In 1939, German immigrant Alfred Lion with a long-running love affair with jazz began producing records in New York City and called his new record label Blue Note. 75 years later Blue Note has gone through the hands of many owners, been run by some of the most talented record-men and is still in business today. It’s catalog includes historic albums, from John Coltrane’s Blue Train, Art Blakey’s Moanin’ and Lee Morgan’s Sidewinder to classic recordings by Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey, and Herbie Hancock, to current jazz hits by Jason Moran, Robert Glasper, Joe Lovano, Norah Jones, Gregory Porter, Jose James, and many others. Blue Note is the most recognized brand in jazz today and it’s unique and unlikely story has many chapters. This panel brings together some of its current stars (Takuya Karoda) with its legendary veterans (Dr. Lonnie Smith), as we revisit the music and look at the albums that have become part of the Blue Note legend, and consider how the label will serve as a home for future jazz recordings as well.
