HIGHNOTE LABEL

In one form or another our labels have been around since 1973 — eons in the jazz record business — Today our philosophy remains the same: engage only the finest jazz artists and let them play the music that best expresses their creativity.


In the nine-plus years since the HighNote, Savant jazz labels and Fedora – blues, were formed we have established ourselves as a leader in the independent jazz and blues scene, worldwide. As the final echoes of our predecessor company, Muse Records, fades our music continues, ever dynamic and evolving in the hands of our artists who are some of the very best in the world.

For HighNote, music is a living, evolving art form and it is our philosophy to allow our artists to express themselves and develop in whichever direction their talent dictates (straight-ahead, Latin jazz, avant garde, etc.). The artists that are on our roster are a rather outstanding collection of diverse and talented instrumentalists and singers, all well-known in their fields.

These masters are among the best on their instruments. Many are poll-winners. To name just some of this illustrious collection: Eric Alexander, David Newman, Houston Person, Frank Morgan, Vincent Herring, Don Braden, saxophones; Steve Turre, Wallace Roney, Russell Gunn, brass; Cedar Walton, John Hicks, Larry Willis, keyboards; Larry Coryell, Jimmy Ponder, Randy Johnston, guitar; Dave Valentin, flute; Sheila Jordan, Freddy Cole, Etta Jones, Mark Murphy, Gloria Lynne, Wesla Whitfield vocals. This only skims the top. Look further for the length and breadth of the catalog.

Sound quality is one of the next important ingredients in our product. A considerable portion of our product is recorded, mixed and mastered by world-famous Rudy Van Gelder (RVG). These CDs interest the jazz and audiophile markets.

We advertise consistently in the major jazz periodicals. HighNote ads are seen in DownBeat, JazzTimes, Jazziz, Soul Bag, JazzThek, Jazz Journal and other magazines worldwide. Our philosophy is that this advertising strategy helps establish an identity in the marketplace. The artist receives reviews in these jazz publications and their consistent worldwide touring brings the music to their fans. It would be safe to say that, on any given night, there is a HighNote artist performing somewhere in a major jazz venue.

We receive radio airplay in the U.S. that is second to none. Our product is listener friendly. On the JazzWeek National Radio Weekly Chart we are continually in the top ten. The list is made up of actual spins electrically monitoring approximately 100 radio stations across the US playing jazz by Mediaguide.

HighNote has as a part of its catalog some of the finest archival performances from the jazz greats of the past. The double Grammy-winning Art Tatum "God Is In the House", Thelonious Monk's very first recordings with Hot Lips Page and Don Byas and Dinah Washington with Arnett Cobb's band. HighNote has released material which has never seen the light of commercial release including Mary Lou Williams caught live on her birthday at the Keystone Korner, and the trumpet great Woody Shaw, recorded live on four amazing discs, and the legendary Chet Baker, also from the Keystone Korner.

We produce a very successful midline with outstanding music and packaging. There is an additional quality and that is they are manufactured so they can be played on both SACD and CD players (Stereo Hybrid SA-CD). A definitive Rolls Royce quality for a midline price.

We are a jazz label of uncompromisingly high quality, one that maintains a positive visible profile with press, reviewers, radio and audiences alike. Take a moment and familiarize yourself with HighNote Records.