Take 75: Great Solos in Blue Note Records History
Blue Note Records has been many things over the course of its 75 years: a label responsible for blinding jazz innovations, a home for the titans of hard bop and soul jazz, a place for smart, sly, jazz-inflected pop creations.
One constant running throughout its history is improvisation. Its records have showcased jazz soloing in every possible mood and temperament. Its artists, both the jazz legends and those journeymen who are little regarded today, have helped shape the ever-evolving notion of what a solo is and what it can be.
To honor the label, we’ve combed the vaults to select 75 singular solos, some sprawling over multiple heroic choruses, some lasting just a crisp few measures. The idea was not to showcase the label’s “greatest hits” — that would be impossible — but rather works that offer meaningful insights into the art of improvisation and the company’s deep history. Enjoy.
More: Take 75: Great Solos in Blue Note Records History : A Blog Supreme : NPR