Orrin Keepnews

Art by Tim Foley

Orrin Keepnews

Producer · born 2 March 1923 – died 1 March 2015

▸ Click for Richard Cook Bio

Keepnews became arguably the most significant of jazz record producers. He began writing jazz journalism when he came out of the army at the end of the 40s, then (with old friend Bill Grauer) began organizing a reissue programme of some of RCA Victor's jazz material for the new LP era. In 1953, he and Grauer founded Riverside, quickly among the up-and-coming jazz independent labels, and Keepnews himself produced many of Riverside's most important records, particularly those involving Thelonious Monk and Bill Evans: Evans named his tune 'Re: Person I Knew' in anagrammatical honour of his producer. In the 60s he co-founded Milestone and latterly ran production work at Fantasy, a company which subsequently acquired Prestige, Riverside and Milestone. In the 80s he established the Landmark label at a time when jazz independents were thought to be struggling, but he subsequently sold this off to Muse. Since then, he has mostly worked on reissue projects (such as RCA's vast edition of all their Duke Ellington holdings) and written copious sleevenotes and commentaries. Keepnews is not shy of claiming his credit in the jazz of the LP era, but considering what he had a hand in creating, he has a right.

Biography from Richard Cook's Jazz Encyclopedia (2005).

If you'd like more information, check out The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz (2002) or The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz (2007), both of which are still in print.

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Liner notes by Orrin Keepnews

1956

  • Thelonious Monk - Plays the Music of Duke EllingtonThelonious Monk - Plays the Music of Duke Ellington
  • Joe Sullivan - New Solos by an Old MasterJoe Sullivan - New Solos by an Old Master
  • Thelonious Monk - The UniqueThelonious Monk - The Unique
  • Randy Weston Trio - With These HandsRandy Weston Trio - With These Hands

1957

  • Matthew Gee - Jazz by GeeMatthew Gee - Jazz by Gee
  • Ernie Henry - Presenting Ernie HenryErnie Henry - Presenting Ernie Henry
  • Bill Evans - New Jazz ConceptionsBill Evans - New Jazz Conceptions
  • Kenny Drew - Kenny Drew TrioKenny Drew - Kenny Drew Trio
  • Trigger Alpert - Trigger HappyTrigger Alpert - Trigger Happy
  • Thelonious Monk - Brilliant CornersThelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners
  • Randy Weston - Trio and SoloRandy Weston - Trio and Solo
  • Zoot Sims - Zoot!Zoot Sims - Zoot!
  • Gigi Gryce - Jazz Lab QuintetGigi Gryce - Jazz Lab Quintet
  • Randy Weston - Jazz A La BohemiaRandy Weston - Jazz A La Bohemia
  • Coleman Hawkins - The Hawk Flies HighColeman Hawkins - The Hawk Flies High
  • Thelonious Monk - Thelonious HimselfThelonious Monk - Thelonious Himself
  • Kenny Drew - This Is NewKenny Drew - This Is New
  • Clark Terry - Serenade to a Bus SeatClark Terry - Serenade to a Bus Seat
  • Mundell Lowe - A Grand Night for SwingingMundell Lowe - A Grand Night for Swinging
  • Kenny Dorham - Jazz ContrastsKenny Dorham - Jazz Contrasts
  • Sonny Rollins - The Sound of SonnySonny Rollins - The Sound of Sonny
  • Thelonious Monk - Monk's MusicThelonious Monk - Monk's Music
  • Thelonious Monk - Mulligan Meets MonkThelonious Monk - Mulligan Meets Monk

1958

  • Various Artists - Blues For TomorrowVarious Artists - Blues For Tomorrow
  • Freddy Redd Trio - San Francisco Suite for Jazz TrioFreddy Redd Trio - San Francisco Suite for Jazz Trio
  • Wilbur Ware - The Chicago SoundWilbur Ware - The Chicago Sound
  • Benny Golson - The Modern TouchBenny Golson - The Modern Touch
  • Sonny Rollins - Freedom SuiteSonny Rollins - Freedom Suite
  • Johnny Griffin - Johnny Griffin SextetJohnny Griffin - Johnny Griffin Sextet
  • Clark Terry - Duke with a DifferenceClark Terry - Duke with a Difference
  • Thelonious Monk - Thelonious in ActionThelonious Monk - Thelonious in Action
  • Pepper Adams - 10 to 4 at the 5 SpotPepper Adams - 10 to 4 at the 5 Spot
  • Thelonious Monk Quartet - MisteriosoThelonious Monk Quartet - Misterioso
  • Max Roach - Deeds, Not WordsMax Roach - Deeds, Not Words

1959

  • Cannonball Adderley & Milt Jackson - Things Are Getting BetterCannonball Adderley & Milt Jackson - Things Are Getting Better
  • Wynton Kelly - Kelly BlueWynton Kelly - Kelly Blue
  • Johnny Griffin - The Little GiantJohnny Griffin - The Little Giant

1960

  • Wes Montgomery Trio - Wes Montgomery TrioWes Montgomery Trio - Wes Montgomery Trio
  • Bill Evans Trio - Portrait in JazzBill Evans Trio - Portrait in Jazz
  • Blue Mitchell - Blue's MoodsBlue Mitchell - Blue's Moods
  • Billy Taylor Trio - Warming UpBilly Taylor Trio - Warming Up
  • Cannonball Adderley Quintet - At the LighthouseCannonball Adderley Quintet - At the Lighthouse

1961

  • Paul Gonsalves - Gettin' TogetherPaul Gonsalves - Gettin' Together
  • George Shearing and The Montgomery BrothersGeorge Shearing and The Montgomery Brothers
  • Bill Evans Trio - ExplorationsBill Evans Trio - Explorations
  • Cannonball Adderley - African WaltzCannonball Adderley - African Waltz