Blue Lake Records

Blue Lake Records was an independent record label founded in Chicago in 1954 by Al Benson, the influential African American radio personality and owner of Parrot Records. Blue Lake served as a subsidiary of Parrot and concentrated on blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, doo-wop, and gospel. The label operated during Chicago’s important postwar R&B and blues period and released recordings on both 78 rpm and 45 rpm singles.

The Blue Lake catalog included recordings by Joe Williams, Red Saunders, Sunnyland Slim, Baby Boy Warren, King Fleming, Von Freeman, Jody Williams, Little Willy Foster, Lou Mac, and The Fascinators. Many of the label’s sessions were recorded in Chicago at Universal Recording, with Al Benson directly involved in the production of much of the material.

Blue Lake was a relatively small operation. The Parrot and Blue Lake labels together recorded approximately 285 known sides, with about 19 singles released on Blue Lake. Many of the masters eventually passed to Chess Records, which later issued some of the material.

The label continued after Benson sold Parrot and Blue Lake in 1956, but its run was brief. Blue Lake ceased operations in 1956, leaving behind a small but historically significant catalog of Chicago blues, jazz, gospel, and R&B.

Blue Lake Discography