Bethlehem Records
Encyclopedia
Bethlehem Records was a record label based in New York and Hollywood founded by Gus Wildi in 1953. It was bought by King Records
in the early 1960s.
The label is mainly remembered for its jazz
releases during the 1950s. Sessions were produced variously by Creed Taylor
and Teddy Charles
, among others. Bethlehem released the first albums recorded by singers Chris Connor
(the dual releases Chris Connor Sings Lullabys for Lovers and Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland) in 1954, Nina Simone
(Little Girl Blue
) in 1958 and singer/actress Julie London
. London did not record a full album for the label: she recorded four songs that would later be released on the compilation LP Bethlehem's Girlfriends in 1955, which also featured Chris Connor
and Carmen McRae
. Marilyn Moore
also recorded her debut album for Bethlehem. Bethlehem recorded many modern jazz musicians including Howard McGhee
, Herbie Nichols
and Oscar Pettiford
.
The Bethlehem label was purchased by the Cayre brothers (owners of Salsoul Records
), who initially intended to release its back catalog for inexpensive 8-track tapes in the 1970s. Salsoul and Bethlehem fall under the same corporate umbrella, with Bethlehem as the primary distributor for North America
. Bethlehem Records was acuqired by the Verse Music Group in 2010.
King Records (USA)
King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...
in the early 1960s.
The label is mainly remembered for its jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
releases during the 1950s. Sessions were produced variously by Creed Taylor
Creed Taylor
Creed Taylor is an American record producer, best known for his work with CTI Records, which he founded in 1968. Taylor’s career also included work at Bethlehem Records, ABC-Paramount, Verve, and A&M Records...
and Teddy Charles
Teddy Charles
Teddy Charles is an American jazz pianist, drummer and vibraphone musician. Born Theodore Charles Cohen in Chicopee Falls, Massachusetts, he began his musical career studying at Juilliard School of Music as a percussionist...
, among others. Bethlehem released the first albums recorded by singers Chris Connor
Chris Connor
Chris Connor was an American jazz singer.-Biography:She was born as Mary Loutsenhizer in Kansas City, Missouri to Clyde and Mabel Loutsenhizer. She studied and became proficient on the clarinet, having studied for 8 years throughout junior high and high school...
(the dual releases Chris Connor Sings Lullabys for Lovers and Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland) in 1954, Nina Simone
Nina Simone
Eunice Kathleen Waymon , better known by her stage name Nina Simone , was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, and civil rights activist widely associated with jazz music...
(Little Girl Blue
Little Girl Blue (Nina Simone album)
Little Girl Blue is the debut album by Jazz singer/pianist/songwriter Nina Simone for Bethlehem Records. It was also released as Jazz As Played in an Exclusive Side Street Club. Nina was in her mid-20s at the time of this album, and still aspiring to be a classical concert pianist...
) in 1958 and singer/actress Julie London
Julie London
Julie London was an American singer and actress. She was best known for her smoky, sensual voice. London was at her singing career's peak in the 1950s. Her acting career lasted more than 35 years...
. London did not record a full album for the label: she recorded four songs that would later be released on the compilation LP Bethlehem's Girlfriends in 1955, which also featured Chris Connor
Chris Connor
Chris Connor was an American jazz singer.-Biography:She was born as Mary Loutsenhizer in Kansas City, Missouri to Clyde and Mabel Loutsenhizer. She studied and became proficient on the clarinet, having studied for 8 years throughout junior high and high school...
and Carmen McRae
Carmen McRae
Carmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...
. Marilyn Moore
Marilyn Moore
Marilyn Moore was an American jazz singer of the 1950s. Born in Oklahoma City, she is best known for her 1957 album Moody Marilyn Moore, released on Bethlehem Records. Her vocal style was almost an exact replica of Billie Holiday's, and according to jazz critic Will Friedwald, Holiday and Moore...
also recorded her debut album for Bethlehem. Bethlehem recorded many modern jazz musicians including Howard McGhee
Howard McGhee
Howard McGhee was one of the very first bebop jazz trumpeters, together with Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Idrees Sulieman. He was known for lightning-fast fingers and very high notes...
, Herbie Nichols
Herbie Nichols
Herbie Nichols , was an American jazz pianist and composer who wrote the jazz standard "Lady Sings the Blues". Obscure during his lifetime, he is now highly regarded by many musicians and critics.-Life:...
and Oscar Pettiford
Oscar Pettiford
Oscar Pettiford was an American jazz double bassist, cellist and composer known particularly for his pioneering work in bebop.-Biography:...
.
The Bethlehem label was purchased by the Cayre brothers (owners of Salsoul Records
Salsoul Records
This article is about the record label. For SalSoul the Puerto Rican Salsa radio station see Cadena Salsoul.Salsoul Records was a New York City based record label founded by brothers Joseph Cayre, Kenneth Cayre, and Stanley Cayre . Salsoul released about 300 disco 12-inch singles, and a string of...
), who initially intended to release its back catalog for inexpensive 8-track tapes in the 1970s. Salsoul and Bethlehem fall under the same corporate umbrella, with Bethlehem as the primary distributor for North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
. Bethlehem Records was acuqired by the Verse Music Group in 2010.