Black Jazz Records
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Black Jazz Records was a jazz record label founded in Oakland, California [1] during the early 1970's by jazz pianist Gene Russell[2].
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[edit] History
Russell founded the label as an alterative to traditional jazz invoking a more political and spiritual tone[3] often with funk overtones[4]. Black Jazz released various types of music including, funk, free jazz and soul jazz. According to a 1974 Billboard Magazine, one of the label's more successful artists, Doug Carn, sold more records than Dave Brubeck and Ramsey Lewis[5]. The label existed for six years during its first run and ended following the death of Russell[6].
[edit] Artists
Gene Russell - Piano
Rudolph Johnson - Saxophone
Calvin Keys - Guitar
Walter Bishop, Jr. - Piano
Chester Thompson - Organ
Henry Franklin - Bass
Doug Carn - Piano, Organ, Keyboards
Jean Carn - Vocalist
Kellee Paterson - Vocalist
The Awakening - Instrumental Group
