Blue Note jazz anniversary honored at Concertgebouw

The Amsterdam Concert Hall (Concertgebouw) celebrated the 75th anniversary of the American jazz label Blue Note on Thursday. The Concert Hall Jazz Orchestra gave a concert, and there were performances from American bebop tenor saxophone legend Benny Golson, and singer José James.  Blue Note records was set up in New York in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. It is one of the most significant labels for jazz music, and many of the world's most famous and pioneering musicians were signed under it, including John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock and Thelonious Monk. Despite being set up after the Jazz Age of the 20s, the label became a significant vehicle for the 'hard bob' style of jazz, which is a mix of bebob and other forms of music such as blues, soul and gospel.

Blue Note is a co-organizer of the concert in Amsterdam, because the Concert Hall has always had a soft spot for jazz. The 85-year old 'living legend', Golson performed there in the 50s. He played with many of the greats including Lionel Hampton, Dizzy Gillespie and Art Blakely. Some of his compositions were made world famous by Miles Davis. José James is said to be "one of the biggest jazz talents of this moment."