Blue Note Records: A Singular Business Model

Founded in the late 1930s by two German immigrants who loved "hot jazz" and swing music, Blue Note grew into an iconic record label that produced some of the most celebrated recordings in jazz history. This paper looks at the history of the label with attention paid to its business model, business practices, and continuing legacy. The author concludes with speculation as to whether the Blue Note business model is relevant in the modern era. Keywords: Blue Note Records, jazz recording, jazz record label, hard bop, Don Was, Bruce Lundvall, Alfred Lion, Francis Wolff, Art Blakey, Thelonius Monk, Rudy Van Gelder, Norah Jones, Reid Miles