Bluebird Records - 'Buff' Bluebird and Beyond

'Buff' Bluebird and Beyond

In the 1930s, Bluebird recorded popular dance music,country, blues and jazz, as well as reissuing jazz, gospel and blues items previously released on Victor. Some notable orchestras came to Bluebird from the regular-priced Victor label: Ted Weems, Rudy Vallee, Bert Lown, and Joe Haymes. Another popular Bluebird artist in these early days was George Hall and his orchestra, who remained with the label until 1937.

Bluebird also recorded country artists such as The Monroe Brothers, The Delmore Brothers, Bradley Kincaid, and reissued many titles by Jimmie Rodgers and The Carter Family.

Many blues artists were brought to the label by talent scout and record producer Lester Melrose, who had a virtual monopoly on the Chicago blues market. The records were recorded cheaply and quickly, often using a regular pool of Chicago musicians including Big Bill Broonzy, Roosevelt Sykes, Tampa Red, Washboard Sam and Sonny Boy Williamson. They produced a characteristic small band style which became known as the "Bluebird sound" and which, when electric amplification was added, became hugely influential on R&B and early rock and roll records. However, Bluebird all but ceased making blues records in 1942.

Meanwhile in the mid-1930s Bluebird was very successful in competing with ARC's cheap labels as well as the US Decca label which started in late 1934. Two of the most popular swing bandleaders, Artie Shaw and Glenn Miller, were Bluebird artists starting in 1938. Shep Fields and his "Rippling Rhythm" orchestra signed with the label as early as 1936. Earl Hines was also a Bluebird artist during the early 1940s. During the WWII years (and the recording ban), Victor reissued hundreds of previously rare hot jazz by artists like Duke Ellington, Jelly Roll Morton, Bennie Moten, McKinney's Cotton Pickers and many others on Bluebird. After World War II, however, Bluebird was discontinued and any popular Bluebird artists were moved up to the RCA Victor label.

The Bluebird imprint was later used for jazz releases and reissues, as well as children's records in the 1950s. In the mid 1970s it was reactivated by RCA for a series of 2-LP sets of big band and jazz reissues produced by Frank Driggs. Bluebird remains active as a jazz label in the CD era.