Delmark Records 50th Anniversary CD Sets

On April 22nd, Delmark Records will release a pair of double-disc compilation CDs and box set to commemorate its 50th Anniversary (I've pasted the one sheet below.) These releases are a comprehensive collection of Delmark's 50 year old catalogue of jazz and blues recordings - a virtual slice of musical history.

Special notes:

• 2003 is the “Year of the Blues."
• This year's 20th Annual Chicago Blues Festival (May 29 - June 1) has planned a tribute to Delmark, the “Golden Jubilee of Delmark Records."
• This year's 25th Annual Chicago Jazz Festival (August 28 - 31) has planned a tribute to Delmark Records.
• Chicago blues club, Buddy Guy's Legends, will host a Delmark 50th Anniversary celebration on May 9th featuring performances by Jimmy Dawkins, Johnny B Moore, Willie Kent (2003 WC Handy nominee), Little Arthur Duncan, Bonnie Lee, and Shirley Johnson (2003 WC Handy nominee).
• Other 50th Anniversary events are in the works.

DELMARK RECORDS 50th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTIONS

Delmark - 50 Years Of Jazz And Blues -- Jazz (Delmark DD-904) 2 CD set at a budget price celebrating Delmark's rich jazz recorded legacy! 28 songs including previously unissued tracks by Sonny Stitt and Tab Smith; tracks not currently on other Delmark CDs by Malachi Thompson's Africa Brass featuring Gary Bartz, Art Hodes and from September 19, 1953 The Windy City Six. Also featuring Coleman Hawkins, Sun Ra, Illinois Jacquet, Archie Shepp, Dinah Washington, Franz Jackson, Sir Charles Thompson, Barrett Deems, Ira Sullivan, Francine Griffin, Muhal Richard Abrams, Jimmy Forrest, Fred Anderson, Roscoe Mitchell, Chicago Underground Trio, Jeff Parker, Ken Vandermark, Roy Campbell, Frank Catalano & Von Freeman, Zane Massey and more.

Delmark - 50 Years Of Jazz And Blues -- Blues (Delmark DD-905) 2 CD set at a budget price celebrating Delmark's rich blues recorded legacy! 32 songs including previously unissued tracks by Junior Wells with The Aces, Magic Sam, J.B. Hutto, Big Joe Williams and Sleepy John Estes. Also featuring Otis Rush, Lurrie Bell, Karen Carroll,Luther Allison,Syl Johnson, Little Milton, Carey Bell, Robert Ward, Little Walter with Muddy Waters, Zora Young, Willie Kent, Jimmy Burns, Albert Ammons with Meade Lux Lewis and Pete Johnson, Steve Freund, Dave Specter, Frank Morey, Speckled Red, Eddie Burns, Edith Wilson, The Moroccos, Tail Dragger, Roosevelt Sykes, Reginald Robinson, Big Time Sarah, Jesse Fortune, The Big DooWopper and Sunnyland Slim.

Delmark - 50 Years Of Jazz And Blues -- Jazz & Blues Box Set (Delmark DX-50) 4 CD box set plus bonus Video CD celebrating Delmark's rich jazz and blues recorded legacy! Contains 2 CD Jazz (DD-904), 2 CD Blues (DD-905). Bonus Video CD features “Down By The Riverside", a video montage of recent Delmark recording sessions and performances, and “A Tribute To Delmark Records", a documentary profiling the independent spirit of Delmark Records and its owner Bob Koester.

Website: www.delmark.com