Franklin Kort (1902–1956) was an American record executive, producer, and promoter who played an important role in the development of independent rhythm & blues labels on the West Coast. Born in Illinois, Kort worked in the Los Angeles record industry during the 1940s and became associated with several independent labels, including Exclusive Records, Swing Time Records, and Recorded in Hollywood. He was particularly active in sales, promotion, and artist development.
Kort served as a sales and promotion executive for Exclusive Records before becoming associated with Swing Time, where he worked with artists including Lowell Fulson and Lloyd Glenn. He later became sales manager and an important figure at Recorded in Hollywood Records, working with artists such as Little Caesar. Contemporary trade publications frequently mentioned Kort in connection with new R&B releases and artist promotion.
In 1953, Kort established Bayou Records in Los Angeles. The label specialized in rhythm & blues and recorded artists including Dave Bartholomew, Big Jay McNeely, Joe Houston, Jesse Allen, Mercy Dee, Goree Carter, and Big Joe Turner. Bayou was short-lived, and its catalog was absorbed into Imperial Records later that year.
Kort continued working in the Los Angeles music business until his death in San Gabriel, California, on February 25, 1956, at the age of 53. Although his record labels were relatively short-lived, his work with independent R&B companies helped document the vibrant Los Angeles music scene of the late 1940s and early 1950s.
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[…] a short-lived American rhythm and blues label established in Los Angeles in 1953 by record producer Franklin Kort, who had previously worked with Recorded In Hollywood Records. The label specialized in R&B and […]