Music lovers have been attracted to the distinct style and sleek sound of jazz since its birth at the turn of the century. The album covers collected in this comprehensive volume under the well-known Blue Note record label embody classic design and pioneering typography. Two hundred color photographs of the album sleeves, an informative history of the Blue Note record company, and a portrait of Reid Miles, who designed nearly 500 album covers, capture the integrity of this distinctive record label. Sophisticated jazz connoisseurs and young listeners alike, as well as those with an interest in style and graphic design, will enjoy this exciting book of jazz memorabilia.

The official illustrated history of Blue Note, the most influential and important brand in jazz. Tracing the evolution of jazz from the boogie-woogie and swing of the 1930s, through bebop, funk, and fusion, to the eclectic mix Blue Note releases today, this landmark publication tells the story of an influential jazz institution and commemorates Blue Note’s momentous contribution to modern music and style. Practically all of the jazz greats passed through Blue Note’s doors, including Miles Davis, Sidney Bechet, Art Blakey, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Ornette Coleman, Donald Byrd, and Jimmy Smith. Blue Note is not only known as the purveyor of extraordinary jazz but is also famous as an arbiter of cool. The photography of cofounder Francis Wolff and the cover designs of Reid Miles helped create a look that was an integral part of the label’s genius. A highly illustrated volume, Blue Note features the very best photographs, covers, and ephemera from the archives, including never-before-published material, and and documents a groundbreaking era in American culture.

Insightful scenes abound in the first full history of the most noted label in jazz history. With record-collector zeal, Cook analyzes everything from Sidney Bechet's 78s to Norah Jones' recent chart-topper.

Provides a complete discography of all recordings made or issued on the Blue Note label from 1939 through 1999.

The Blue Note Years presents for the first time many of Francis Wolff's previously unpublished photographs, capturing such jazz legends as John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Miles Davis, Donald Byrd, Clifford Brown, and Ornette Coleman, among others. 195 duotone photos.

Along with Blue Note records, the Prestige, Atlantic, Contemporary and Pacific and Riverside Labels were the chief providers of America’s East and West Coast sounds on vinyl. The hard-edged, straight ahead playing of New York’s jazz musicians was perfectly reflected in the moody, monochromatic photography, quirky graphics and bold typography of the record covers: the look, like the sound, was intelligent, disciplined and sophisticated. On the West, the bright colours and playful themes expressed the funky sounds of the US's cool, california cool. For the first time ever, Coast to Coast Album Covers brings the two together under one very cool roof.

Features broad selection of jazz record covers from 1940s through the decline of LP production in the early 1990s - fact sheet listing name, art director, photographer, illustrator, year, label and more.