Aristocrat Records
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | April 1947 |
| Founder | Charles Aron, Evelyn Aron, Fred Brount, Mildred Brount, Art Spiegel |
| Defunct | January 1951 |
| Fate | Renamed Chess Records |
Key people | Leonard Chess, Phil Chess |
| Products | Blues and jazz music recordings |
Aristocrat Records was an American label focused on blues and jazz music, established in April 1947 by Charles and Evelyn Aron along with partners Fred and Mildred Brount and Art Spiegel. By September of the same year, Leonard Chess became an investor in the company, eventually obtaining full ownership together with Evelyn Aron by 1948. In early 1950, Leonard and his brother Phil Chess assumed complete control and renamed the label Chess Records in June 1950. The Aristocrat brand ceased operations officially in January 1951.
Throughout its brief existence of three years, Aristocrat issued 183 tracks and recorded an additional 18 songs that were later released under Chess Records. A significant milestone occurred on August 27, 1947, when Muddy Waters recorded his initial sessions for Aristocrat, resulting in the single "Gypsy Woman" b/w "Little Anna Mae," featuring bassist Ernest "Big" Crawford and pianist Sunnyland Slim. A subsequent single released in December 1947, "I Can't Be Satisfied" b/w "Feel Like Goin' Home," enjoyed modest commercial recognition.
See also
External links
- The Chess Story
- Aristocrat Records at the Internet Archive's Great 78 Project