Independent jazz labels

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From Reuters, a brief exploration of the current independent jazz labels:

Jazz Riches on Offer from Independent Labels

By Dan Ouellette

NEW YORK (Billboard) - While major labels face economic challenges resulting in roster cuts, independents continue to pick up the slack.

Old-timer and youngling indies alike have been doing their share of heavy lifting -- introducing new talent as well as resurrecting out-of-print rarities. The following is a coast-to-coast sampling of recent indie riches:

Documenting the vital Chicago jazz scene, Delmark Records -- one of the oldest independents still owned by its founder, Bob Koestler -- released new albums by Fred Anderson, Malachi Thompson and Josh Abrams. The Chicago chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences recognized Koestler Nov. 6 with its Chicago Heroes Award at a gala ceremony that also honored tenor saxophonist Von Freeman.

Also in Chicago, A440 Records released new straight-up discs by Henry Johnson ("Organic" featuring Nancy Wilson and Alan Broadbent ("You and the Night and the Music").

Newcomers on the scene include Nardis Music and Preservation Hall Recordings. The former is a groove imprint launched by Liquid 8 Records in partnership with Ben Sidran, who will be delivering his new acid-jazz-influenced "Nick's Bump" CD in first-quarter 2004. The label liftoff begins this month with funky drummer Clyde Stubblefield's debut, "The Original."

Based in New Orleans, Preservation Hall swings open its doors Jan. 27 with three releases documenting the jazz bands of the famed Crescent City venue.

Archer Records in Memphis released local vocalist Kelley Hurt's debut of  soul/R&B-styled jazz, "Raindance," while New York's Half Note Records issued pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs' fine "Return to Form," recorded live at the city's Blue Note jazz club, and violinist Miri Ben-Ari's latest project, "The Temple of Beautiful."

Several indies continue to mine the vaults: Mosaic Records recently released the seven-CD collection "The Complete Verve Roy Eldridge Studio Sessions" (available solely through the label at mosaicrecords.com); Dreyfus Jazz dusted off two out-of-print Birdology titles, Jackie McLean's "The Jackie Mac Attack Live" and Jimmy Johnson's "I'm a Jockey"; and the Palo Alto Jazz catalog has been resurrected by Serious Records, which is remastering discs from the mid-'70s through the mid-'80s by such artists as Denny Zeitlen, Pepper Adams, McCoy Tyner, John Scofield and Elvin Jones.

And Fresh Sound New Talent celebrates its 10th anniversary of recording emerging artists Dec. 17 by showcasing an all-star group including pianist Xavier Davis, trumpeter David Weiss and saxophonist Myron Walden at the Jazz Standard.