Savoy Records

US label; also appears as "Savoy" only; previously part of the Concord Music Group.
Label Code: LC 37345

For unofficial releases, see Savoy Records (4).
Savoy Records is an American record label founded in 1942 by Herman Lubinsky, specializing in Jazz, R&B and Gospel. Savoy played an important role in popularizing bebop. After Lubinsky's death, Arista Records, Inc. purchased the Savoy catalog in December 1975 from the Herman Lubinsky Estate. The first reissue released was Charlie Parker - Bird / The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes) in the Spring of 1976.
A decade later, the gospel music division's masters and contracts were sold to southern R&B/blues/gospel label Malaco Records in 1986. In 1991, the Savoy catalogue was acquired from Joe Fields by Denon from Japan. Denon's parent, Nippon Columbia Co., Ltd., established the Savoy Label Group in 2002. The Savoy Label Group managed the Savoy catalogue until September 2017, when it was acquired by Concord Music.

For the companies, see:
-Savoy Record Co.
-Savoy Record Co., Inc.
-Savoy Records, Inc.

Note that many of the Savoy 12" LPs were reissued in the 1960s & 1970s. LPs released between 1950-1962 have "blood red" labels. The first release to solely sport "maroon" labels is MG-12169 (Sun Ra ‎– The Futuristic Sounds Of Sun Ra). However, due to the inconsistency of pressing plants, a few later releases have been found with "blood red" labels as well (most notably MG-12193, "The Marzette Watts Ensemble"). 1960s reissues of older titles will have "maroon" labels, 1970s "oxblood". All releases prior to Valdo Williams - New Advanced Jazz do not include a zip code or P.O. Box on the rear cover.

When Arista acquired Savoy, they used new labels for their Jazz reissues and Gospel releases/reissues:
1) The jazz label began with large lettered "Savoy" across the top with some instruments below (see Charlie Parker - Bird / The Savoy Recordings (Master Takes)).
2) The Gospel label had similar letters across the top, but with a music note below it (see Roberta Martin Singers - Grace). The label changed again in 1977 with this release Rev. James Cleveland Presents The Ruth Schofield Edition - The Story Of Ruth.

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Savoy in France:
A good example to understand variants is MG 12046 The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Quartet released five times for each "period".

- since mid-50's : Savoy red labels The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Quartet
- mid-60's : Savoy-Musidisc red labels The Modern Jazz Quartet - Anthology MJQ
- 1969 to early 70's : BYG Records black or orange labels The Modern Jazz Quartet - The Modern Jazz Quartet
- mid-70's Musidisc grey labels The Modern Jazz Quartet - First Recordings 1952
- 1978 : Savoy/Arista red labels Milt Jackson - The First Q