Excelsior Records was an American record label established by Otis René, which existed from 1944 to 1971. It is particularly notable as having released some of the earliest recordings of Nat King Cole. It is not to be confused with former MCA and current independent record label Excelsior Recordings of The Netherlands.
The Excelsior record label was established by Otis René in 1944, and ceased operations in original form in 1951, only to live on in a second incarnation until 1971.[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, only to be purchased out of bankruptcy in name only, and the label existed another 20 years by selling second and third-run pressings of recordings.[citation needed] In 1952, Otis started up the short-lived Spin Records with musician Preston Love.
The Otis René Story (1942-1952) V.S.O.P. Records #121 [UPC: 722937212126] 2-CD set - note: features 44 songs from the vaults of Excelsior Records, including 9 previously unreleased tracks and demos; also includes 5 of the 6 tracks released by his short-lived Spin Records label.
Referencesedit
^The Vocal Group Harmony Website,Herb Jeffries and Three Shades of Rhythm. Retrieved 2012-03-22.
^Uncredited, Billboard, September 1, 1945, Buck-Five Disk of Indies Seen Different Ways. Retrieved 2012-03-21.
External linksedit
Excelsior Records on the Internet Archive's Great 78 Project
January 01, 1970
excelsior, records, american, record, label, established, otis, rené, which, existed, from, 1944, 1971, particularly, notable, having, released, some, earliest, recordings, king, cole, confused, with, former, current, independent, record, label, excelsior, rec. Excelsior Records was an American record label established by Otis Rene which existed from 1944 to 1971 It is particularly notable as having released some of the earliest recordings of Nat King Cole It is not to be confused with former MCA and current independent record label Excelsior Recordings of The Netherlands Contents 1 History 2 List of artists on Excelsior 3 CD compilations 4 References 5 External linksHistory editThe Excelsior record label was established by Otis Rene in 1944 and ceased operations in original form in 1951 only to live on in a second incarnation until 1971 1 It is particularly notable for having released some of the first recordings by Nat King Cole Otis Rene was noted to have earned 25 000 on one song in 1945 I m Lost recorded by the King Cole Trio Rene 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 amp His Orchestra the Charles Mingus Sextet Johnny Otis amp His Orchestra the Gladys Bentley Quintet and the Al Stomp Russell Trio Otis Rene and his brother Leon Rene 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 only to be purchased out of bankruptcy in name only and the label existed another 20 years by selling second and third run pressings of recordings citation needed In 1952 Otis started up the short lived Spin Records with musician Preston Love List of artists on Excelsior editBuddy Banks Orchestra Eddie Beal Trio Gladys Bentley Quintette Smiley Burnette amp His Rancheros King Cole Trio Herb Jeffries Memphis Jimmy McCracklin Charles Mingus Sextette Johnny Otis and his Orchestra King Perry Orchestra Timmie Rogers Jimmy Rushing Lucky Thompson All Stars Big Joe Turner Gerald Wilson amp His OrchestraCD compilations editThe Otis Rene Story 1942 1952 V S O P Records 121 UPC 722937212126 2 CD set note features 44 songs from the vaults of Excelsior Records including 9 previously unreleased tracks and demos also includes 5 of the 6 tracks released by his short lived Spin Records label References edit The Vocal Group Harmony Website Herb Jeffries and Three Shades of Rhythm Retrieved 2012 03 22 Uncredited Billboard September 1 1945 Buck Five Disk of Indies Seen Different Ways Retrieved 2012 03 21 External links editExcelsior Records on the Internet Archive s Great 78 Project Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Excelsior Records amp oldid 1145209562, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
