Reid miles, was twentyeight years old when he began working on the designs for blue notes long playing records. In the latest episode of voxs earworm video series, producer estelle caswell takes a look at the classic record covers of the jazz label blue. Blue note, blue note records, jazztimes magazine, jazztimes, downbeat magazine. Sep 06, 2010 it may not be the most in depth book on blue note, but its still an enjoyable read as well as drinking in the incredible art. Reid miles for blue note blue jazz series retroavangarda. Aug 15, 2018 reid miles 19271993 reid miles is an ingenious graphic designer who worked in the 50s and 60s for blue note record company and created there over 500 album designs, which today are splendid examples for subsequent generations of graphic designers. Founded as a small independent label, blue note has gone on to become the premiere jazz label in the world, and also the longest running. The cover art of blue note records is graham marsh and glyn callinghams classic collection of the unparalleled record sleeves produced by the celebrated blue note record label. Upon the celebration of international jazz day we take a trip down the memory lane with the acclaimed typographic revolution of reid miles for blue note records. Reid miles legendary blue note designer the red counts. To millions of jazz fans around the world, blue note is more than a business, more than a back catalogue of extraordinary music, even more than an exciting sound and a distinctive look. Bert reid, from the group the crown heights affair, has passed away on the 12th of december 2004. A collectors perspective last updated may 24, 2019 the history of blue note records from a record collectors perspective, supplemented with commentary regarding audio quality, a topic on which wiki editors and music journalists alike appear entirely oblivious. His main task was to adapt their existing catalog to the new format as well as produce designs for the new releases.
This image wmoblh59 presented here in full became an ideal cover image for designer reid miles, once he did his typical, artful cropping. Around january 1956 the photographer francis wolff and alfred lion of blue note records met reid miles, a commercial artists and a devout classical music. Blue note debuts, blue grooves, great reid miles covers, blue note live, and blue note drummer. Originally dedicated to recording traditional jazz and small group swing, the label switched its attention to modern jazz around 1947. Reid miles cover art and graphics was replaced by other photos and designs of lesser quality. See more ideas about jazz, album cover art, blue note jazz. Reid miles july 4, 1927 february 2, 1993 was an american graphic designer and photographer best known for his work for blue note records in the 1950s and 1960s. I just love the work of designer reid miles and the photos of francis wolff. See more ideas about blue note jazz, album cover art, album cover design. In the book the cover art of blue note records felix cromey wrote miles made the cover sound like it knew what it lay in store for the listener. In 2008, the blue note 7, a jazz septet, was formed in honor of the 70th anniversary of blue note records. Beginning with blue note s ninth 12inch album, reid miles became the designer for the label for the next eleven years. Recorded on january 5, 1958 at the van gelder studio, hackensack, new jersey. The artwork of the legendary blue note jazz record label has come to.
This book contains over 400 blue note album covers from the late 40s through the early 70s. Now a division of capitol records, blue note was a pioneer in jazzs golden age, serving as a breeding ground for legends such as sidney bechet, art blakey and the jazz messengers, kenny burrell, miles davis, thelonious monk, bud powell, sonny rollins and horace silver. The album cover art of blue note records art blakey. In n out lp blue note 80 vinyl edition blue note records. The lines on the second version of the image are reid s original crop marks. The art of legendary jazz label blue note records udiscover. Blue note records has aimed to uphold that distinction over the nearly 70 years since its first recording session. From wikipedia, the free encyclopedia reid miles july 4, 1927 february 2, 1993 was an american graphic designer and photographer best known for his work for blue note records in the 1950s and 1960s. Mar 12, 2019 march 12, 2019 in honor of blue note records 80 th anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the blue note 80 vinyl reissue series. The second part of the project was to design a 60th anniversary box set for seven twodisc sets and a 48page picture book. Jun 08, 2010 the blue note masterpieces of reid miles this modern house a fairly comprehensive collection of the blue note 4000 series, where miles really spread his wings and did some of his best work. Overall a beautiful book of jazz photos and it certainly goes well with the two oversize books by graham marsh of blue note lp cover designs where designer reid miles does wonders with francis wolffs camera creativity.
Reid miles honed the blue note look utilizing francis wolffs black and white photos and continuing in a bauhaus. Miles artistry made blue note recordings a case study for stunning record sleeves design. Reid miles worked for blue note records for almost his entire career, and they gave him pretty much free reign on the design of their album covers. Alfred lion, a german jew with a love of jazz flees germany and settles in the states. Album cover art gathers nearly 400 of the legendary covers, spanning the 40s to the 70s, and features the greatest work of legendary blue note art director reid miles.
This hubpage is a fantastic photo log that explores three decades of album cover art and design of the modern jazz label blue note records. In 1958 blue note records changed the catalog numbering on their albums from 1500 series to 4000 series, beginning with 4001 which was sonny rollins. Lee morgan the cooker blue note records blp 1578 12 lp 1958 design by reid miles photo by francis wolff rudy van gelder studio, hackensack, nj, september 29, 1957 lee morgan tp pepper adams bars bobby timmons p paul chambers b philly joe jones d. He was working for esquire magazine when he did his debut for blue note, as co. See more ideas about album cover design, blue note jazz, album covers. In many ways it is a tribute to reid miles, quotes from him feature heavily with the text. Distinct from the tone poet audiophile vinyl reissue series, this 2nd series curated by don wasand cem kurosmanfeatures midpriced 180g vinyl releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the labels history presented by themes. Simple and sophisticated, moody and alluring, these covers continue to influence designers and excite jazz aficionados today. The cover art of blue note records is graham marsh and glyn callinghams classic collection of the unparalleled record sleeves produced by the celebrated blue note record label around january 1956 the photographer francis wolff and alfred lion of blue note records met reid miles, a commercial artists and a devout classical music fan. See more ideas about blue note jazz, album covers, album cover design. The seventyfive records which the book s editorial is based on go up to 2103 with a release from singer gregory porter.
It was in this period the reid miles was hired as art director. Blue note the collectors edition 25cd box set asiandb. The iconic blue and white center sticker on every piece of vinyl was changed to an all blue version. The group recorded an album in 2008, entitled mosaic, which was released in 2009 on blue note records emi, and toured the united states in promotion of the album from january until april 2009. This image for example has the background photograph as blue, linking this with the image. Reid miles was a classical music fan but his genius for design has done so much to establish the blue note legacy. Reid miles continues on as art director and created masterpiece album covers for the label until 1967. This great book was published for blue note s seventyfifth anniversary, this landmark book is the first official illustrated story of the label, from 1939s humbled roots to its renaissance today. Jan 16, 2019 for the first time ever, blue note is offering archivalquality, framed canvas prints in dynamic scale 22x22, 32x32, 42x42 that present the legendary album cover designs of reid miles and photography of francis wolff. Blue note records is an american jazz record label owned by universal music group and operated under capitol music group. Apr 14, 2017 this hubpage is a fantastic photo log that explores three decades of album cover art and design of the modern jazz label blue note records. This blue note 80 vinyl edition is allanalog, mastered by kevin gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on180g vinyl at optimal.
Album cover artby graham marsh where designer reid miles does wonders with francis wolffs camera creativity. It will probably appeal to people who know the story of blue note but for those who dont. He relied on alfred lion and francis wolff to describe the mood and intent of each album and then created wonderful graphic covers that. Reid miles was an american modernist designer, a genius of his time, best known for his work for blue note records through the 1950s and 60s.
For an inside look click customer images under the cover. The brilliant album cover design by reid miles is a quintessential example of the bold typography that made his style so influential. I have recently looked at the book the cover art of blue note records that has lots of inspiring pages of album layouts that he was going to produce. This article is a tribute to miles, whos work continues to inspire me and many others. Mosaic images owns the francis wolff collection of blue note session photography. Alfred lion, rudy van gelder, reid miles and francis wolff were blue note to me in the midfifties to the midsixties when i was buying their records now bought all over again with michael cuscuna cd reissues. In 1955, blue note records made the move to start issuing records in the 12 inch long play format. How reid miles created the blue note look the casual optimist. Reid miles an american graphic designer, reid miles was the cover designer of the blue note records book. In honor of blue note records 80th anniversary, the legendary jazz label is launching the blue note 80 vinyl reissue series. The biography chronicles the life of the most famous and influential jazz label of them all. Through 12 glorious years, american designer reid miles created over 500 lp covers for the jazz label blue note records. Celebrating 75 years of the jazz label, blue note, it is packed with fine photographs and intelligent text. Lions retirement as a record producer in 1967 coincided with the end of miles connection with blue note.
Around january 1956 the photographer francis wolff and alfred lion of blue note records met reid miles, a commercial artists and a devout classical music fan. Related posted in design and art, music and such and tagged andy warhol, blue note records, jazz, reid miles on january 22, 2010 by wade johnston. See more ideas about blue note jazz, album cover design, album cover art. While blue note s cofounder francis wolff provided the photographs of the labels musicians, it was reid miles, who joined the company in 1955, who came up with the eyegrabbing designs that. It is miles davis, thelonious monk, bud powell, sonny rollins, horace silver, kenny burrell, and the ubiquitous art blakeys jazz messengers all making their most significant early recordings under the auspices of the blue note genius. Blue note remains one of the most influential jazz labels of all time, and its cover art is a virtual timecapsule of cool. Overall a beautiful book of jazz photos and it certainly goes well with asin. Two hundred color photographs of the album sleeves, an informative history of the blue note record comp. I just love the work of designer reid miles and the photos of francis wolff this article here is really good and it is particularly interesting to see some of the unedited photographs by francis wolff and how reid miles incorporated them into his designs. As photographer and graphic designer, reid miles was responsible for the bulk of the blue note covers in the 50 s and 60 s, when he had to look for a way to capture the.
The graphic design work is iconic, with the sweet spot being reid miles s tenure as chief graphic designer from 1956 to the mid 60s. It is miles davis, thelonious monk, bud powell, sonny rollins, horace silver. Around january of 1956, francis wolff met reid miles, a commercial artist who was a devout classical music fan. Blue note records is arguably the single most recognizable record label in the history of recorded music. Jun 20, 1991 the album covers collected in this comprehensive volume under the wellknown blue note record label embody classic design and pioneering typography. Blue note is not only known as the purveyor of extraordinary jazz but is also famous as an arbiter of cool. Oct 01, 2002 large selection of album covers from blue note though the book is fairly small, the images are generally cd sized or less but it is still a pretty decent quality record cover book. Beyond the notes is a loving and fascinating tribute to a jazz label that towered above the rest. Mosaic images francis wolff blue note photography, stamford, connecticut. Reid miles was born in chicago, illinois, on july 4, 1927 but, following the. This is a classic book, every kazz fan should have a copy to flick through while a blue note spins on the record player. Established in 1939 by alfred lion and max margulis, it derived its name from the blue notes of jazz and the blues. Together with a fellow german immigrant, photographer francis wolff, recording engineer rudy van gelder and graphic designer reid miles, blue note records would go one to not only build one of the greatest catalogues of recorded music in jazz history but also shape the sound of jazz for generations. A beautifully produced book showcasing the creative work of reid miles and.
Blue note, jazz and a socialsocietal role are inextricably linked. The photography of cofounder francis wolff and the cover designs of reid miles were integral to the labels success and this highly illustrated, landmark publication featuring the very best photographs, covers, and ephemera from the archives, including neverbeforepublished material commemorates blue note s momentous contribution to jazz. Established in 1939 by berlinborn alfred lion, blue note found its typographic voice in 1956, when chicagoborn reid miles decided to join this allamerican label. Mar 01, 2018 in 1955, blue note records made the move to start issuing records in the 12 inch long play format.
Two hundred color photographs of the album sleeves, an informative history of the blue note record comp music lovers have been attracted to the distinct style and sleek sound of jazz since its birth at the turn of the century. Distinct from the tone poet audiophile vinyl reissue series, this 2 nd series curated by don was and cem kurosman features midpriced 180g vinyl releases in standard packaging with albums spanning the many eras of the labels history presented by. The album covers collected in this comprehensive volume under the wellknown blue note record label embody classic design and pioneering typography. Reid miles was a classical music fan but his genius for design has done so much to. Reid miles was an american modernist designer, a genius of his time, best known for his work for blue note records through the 1950s and. Jun, 2019 blue note had a peerless coverart aesthetic, thanks to designer reid miles, and the film expertly plays on that legacy often lingering on one of wolffs atmospheric photographs, cropping a. Reid miles legendary blue note designer i dont know how many times ive been marveling over the covers of blue note records they never fail to fascinate me. There are 244 in all, which surely warrants a place in the guinness books of records and accentuates the. The red counts loving the blue note sounds of rudy van. Jan 25, 2012 reid miles, a navy veteran who attended chouinard art institute, was hired at jazz record label blue note in 1955. Another classic blue note cover design demonstrating reid miles love of exclamation marks. Jan 22, 2010 today blue note under the ownership of emi has reissued almost all of the classic reid miles designed lps on cd and as mp3 tracks widely available online.
All transfers from analog to digital were made at 24bit resolution. I have two copies of this great book, one i keep to look at and read and enjoy each moment of the blue note records of the fifties and sixties, the other one i. The photography of cofounder francis wolff and the cover designs of reid miles were integral to the labels success and this highly illustrated, landmark publication featuring the very best photographs, covers, and ephemera from the archives, including neverbeforepublished. Originally recorded and remastered in 1998 by rudy van gelder. During this period he designed almost 500 record covers for the label. Feb 28, 2019 reid miles legendary blue note designer i dont know how many times ive been marveling over the covers of blue note records they never fail to fascinate me. The biography chronicles the life of the most famous and influential jazz label of. The labels first brochure in may of 1939 carried a statement of purpose that lion rarely strayed from throughout the many styles and years during which he built one of the greatest jazz record companies in the world. I dont know how many times ive been marveling over the covers of blue note records they never fail to fascinate me. Blue note 80 vinyl reissue series label releases discogs. A good friend of his called stevie debe wrote to let me know. Blue note went downhill following the death of alfred lion, when the label was acquired by liberty records. Mosaic images francis wolff blue note photography 460. Reid miles, was twentyeight years old when he began working on the designs for blue note s long playing records.
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