Blowin' The Blues Away

The most famous of all jazz labels had it all! Five-star artists, original repertoires, ingenious associate artistic directors, exceptional sound recording, sublime album covers, a variety of genres (Bebop, Hard Bop, Soul Jazz, Modal Jazz, Free Jazz)… The label was launched in 1939 by Francis Wolff and Alfred Lion, two Germans who had fled the Nazi regime, and had everything going for it. Qobuz has picked 10 key albums from its ample catalogue. Some of them are celebrated classics. Others are underrated marvels. But all of them played a vital role in shaping Blue Note as a label.

When it comes to jazz singers, Billie, Ella, Sarah, and Nina may be firm favourites, but this vocal style is sprinkled with an array of exceptional singers ready to make their mark on this legendary genre. Can we still call it jazz? Or is it just that jazz as we know it is changing? Either way, it doesn’t make these vocalists any less incredible. So, without further ado, here are ten women who are making an impact on the world of jazz.

Considered as the greatest inventor in the history of jazz music, Rudy Van Gelder was an artisan that worked with the greatest musicians in the post-war period for Blue Note, Impulse!, Prestige, CTI and Savoy.