Capri Records (Jazz record label)

Capri Records Ltd.^[1] is an independent jazz label started by record collector, jazz enthusiast and entrepreneur Thomas Burns.^[2][3] The Colorado-based label has a catalog of more than a hundred titles by musicians such as bassists Ray Brown and Red Mitchell, trombonists Al Grey and Phil Wilson, saxophonist Bud Shank and drummer Louie Bellson.^[4]

Capri Records Ltd.
Founded	1984
Founder	Thomas Burns
Genre	Jazz
Country of origin	US
Official website	http://caprirecords.com/

History

Capri Records Ltd. was founded by Burns in 1984 with the release of an LP by tenor saxophonist Spike Robinson. Burns started the label when Robinson, who was planning on retiring from his engineering job to play jazz full-time, approached him. They produced three LPs together.

With the success of these and other projects, Burns sought to expand his label, funding it by selling much of his personal jazz collection (more than 40,000 albums at the time). He sought Denver-area residents like pianist/vocalist Ellyn Rucker, who made her recording debut for Capri. He was introduced to bassist John Clayton at Dick Gibson’s famous Colorado jazz parties by the great Ray Brown. He met Jeff Hamilton in 1978 at the 2nd annual Telluride Jazz Festival. He has also encouraged younger players like guitarist Graham Dechter and drummer Colin Stranahan, helping them get greater exposure through their recordings for Capri.

Current Activities

Burns’ liaison with writer/arranger Mark Masters has led to the resurgence of Grachan Moncur III, who had not made a recording under his name in 40 years. In 2013, Masters reworked the music of the rock group Steely Dan for an avant-garde big band setting.

Also in 2013, Jeff Hamilton suggested a recording with veteran actor Wilford Brimley^[5] and his trio. Gary Smulyan wanted to make a recording of Neapolitan melodies with actor and singer Dominic Chianese, who was already well known for his vocal treatments of classic Italian tunes. Ali Ryerson, who along with Holly Hofmann and Frank Wess participated in the classic Flutology date in 2003, came to him with the idea to record an all flute big band titled Game Changer.

Capri's 2014 releases include new recordings by Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra featuring Ernie Andrews and Barbara Morrison; Holly Hofmann’s first all-alto-flute project; the Joshua Breakstone trio and quartet with cello; and a relative newcomer to Capri, baritone saxophonist Adam Schroeder, with his second release for the label.

Notable Artists with Albums on Capri

• Louie Bellson
• Joe Bonner
• Ray Brown
• Clayton/Hamilton Jazz Orchestra
• Bob Cooper
• John Fedchock
• Curtis Fuller
• Joe Gilman
• Al Grey
• Jeff Hamilton Trio
• Atsuko Hashimoto
• Fred Hess
• Ernie Krivda
• Ron Miles
• Red Mitchell
• Grachan Moncur III
• Stephanie Nakasian
• Ken Peplowski
• Spike Robinson
• Jimmy Rowles
• Ali Ryerson
• Bud Shank
• Gary Smulyan
• Jiggs Whigham
• Phil Wilson
• Mike Wofford
• Phil Woods

Selected Discography

• Ellyn Rucker and Friends, Thoughts Of You^[6]
• Ron Miles, Trio^[7]
• Joshua Breakstone, Tomorrow's Hours^[8]
• Mark Masters Ensemble, American Jazz Institute Presents The Clifford Brown Project^[9]
• Flutology, First Date^[10]
• Mark Masters, One Day With Lee^[11]
• Phil Wilson's Pan American All-Stars, Celebrate the Music of Antonio Carlos Tom Jobim^[12]
• Curtis Fuller, I Will Tell Her^[13]
• Chip Stephens Trio, Relevancy^[14]
• Mike Wofford, It's Personal^[15]
• Tom Kennedy, Just Play^[16]
• Mark Masters, Everything You Did^[17]
• Ali Ryerson and the Jazz Flute Big Band, Game Changer^[18]
• Ken Peplowski, Maybe September^[19]
• Jeff Hamilton, Wilford Brimley with the Jeff Hamilton Trio^[20]
• Frank Potenza, For Joe^[21]
• Mike Jones Trio, Plays Well with Others^[22][23]
• Gary Smulyan/Dominic Chianese, Bella Napoli^[24]
• Joshua Breakstone, With the Wind and the Rain^[25][26]

References

1. "Capri Records". Retrieved 18 March 2014.
2. Dryden, Ken. "Capri Records" (PDF). The New York City Jazz Record. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
3. "Jazz Near You: Capri Records". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
4. "Capri Records Store". Capri Records. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
5. Saunders, Bret. "Wilford Brimley's latest project: A jazz album from Capri records". The Denver Post. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
6. Burns, Dave. "Review: Thoughts Of You". JazzTimes. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
7. Porter, Christopher. "Review: Ron Miles Trio". JazzTimes. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
8. Ferguson, Jim. "Review: Tomorrow's Hours". JazzTimes. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
9. Adler, David. "Review: Clifford Brown Project". JazzTimes. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
10. Sicha, Choire. "The Guide". The New York Times. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
11. Siders, Harvey. "Review: One Day With Lee". JazzTimes. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
12. Mauleon, Rebeca. "Review: Celebrate the Music of Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim". JazzTimes. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
13. Mitchell, Glenn A. "I Will Tell Her". Jazz Police. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
14. Wolff, Carlo. "Review: Relevancy". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
15. Dayton-Johnson, Jeff. "Review: It's Personal". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
16. Bilawsky, Dan. "Review: Just Play". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
17. McClenaghan, Dan. "Review: Everything You Did". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
18. Bowers, Jack. "Review: Game Changer". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
19. Schlesinger, Dr. Judith. "Review: Maybe September". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
20. Bilawsky, Dan. "Review: Wilford Brimley With The Jeff Hamilton Trio". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
21. Lindsay, Bruce. "Review: For Joe". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
22. Bowers, Jack. "Review: Plays Well With Others". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
23. Giroux, Pierre. "Plays Well With Others". Audiophile Audition. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
24. Schlesinger, Dr. Judith. "Review: Bella Napoli". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
25. Blanco, Edward. "Review: With The Wind And The Rain". All About Jazz. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
26. Yohn, Linda. "With The Wind And The Rain - Pure Pleasure from Guitarist Joshua Breakstone". WEMU. Retrieved 18 March 2014.

External links

• Official website