Signature Records was a jazz record company and label founded in 1939 by
Bob Thiele when he was 17 years old. Its roster included
Coleman Hawkins,
Earl Hines
Earl Kenneth Hines, also known as Earl "Fatha" Hines (December 28, 1903 – April 22, 1983), was an American jazz pianist and bandleader. He was one of the most influential figures in the development of jazz piano and, according to one source, " ...
,
Erroll Garner, and
Lester Young.
At age 14, Thiele was a disc jockey for his own jazz radio show, edited his own jazz magazine, and played clarinet with bands in New York City. He started Signature at age 17. Thiele was head producer and president of the label.
Its musical director was orchestra leader
Ray Bloch
Raymond Arthur Bloch (August 3, 1902 – March 29, 1982)
Career
During the 1920s, he performed with small groups on piano and also conducted ballroom bands. Later in the decade he began appearing as a pianist on radio stations. He began working as ...
.
Some sources recite that Signature closed in 1948.
However, other sources indicate that the label continued to release records into the 50s, but that by the late 50s it was moribund.
Having freelanced and produced for
Decca Records
Decca Records is a British record label established in 1929 by Edward Lewis (Decca), Edward Lewis. Its U.S. label was established in late 1934 by Lewis, Jack Kapp, American Decca's first president, and Milton Rackmil, who later became American ...
and its
Coral and
Brunswick labels,
and served as vice president for
A&R for
Dot Records, Thiele announced in May 1959 that he was reactivating the Signature label.
The venture appears to have been in partnership with Steve Allen, one of the co-owners of Hanover Records, who brought the label into the arrangement. The new company was known as Hanover-Signature Records.
Orchestra leader Milton DeLugg, who had worked with Thiele at Dot and Coral, was named musical director.
The company continued to release records on both labels. Thiele produced records for his then-wife, singer Teresa Brewer, as late as 1983. Hanover releases continued into 1961. Thiele reissued Signature recordings on his later
Flying Dutchman and
Doctor Jazz
"Doctor Jazz" is a popular tune and song written by Joe "King" Oliver in 1926.
Publisher Walter Melrose got his name on it as co-composer, as was often his practice. It enjoyed its initial popularity in the 1920s. It continues to be played by Dixi ...
record labels.
See also
*
List of record labels
References
External links
Signature Recordson the Internet Archive'
Great 78 Project
{{Authority control
American record labels
Jazz record labels