Contemporary Records
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Contemporary Records was a jazz record company and label founded by Lester Koenig in Los Angeles in 1951. Contemporary produced music from a variety of jazz styles and players.[1]
West Coast players
Contemporary became identified with a style of jazz called West Coast jazz as exemplified by Art Pepper, Chet Baker, Shelly Manne, and André Previn.[1]
In the mid 1960s the company fell into relative limbo, but limited new recordings were made in the late 1970s, including a series of albums by Art Pepper recorded at the Village Vanguard club in New York. After Les Koenig's death in 1977, the label was run for seven years by his son,[1] John, who produced albums by George Cables, Joe Farrell, Joe Henderson, Bobby Hutcherson, Peter Erskine, and Chico Freeman.
In 1984 Contemporary was purchased by Fantasy Records, which used the name for a short time. Most Contemporary titles were reissued by Fantasy. Also, some titles have found new life among today's audiophiles as high-quality LP remasters from Analogue Productions and other audiophile labels. The Fantasy catalog, including Contemporary and its associated labels, Good Time Jazz Records, Society for Forgotten Music, and Contemporary Composers Series, was sold to Concord Records in 2004.
Over the years, a number of major figures in the music business worked for Contemporary. Among them were Atlantic Records executive Nesuhi Ertegun, writers Nat Hentoff and Leonard Feather, producer Joe Boyd, recording engineer and studio designer Howard Holzer, and mastering engineer Bernie Grundman.
Recording
Lester Koenig was very particular about high fidelity sounds[2] In 1956 Koenig hired away Roy DuNann from Capitol Records, and DuNann provided some creative recording techniques for the label.[3] He said Koenig provided him with German (Neumann/Telefunken U-47) and Austrian (AKG C-12) condenser microphones and he immediately noted the very high output of these microphones, especially close-in on jazz musicians' dynamic playing. DuNann achieved his signature sound—crisp, clear and balanced without distortion or unpleasant "peak presence"—by keeping his microphone setups very simple (generally one per musician) and avoided the use of pre-amplifiers for them.
He built a simple passive mixing system that directly fed the electronics of his Ampex 350 and 351 tape machines. Also, DuNann told Stereophile that Contemporary sessions were recorded "dry" (without electronic echo added or in a reverberant room). Sometimes, such as in the case of Sonny Rollins' Way Out West, a plate reverb unit was inserted between the tape machine and the LP disc cutting lathe. This is why some later LP and CD reissues of Contemporary albums sound "dry" and "dead" compared to the original LPs mastered by DuNann.
Discography
Contemporary 3500/7500 series
The 3500 (mono)/7500 (stereo) series of 12 inch LP records commenced in 1955 and ran until 1961.[4] Contemporary was the first jazz label to record albums in stereo from 1956.[5]
| Catalog | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 3501 | Script error: No such module "Sort".'s Lighthouse All-Stars | Sunday Jazz a la Lighthouse, Vol. 1 |
| 3502 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | He Swings the Most |
| 3503 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Vol 3: The Octet #2 |
| 3504 | Script error: No such module "Sort".'s Lighthouse All-Stars | Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars Vol. 6 |
| 3505 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Trio | Hampton Hawes Trio |
| 3506 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 12-Tone Compositions and Arrangements by Lyle Murphy |
| 3507 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | The West Coast Sound |
| 3508 | Script error: No such module "Sort".'s Lighthouse All-Stars | Howard Rumsey's Lighthouse All-Stars Vol. 3 |
| 3509 | Script error: No such module "Sort".'s Lighthouse All-Stars/Barney Kessel/Hampton Hawes Trio with Shelly Manne | Lighthouse at Laguna |
| 3510 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Vol 4: The Quintets & Strings |
| 3511 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Easy Like |
| 3512 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Kessel Plays Standards |
| 3513 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | To Swing or Not to Swing |
| 3514 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Duane Tatro's Jazz for Moderns |
| 3515 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Trio | This Is Hampton Hawes |
| 3516 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | Swinging Sounds |
| 3517 | Script error: No such module "Sort".'s Lighthouse All-Stars | In the Solo Spotlight |
| 3518 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Volume 1: The Quintets |
| 3519 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | More Swinging Sounds |
| 3520 | Script error: No such module "Sort".'s Lighthouse All-Stars | Oboe/Flute |
| 3521 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Music to Listen to Barney Kessel By |
| 3522 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Man of Many Parts |
| 3523 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Trio | Everybody Likes Hampton Hawes |
| 3524 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Vol 5: The Sextet |
| 3525 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Shelly Manne & His Friends |
| 3526 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Curtis Counce Group |
| 3527 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Friends | My Fair Lady |
| 3528 | Script error: No such module "Sort".'s Lighthouse All-Stars | Music for Lighthousekeeping |
| 3529 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Pub Crawling with Jimmy Deuchar |
| 3530 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Way Out West |
| 3531 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Nice Day with Buddy Collette |
| 3532 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Art Pepper Meets the Rhythm Section |
| 3533 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Friends | Li'l Abner |
| 3534 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Music to Listen to Red Norvo By |
| 3535 | Script error: No such module "Sort"., Shelly Manne and Ray Brown | The Poll Winners |
| 3536 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | Concerto for Clarinet & Combo |
| 3537 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & Russ Freeman | Double Play! |
| 3538 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Presenting Red Mitchell |
| 3539 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | You Get More Bounce with Curtis Counce! |
| 3540 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Zounds! |
| 3541 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Suite Sixteen |
| 3542 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Leroy Walks! |
| 3543 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Pals | Pal Joey |
| 3544 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Coop! The Music of Bob Cooper |
| 3545 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | All Night Session! Vol. 1 |
| 3546 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | All Night Session! Vol. 2 |
| 3547 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | All Night Session! Vol. 3 |
| 3548 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Pals | Gigi |
| 3549 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Arrival of Victor Feldman |
| 3550 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Harold in the Land of Jazz |
| 3551 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Something Else!!!! |
| 3552 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Benny Golson's New York Scene |
| 3553 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Four! |
| 3554 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Portrait of Art Farmer |
| 3555 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Jazz Giant |
| 3556 | Script error: No such module "Sort"., Shelley Manne & Ray Brown | The Poll Winners Ride Again! |
| 3557 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | The Gambit |
| 3558 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | André Previn Plays Songs by Vernon Duke |
| 3559 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Friends | Bells Are Ringing |
| 3560 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | Shelly Manne & His Men Play Peter Gunn |
| 3561 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Quartet | Swingin' the '20s |
| 3562 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Looking Ahead! |
| 3563 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Carmen |
| 3564 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Sonny Rollins and the Contemporary Leaders |
| 3565 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Some Like It Hot |
| 3566 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | Son of Gunn!! |
| 3567 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | André Previn Plays Songs by Jerome Kern |
| 3568 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Art Pepper + Eleven - Modern Jazz Classics |
| 3569 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Tomorrow Is the Question! |
| 3570 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Jazz Trio | King Size! |
| 3571 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 'Tain't Nobody's Biz-Ness If I Do |
| 3572 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Pals | West Side Story |
| 3573 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Gettin' Together |
| 3574 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Group | Carl's Blues |
| 3575 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Like Previn! |
| 3576 | Script error: No such module "Sort"., Shelly Manne & Ray Brown | Poll Winners Three! |
| 3577 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | At the Black Hawk 1 |
| 3578 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | At the Black Hawk 2 |
| 3579 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | At the Black Hawk 3 |
| 3580 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | At the Black Hawk 4 |
| 3581 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Exploring the Scene! |
| 3582 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Songs I Like to Sing! |
| 3583 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Teddy's Ready! |
| 3584 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Three & The Two |
| 3585 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Workin' Out! with the Barney Kessel Quartet |
| 3586 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | André Previn Plays Songs by Harold Arlen |
| 3587 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | The Proper Time |
| 3588 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Howard McGhee | Together Again!!!! |
| 3589 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | For Real! |
| 3590 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Ruth Price with Shelly Manne & His Men at the Manne-Hole |
| 3591 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Folk Jazz |
| 3592 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Good Gravy! |
| 3593/4 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | Live! Shelly Manne & His Men at the Manne-Hole |
| 3595 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Relax and Enjoy It! |
| 3596 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Maggie's Back in Town!! |
| 3597 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Lookin' Good! |
| 3598 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Swingin' with Humes |
| 3599 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & His Men | Shelly Manne & His Men Play Checkmate |
Contemporary Popular 5000/9000 series
The 5000 (mono)/9000 (stereo) series of 12 inch LP records commenced in 1956 and ran until 1962.[6][7]
| Catalog | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 5001 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Dig Mel Henke |
| 5002 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Claire Austin Sings "When Your Lover Has Gone" |
| 5003 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Now Spin This! |
| 5004 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | !Flamenco Fenomeno! |
| 5005 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Latinsville! |
| 5006 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Jack Marshall | Sounds Unheard Of! |
Contemporary 3600/7600 series
The 3600 (mono)/7600 (stereo) series of 12 inch LP records commenced in 1962 and ran until around the early 1980s.[8] After 3624 all releases were stereo only.[9]
| Catalog | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 3600 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | A World of Piano! |
| 3601 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Love Moods |
| 3602 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Smack Up |
| 3603 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Let's Cook! |
| 3604 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Make the Man Love Me |
| 3605 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Awakening!! |
| 3606 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Heart & Soul |
| 3607 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Intensity |
| 3608 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Leroy Walks Again!! |
| 3609 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | My Son the Jazz Drummer! |
| 3610 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Quintet featuring Sonny Simmons | The Cry! |
| 3611 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Great Jazz Piano of Phineas Newborn Jr. |
| 3612 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Conflict |
| 3613 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Barney Kessel's Swingin' Party |
| 3614 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Green Leaves of Summer |
| 3615 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Newborn Touch |
| 3616 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Here and Now |
| 3617 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Sonny Simmons | Firebirds |
| 3618 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Feeling Free |
| 3619 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Fox |
| 3620 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Elmo Hope Trio |
| 3621 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Seance |
| 7622 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Please Send Me Someone to Love |
| 3623 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Rumasuma |
| 3624 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Outside |
| 7625/6 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Burning Spirits |
| 7627/8 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Blackstone Legacy |
| 7629 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Alive in London |
| 7630 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Way It Was! |
| 7631 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | I'm All Smiles |
| 7632 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Song of Songs |
| 7633 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Living Legend |
| 7634 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Harlem Blues |
| 7635 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Straight Ahead |
| 7636 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | On the Road |
| 7637 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Hampton Hawes at the Piano |
| 7638 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Trip |
| 7639 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | No Limit |
| 7640 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Beyond the Rain |
| 7641 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Something for Lester |
| 7642 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Thursday Night at the Village Vanguard |
| 7643 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Friday Night at the Village Vanguard |
| 7644 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Saturday Night at the Village Vanguard |
| 7645 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and The Lighthouse All-Stars | At Last! |
| 7646 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Ben Webster at the Renaissance |
| 7647 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Dream Band |
| 7648 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Back Home |
| 7649 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and The Lighthouse All-Stars | Witch Doctor |
| 7650 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | More for Les at the Village Vanguard |
| 7651 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Contemporary Alternate Takes |
| 7652 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Dream Band | The Sundown Sessions |
| 7653 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Sermon |
| 7654 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Dream Band | Flying Home |
| 7655 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Sonority |
| 7656 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Dream Band | Main Stem |
| 7657 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Big Cat |
| 7658 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Dream Band | One More Time |
14000 series
The 14000 series began in 1980 with 12 inch LP records and in 1982 commenced releases on compact disc.[10] After 1992 all releases were CD only.[9]
| Catalog | Artist | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 14001 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Cables' Vision |
| 14002 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Sonic Text |
| 14003 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Avant Garson |
| 14004 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Lunch in L.A. |
| 14005 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Peaceful Heart, Gentle Spirit |
| 14006 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Relaxin' at Camarillo |
| 14007 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Rain Forest |
| 14008 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Destiny's Dance |
| 14009 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Solo / Quartet |
| 14010 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Peter Erskine |
| 14011 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Journey to the East |
| 14012 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | California Concert |
| 14013 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Easy Living |
| 14014 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Phantom of the City |
| 14015 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Circle |
| 14016 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Red Mitchell | Jimmy Rowles with the Red Mitchell Trio |
| 14017 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Snooky Young | In a Mellotone |
| 14018 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | In Zurich |
| 14019 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | That Old Feeling |
| 14020 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Back to the City |
| 14021 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Lament |
| 14022 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Latin Connection |
| 14023 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Classic |
| 14024 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Bridgework |
| 14025 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Quintet | Echoes |
| 14026 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Quintet | Bebop Lives! |
| 14027 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Bud Shank Quartet at Jazz Alley |
| 14028 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Luther Hughes and Cahoots |
| 14029 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Something to Live For: The Music of Billy Strayhorn |
| 14030 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | By George |
| 14031 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Serious Swingers |
| 14032 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | I'm Glad There Is You |
| 14033 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Spontaneous Combustion |
| 14034 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Real Time |
| 14035 | Script error: No such module "Sort". & George Cables | Double Image |
| 14036 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Buddy DeFranco | Chicago Fire |
| 14037 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and George Robert | Sun Dance |
| 14038 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | New Again |
| 14039 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and the McCoy Tyner Trio | Major Changes |
| 14040 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Evening Star |
| 14041 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Phoenix Rising |
| 14042 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Blame It On My Youth |
| 14043 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Stories |
| 14044 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Red Hot & Blue |
| 14045 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Quartet | Yardbird Suite |
| 14046 | Jackie and Roy | Full Circle |
| 14047 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Buddy DeFranco | Holiday for Swing |
| 14048 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Tomorrow's Rainbow |
| 14049 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Love You Madly |
| 14050 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Quartet | Self-Portrait in Swing |
| 14051 | Rumsey, Howard | Jazz Invention |
| 14052 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Allstars | Reflections |
| 14053 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | After Hours |
| 14054 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Sail Away |
| 14055 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Ph.D. |
| 14056 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Buddy DeFranco | Air Mail Special |
| 14057 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Frank Morgan | Central Avenue Reunion |
| 14058 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Guiding Spirit |
| 14059 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Form |
| 14060 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | The Real Thing |
| 14061 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Turning Point |
| 14062 | Script error: No such module "Sort". Trio | 9 by 3 |
| 14063 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Visions |
| 14064 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Bud Shank | Quiet Fire |
| 14065 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Sunup to Sundown |
| 14066 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Memories of You |
| 14067 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Kings of Swing |
| 14068 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Walking the Basses |
| 14069 | Script error: No such module "Sort". and Celin Romero | Spanish Guitar Music |
| 14070 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | ¡Flamenco Fenomeno! |
| 14071 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | 'Deed I Do |
| 14072 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Something Special |
| 14073 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Focus |
| 14074 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Back to Avalon |
| 14075 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Boiling Point |
| 14076 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Freedom Tower |
| 14077 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Mexican Passport |
| 14078 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Soul Mates |
| 14079 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Woody |
| 14080 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Mean Streets Beat |
| 14081 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Images |
| 14082 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Soul Serenade |
| 14083 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Hamp |
| 14084 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | Pacific Standard |
| 14085 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | St. Louis Blues |
| 14086 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | San Francisco Samba |
| 14087 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | In the Still of the Night |
| 14088 | Script error: No such module "Sort". | After Hours |
See also
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
- ↑ a b c Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Lester Koenig・・・ kcrw.com Retrieved 14 August 2025
- ↑ The sound of Contemporary records Jazztimes.com Retrieved 14 August 2025
- ↑ Contemporary Records Catalog: 3500/7500 series, accessed May 6, 2015
- ↑ Concord Music Group website, accessed May 7, 2015
- ↑ Contemporary Records Catalog: 3600/7600, 5000, 6000 series - album index, January 5, 2017
- ↑ Contemporary Label Discography, accessed January 5, 2017
- ↑ Contemporary Records Catalog: 3600/7600 series, accessed May 7, 2015
- ↑ a b Callahan, M. Contemporary Label Discography, Both Sides Now website, accessed May 7, 2015
- ↑ Contemporary Records Catalog: 14000 series, accessed May 7, 2015
Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Conrad, Thomas. "The Search for Roy DuNann" (April 2002; Stereophile Web site)
- Contemporary Records Listing
- Lester Koenig, Contemporary Records, Shelly Manne, AKG
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