Black And Blue

French record label founded in 1968 specializing in swing, jazz and blues. Label Code: LC 53418 Also credited as - Black & Blue Founded by Jean-Marie Monestier and Jean-Pierre Tahmazian, later joined by Jean-Pierre Vignola and Didier Tricard, the label is also linked to Monestier's in 1969 founded Chicago Blues Festival, European Concert Series from which recordings were released. Jacques Morgantini was as recording supervisor another notable collaborator. Initially established by Monestier mainly to issue material from earlier concerts and defunct labels, including concerts by Big Bill Broonzy and Memphis Slim. From 1967 visiting African American jazz and blues artists were recorded and, in partnership with Jean-Pierre Tahmazian, tours were arranged for this purpose, building into one of the most important catalogs of blues and swing in the world. Blues artists recorded included Gatemouth Brown, Jimmy Dawkins, Luther Johnson, Louis Jordan, Sammy Price, Jimmy Rogers, Willie Mabon, and French resident Mickey Baker. In 1977-1984, Isabel, a subsidiary label wholly devoted to blues, included albums by Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Magic Slim, and Lucky Peterson. Albums by Dawkins and Peterson rank among their best work; many feel that some artists with lesser instrumental skills were hampered by lack of A&R direction. Some reissues from the R&B era by such performers as Cecil Gant and Cousin Joe appeared on the Riverboat label. Few new recordings were made after the mid-1980s but repackaging of the back catalog on CD has included much previously unissued material.