Blu-disc

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Blu-Disc Records was a short-lived American record label based in New York City, active in 1924. The label is particularly important for its association with some of the earliest commercial recordings of Duke Ellington, then performing with his orchestra under the name The Washingtonians. Only nine known releases were issued, making original Blu-Disc 78 rpm records exceptionally rare.

Blu-Disc’s catalog included recordings by The Washingtonians, Leroy Smith and his Orchestra, Jo Trent, and Alberta Pryme. Ellington’s November 1924 sessions produced such early recordings as “Rainy Nights” and “Choo Choo.” The label also advertised forthcoming recordings by Paul Robeson and Fred Weaver, although Blu-Disc ceased operations before those records could be released.

The identity of the label’s founder has long been uncertain, but research by Allan Sutton suggests that Blu-Disc was probably a venture of Joseph H. “Jo” Trent, a Harlem songwriter, singer, and publisher associated with the Rainbow Music Company. The label’s masters were probably recorded through Emerson Recording Laboratories, while some releases incorporated masters licensed from other companies.

Blu-Disc appears to have operated only during December 1924, making it one of the shortest-lived record labels of the era. Its tiny catalog nevertheless has considerable historical importance because it preserves some of Duke Ellington’s earliest recorded work.

Blu-disc Discography

Cat #ArtistSong TitleMatrixXREF1XREF2XREF3XREF4XREF5Recording DateComposer
1001Leroy Smith and his Dance OrchestraMorning (Won't You Ever Come Round)Broadway 11442Triangle 11442Clover 15241924
1001Leroy Smith and his Dance OrchestraStop And ListenBroadway 11442Triangle 114421924
1002-AThe WashingtoniansChoo ChooT2005-2Broadway 11437Triangle 11437Pennington 1437Everybodys 1021Nov-24Ellington - Ringle - Schafer
1002-BThe WashingtoniansRainy NightsT2006-1Broadway 11437Triangle 11437Pennington 1437Everybodys 1021Nov-24Trent - Donaldson
1003-ASunny and the D C'nsOh! How I Love My DarlingT2008-1Nov-24Leslie - Woods
1003-BJo Trent and the DC'nsDeacon JazzT2007-1Nov-24Trent - Ellington
1004-ADuke Ellington's OrchestraRose MarieBroadway 11423Triangle 11423Pennington 1423Embassy 11423Ross Stores 114231924
1004-BDuke Ellington's OrchestraNashville NightingaleBroadway 11423Triangle 11423Pennington 1423Embassy 11423Ross Stores 114231924
1005The Blu-Disc OrchestraI Want To Be HappyThe Mitchell 11425Triangle 114251924
1005The Blu-Disc OrchestraTea For Two1924
1006The Blu-Disc OrchestraJune NightTriangle 113911924
1006The Blu-Disc OrchestraIt Had To Be YouTriangle 11383Carnival 11383The Mitchell 11383Puritan11383Pennington 13831924
1007-AAlberta PrimeIt's Gonna Be A Cold, Cold Winter (So Get Another Place To Stay)T2001-1Nov-24Trent - Grainger
1007-BAlberta Prime - Sonny GreerParlor Social De LuxeT2002-2Nov-24Trent - Ellington
1008Irving PostFollow The SwallowBroadway 11428Triangle 11428Hudson 114281924
1008Irving PostPut Away A Little Ray Of Golden Sunshine (For A Rainy Day)Broadway 11428Triangle 11428Hudson 114281924
1009Arthur HallOh! You Can't Fool An Old Horse FlyTriangle 11438Pennington 14381924
1009Arthur Hall - John RyanHow Do You DoTriangle 11438Pennington 14381924

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Joseph H. “Jo” Trent – Music History Project

Joseph H. “Jo” Trent – Music History Project

[…] is particularly important to recording history because he is strongly believed to have been behind Blu-Disc Records, a short-lived New York label that issued only nine known releases in late 1924. He recorded for […]

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