of his best.
Blue Note also had an unrivaled reputation for treating artists well, as well as giving them control of their work. The label also played an important role in recording a number of influential avant-garde and free jazz albums, such as Eric Dolphy's Out to lunch.
Blue Note is famous for their iconic album covers from the fifties and sixties by graphic designer Reid Miles. Featuring bold text and striking photography, Blue Note covers were as cool as the music inside. Some of my favorite covers include The sidewinder by Lee Morgan and Go! by Dexter Gordon.
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