Excelsior Records

Excelsior Records was an American record label established by Otis René, which existed from 1944 to 1951. It is particularly notable as having released some of the earliest recordings of Nat King Cole.

History

The Excelsior record label was established by Otis René in 1944, and ceased operations in 1951.[1] It is particularly notable for having released some of the first recordings by Nat King Cole. Otis René was noted to have earned $25,000 on one song in 1945, "I'm Lost", recorded by the King Cole Trio. René had written and produced the song, as well as distributed the record.[2] Other artists on Excelsior Records included Herb Jeffries, the King Perry Orchestra, Timmie Rogers, the Flennoy Trio, Gerald Wilson & His Orchestra, the Charles Mingus Sextet, Johnny Otis & His Orchestra, the Gladys Bentley Quintet, and the Al Stomp Russell Trio.

Otis René and his brother Leon René (who owned Exclusive Records) had purchased their own shellac record pressing plant, but when the format changed from 78 rpm to 45 rpm, their old equipment could not press the new smaller vinyl discs, and both labels went out of business. In 1952, Otis started up the short-lived Spin Records with musician Preston Love.

List of artists on Excelsior

CD compilations

References

  1. The Vocal Group Harmony Website,Herb Jeffries and Three Shades of Rhythm. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
  2. Uncredited, Billboard, September 1, 1945, Buck-Five Disk of Indies Seen Different Ways. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
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