Delmark Records
Delmark Records is an American jazz and blues independent record label. The label originated in 1953 in St. Louis, Missouri, as Delmar, when owner, and founder, Bob Koester released a recording of the Windy City Six, a traditional jazz group, under the Delmar imprint. Koester and the label moved to Chicago, Illinois, in 1958, and the label's name became Delmark. Koester sold the label assets in 2018, and the label since operates as '''Delmark Records LLC.'''
History
Born in 1932 in Wichita, Kansas, Bob Koester was the son of a petroleum engineer. While in the hospital with polio when he was a child, he listened to the radio and was cheered up when he heard Eddie Condon and Benny Goodman. In his teens, he was a dedicated jazz fan who began buying old records from a Salvation Army store. At concerts in Kansas City, he heard Red Allen, Count Basie, Jimmy Rushing, Tommy Douglas, Lionel Hampton, and Jay McShann.Moving from Wichita to St. Louis to attend college, Koester began his career as a record trader in his dormitory room. Joining a local jazz club gave Koester his first taste of live jazz, seeing Clark Terry perform. Koester made acquaintance with a fellow jazz club member, Ron Fister, with whom he opened his first record shop, K & F Sales. Shortly after opening in an old restaurant storefront, they changed the name to the Blue Note Record Shop. About a year after this joint venture, Fister and Koester decided to part ways, with Koester moving to the corner of Delmar and Olive streets in St. Louis. Taking the name from the street his shop was on, Koester recorded a local jazz group the Windy City Six in 1953. Shortly thereafter, Koester found local talent such as James Crutchfield, Speckled Red, J.D. Short, and Big Joe Williams.
Koester moved to Chicago in August 1958. He bought Seymour's Jazz Mart, and in renaming the storefront the Jazz Record Mart, Delmark Records found its new home in the basement of the record shop. By 1963, Koester had moved the shop to a location at 7 West Grand. During this period in Chicago, Delmark released albums by, Barney Bigard, Donald Byrd, Jimmy Forrest, George Lewis, Bud Powell, and Ira Sullivan.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Delmark recorded the Art Ensemble of Chicago, Sonny Stitt, Junior Wells, Luther Allison, Arthur Crudup, Jimmy Dawkins, Sleepy John Estes, Buddy Guy, J. B. Hutto, Jimmy Johnson, Magic Sam, Robert Nighthawk, Yank Rachell, Otis Rush, Roosevelt Sykes, and Malachi Thompson.
In 1966, Chuck Nessa, manager of the Jazz Record Mart, convinced Koester to release albums by musicians associated with the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians. The first record was Roscoe Mitchell's Sound which received a five star review in Downbeat. This was followed by Muhal Richard Abrams' Levels and Degrees of Light, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre's Humility in the Light of the Creator and Anthony Braxton's For Alto. Delmark released two of the earliest Sun Ra albums, Sun Song and Sound of Joy, in 1967 and 1968 respectively.
Delmark has also released albums by Fred Anderson, Frank Catalano, Rob Mazurek, Nicole Mitchell, Ken Vandermark, Roy Campbell, Jr., and Ethnic Heritage Ensemble; and blues musicians including Zora Young, Ken Saydak, Byther Smith, Michael Coleman, Little Arthur Duncan, Eddie C. Campbell, Jimmy Burns, and ragtime musicians including Terry Waldo.
In March 2010, Delmark announced the release of the album Revisit by the Polish duo Mikrokolektyw. This album was Delmark's first by a European avant-garde jazz group in its 57-year history. In 2012, Delmark released two Chicago blues albums by Linsey Alexander and Mike Wheeler.
In May 2018, Koester retired and sold Delmark Records to Delmark Records LLC, of which Julia A. Miller is the Managing Member. Julia A. Miller became the label President & CEO and Elbio Barilari became the Vice President & Artistic Director. They are two musicians from Chicago and Uruguay, respectively. The sale included Delmark's subsidiary labels, CD and LP inventory, the catalog of masters, and Riverside Studio.
Discography
Jazz
Delmark Records began releasing 12 inch LP jazz albums sporadically from 1959 commencing with the 400 series and continuing with the 500 series in 1998.| Catalog No. | Album | Artist | Details |
| 401 | The Bob Graf Sessions | also released as At Winchester | |
| 402 | Blue Stroll | ||
| 403 | The John Young Trio | also released as Serenata | |
| 404 | All the Gin Is Gone | recorded 1959 | |
| 406 | Bouncing with Bud | ||
| 407 | Yusef! | reissue of 1956 Transisition LP also released as First Flight by Donald Byrd | |
| 408 | Sound | ||
| 409 | Archie Shepp in Europe | with the New York Contemporary Five | partial reissue of 1964 Sonet double LP |
| 410 | Song For | ||
| 411 | Sun Song | Sun Ra | reissue of 1957 Transition LP |
| 413 | Levels and Degrees of Light | ||
| 414 | Sound of Joy | Sun Ra | |
| 415 | Three Compositions of New Jazz | ||
| 416 | I Remember Newport | ||
| 417 | As If It Were the Seasons | ||
| 418 | Celebration for Modern Man | ||
| 419 | Humility in the Light of the Creator | ||
| 420/21 | For Alto | Double LP | |
| 422 | Nicky's Tune | ||
| 423 | Young at Heart/Wise in Time | ||
| 424 | Birth Sign | ||
| 425 | Forces and Feelings | ||
| 426 | Made for Each Other | and Don Patterson | |
| 427 | Black Forrest | recorded 1959 | |
| 428 | Together Alone | and Anthony Braxton | |
| 429 | Because of You | ||
| 430 | Things to Come from Those Now Gone | ||
| 431 | Bad Bascomb | ||
| 432/33 | Live at Mandel Hall | Art Ensemble of Chicago | Double LP |
| 434 | Somebody Done Stole My Blues | ||
| 435 | Night Train | ||
| 436 | Reality | ||
| 437 | Modus Operandi | ||
| 438 | Honkers And Bar Walkers 1 | Various Artists | |
| 439 | Big Band Jazz: Tulsa to Harlem | Various Artists | |
| 440 | Shock of the New | ||
| 441 | Last Trio Session | ||
| 442 | Spirit | ||
| 443 | After Hours Joint | ||
| 444 | Unit 7 | ||
| 445 | Upward Spiral | ||
| 446 | Tough Town | ||
| 447 | Jump Time | ||
| 448 | On a Cool Night | ||
| 449 | Delayed Exposure | ||
| 450 | Takin' Off | ||
| 451 | Mellow Mama | compilation of 1947 Apollo recordings | |
| 452 | Honkers and Bar Walkers 2 | Various Artists | |
| 453 | The Jaz Life | ||
| 454 | Experience | ||
| 455 | Ace High | ||
| 456 | New Kingdom | ||
| 457 | Nutville | ||
| 458 | East of the Sun | ||
| 459 | Rainbow Mist | compilation of 1944 Apollo recordings | |
| 460 | Call of the Gators | compilation of 1949-50 Apollo recordings | |
| 461 | Straight Up | ||
| 462 | The Traveler | ||
| 463 | Lift Every Voice | ||
| 464 | Brass Knuckles | ||
| 465 | Swingtet Live at Andy's | ||
| 466 | Renaissance of the Resistance | Ritual Trio | |
| 467 | Rain or Shine | ||
| 468 | Where or When | ||
| 469 | La Tierra del Fuego | ||
| 470 | And the Duke's Men | compilation of 1944/47 Apollo recordings | |
| 471 | Arnett Blows for 1300 | compilation of 1947 Apollo recordings | |
| 472 | How D'You Like It So Far? | ||
| 473 | New Standards | ||
| 474 | Haint | ||
| 475 | Hey Donald | ||
| 476 | Up, Over & Out | ||
| 477 | Big Cliff | Ritual Trio with special guest Billy Bang | |
| 478 | Cerupa | ||
| 479 | Portrait in the Mist | ||
| 480 | Sinatra Song Book | ||
| 481 | Buddy Bolden's Rag | and Africa Brass featuring Lester Bowie | |
| 482 | Horns Aplenty | ||
| 483 | Skylark | and Johnny Varro | |
| 484 | That's for Sure! | ||
| 485 | This Is My House | NRG Ensemble | |
| 486 | Ultimate Frontier | ||
| 487 | Safe to Imagine | ||
| 488 | Stablemates | and Lin Halliday | |
| 489 | Just Found Joy | Quartet plus Two | |
| 490 | Front Line | ||
| 491 | Warrior | ||
| 492 | Deemus | ||
| 493 | Sound Songs | ||
| 494 | Scotch and Milk | ||
| 495 | Motherless Child | ||
| 496 | The Continuum | Ethnic Heritage Ensemble | |
| 497 | 47th Street | ||
| 498 | Soul Fountain | ||
| 499 | Top and Bottom | ||
| 500 | Mode for Mabes | ||
| 501 | Cut It Out | ||
| 502 | Smiles | ||
| 503 | Playground | Chicago Underground Orchestra | |
| 504 | Venus | ||
| 505 | Groovin' Hard | Big Band | |
| 506 | Freebop Now! | ||
| 507 | Return of the Lost Tribe | Bright Moments | collaborative project by Joseph Jarman, Kalaparusha Maurice McIntyre, Kahil El'Zabar, Malachi Favors and Adegoke Steve Colson |
| 508 | Von & Ed | and Ed Petersen | |
| 509 | Payne's Window | ||
| 510 | In Walked Buckner | Quartet | |
| 511 | Possible Cube | Chicago Underground Trio | |
| 512 | The Song Bird | ||
| 513 | Heretic Blues | 's Quality Six | |
| 514 | Conversations | and Kahil El'Zabar's Ritual Trio | |
| 515 | Love You Madly | ||
| 516 | Design in Time | 's Sound in Action Trio | |
| 517 | Freedom Jazz Dance | Ethnic Heritage Ensemble | |
| 518 | Rising Daystar | ||
| 519 | Africa N'Da Blues | Ritual Trio | |
| 521 | Flamethrower | Chicago Underground Trio | |
| 522 | Control Freak | 's Quality Six | |
| 523 | Airegin | ||
| 524 | Jo'burg Jump | ' New Horizons Ensemble | |
| 525 | You Talkin' to Me?! | and Frank Catalano | |
| 526 | Robbins' Nest: Live at the Jazz Showcase | ||
| 528 | Ethnic Stew and Brew | ||
| 529 | Chic Boom: Live at the Jazz Showcase | ||
| 530 | Modern Man | ||
| 531 | Reminiscing | Trio | |
| 532 | Talking Horns | ||
| 533 | Spirits Entering | and Billy Bang | |
| 534 | On the Run, Live at the Velvet Lounge | ||
| 535 | At the Party | recorded 1970 | |
| 536 | Live at the Green Mill | ||
| 537 | I've Got Rhythm: Live at the Jazz Showcase | ||
| 538 | Jumpin' at Apollo | compilation of tracks recorded for Apollo between 1945 and 1948 | |
| 539 | Mister Lucky | and Othello Anderson | |
| 540 | Silver Spines | ||
| 541 | Love Outside of Dreams | Trio | |
| 542 | Honkers & Bar Walkers Volume Three | Various Artists | |
| 543 | Like-Coping | ||
| 544 | Four Compositions 2000 | ||
| 545 | Cape Town Shuffle | ' New Horizons Ensemble | |
| 546 | Cipher | ||
| 547 | Titration | Active Ingredients | |
| 548 | Blue Jazz | and Africa Brass with Gary Bartz and Billy Harper | |
| 549 | Back at the Velvet Lounge | ||
| 550 | Up Jumped Spring | ||
| 551 | Breeding Resistance | 's Rebel Souls | |
| 552 | Tribute to Hamp | and the Chuck Hedges Swingtet | |
| 553 | Morning Song | Kalaparush and the Light | |
| 554 | Yes Indeed! Women Vocalists on United | Various Artists | |
| 555 | Crazy Walk | recorded for United Records in the 1950s | |
| 556 | Deep Blue Bruise | Deep Blue Organ Trio | |
| 557 | We Is | and David Murray | |
| 558 | Song Songs Song | and Scott Fields | |
| 559 | Mean Ameen | ' New Horizons Ensemble | |
| 560 | More Questions Than Answers | ||
| 561 | Several Lights | Chicago Luzern Exchange | |
| 562 | Running Out of Time | SavoirFaire | |
| 563 | It's Magic | ||
| 564 | High Voltage | Common Ground | |
| 565 | Blues for Hawk | recorded between 1981 and 1986 and originally released on the Pinnacle label | |
| 566 | Live at the River East Art Center | Ritual Trio with Billy Bang | |
| 567 | Hypnotic Suggestion | ||
| 568 | Timeless, Live at the Velvet Lounge | ||
| 569 | Goin' to Town: Live at the Green Mill | Deep Blue Organ Trio | |
| 570 | The Messenger | ' New Horizons Ensemble | |
| 571 | Ready Everyday | 's Fast Citizens | |
| 572 | Big M: A Tribute to Malachi Favors | Ritual Trio featuring Billy Bang | |
| 573 | Chronicle | Chicago Underground Trio | |
| 574 | Hot 'n' Heavy | Ethnic Heritage Ensemble | |
| 575 | Black Unstoppable | 's Black Earth Ensemble | |
| 576 | Transmigration | 's Infinity Orchestra | |
| 577 | Live at the Green Mill | ||
| 578 | Nature Boy | ||
| 579 | Doctor Midnight | Sabertooth | |
| 580 | Just Like This | 's Project Project | |
| 581 | The Art of Dying | ||
| 582 | Drop It | ||
| 583 | Tickle Toe | and Sandy Mosse | Recorded in Chicago in October 1981 |
| 584 | West of State Street / East of Harlem' | Swing Orchestra | |
| 585 | Go Red Go! | ||
| 586 | Sound Is | Quintet | |
| 587 | Renegades | 's Black Earth Strings | |
| 588 | Old Idea | ||
| 589 | 21st Century Chase | ||
| 590 | Two Cities | 's Fast Citizens | |
| 591 | Revisit | Mikrokolektyw | |
| 592 | Get Happy | Trio | |
| 593 | Tight Like This | ||
| 595 | Stars Have Shapes | Exploding Star Orchestra | |
| 596 | Down for Double | Orchestra with special guest Buddy DeFranco | |
| 597 | Dew Point | Mikrokolektyw | |
| 598 | The Prairie Prophet | ' New Horizons Ensemble | |
| 599 | Awakening |