The theme for this years Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) is to celebrate the relationship between jazz and justice by looking beyond the music to the dynamic ways jazz has played a transformative role in social justice, musician's rights, and equality since its birth in America.
For the first time in its history, JAM puts the spotlight on "one of the most influential nonmusicians in jazz history," producer, record label founder, and concert promoter Norman Granz (born August 6, 1918; died November 22, 2001), who is equally recognized for his pioneering efforts in bringing jazz to the people and his staunch activism for civil rights and equality. 
Ella Fitzgerald(center) and Norman Granz (right)
Here are five things about the American jazz impresario to honor his lasting influence in the music industry.
Founder and producer of the phenomenal Jazz at the Philharmonic (JATP) concert series
The first JATP concert was held at the Philharmonic Auditorium in Los Angeles on July 2, 1944 on a $300 loan and became a phenomenal success until the end of its run in 1983. Nat King Cole,Lester Young, and Les Paul were among the performers.
Granz organized tours in the US, Canada, and across Europe. Live recordings of the concert were sold and leased, which resulted in better pay for the musicians and introduced many styles of music like swing and bop to a vigorous audience. These records continued to sell for generations.
In 2010, the Jazz at the Philharmonic recordings were selected by the Library of Congress as an addition to the National Recording Registry.
Record label founder
Granz founded several record labels, including Clef Records in 1946 and Norgran Records in 1953. He also signed with Mercury Records for the promotion and distribution of early recordings of JATP and his other two labels.
After the success of JATP, he founded Verve Records in 1955, which went on to become the largest jazz catalogue in the world, including the recordings of the most celebrated jazz artists, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone,Stan Getz and Billie Holiday. He subsequently sold Verve to MGM in 1960.
In 1974, he formed Pablo Records, named after Picasso.
One of the most influential jazz producers of the 20th century
One of Granz's legendary efforts in music production was his cultivation of the jam-session format, which brought the era's biggest stars together. He was also responsible for producing The Jazz Scene, one of the first jazz boxed sets and highlights the cross-section of modern jazz.
He also produced Ella Fitzgerald's Songbook series and the Cole Porter Songbook, which puts the focus on the former's vocal talent and the latter's range as a composer. Other significant and notable records he produced were Bird with Strings,one of Charlie Parker's most popular recordings.
Advocate for musicians rights, social justice, and equality
Norman Granz was a tireless advocate for civil rights and equality, which fundamentally affected many of his black musicians.He fought against segregation in his shows, as well as in hotels and casinos where his musicians perform.
He also strived to push for pay equality, paying his white and black artists the same salary and ensured his artists are not discriminated and are afforded the same treatment on or off stage.
A lifetime passion for jazz
Granz's interest and passion for jazz began early. After serving in the US army air corps during World War II, he worked at MGM as a film editor and met music people. He also became friends with Lee Young, the younger brother of saxophonist Lester Young, who helped him gain entrance in jam sessions. It sparked the idea of promoting jazz musicians, who at the time, were only playing in small clubs with little to no promotion.
Since his vast and widely successful work as a concert promoter for JATP and producer of countless records that relegated jazz musicians in the same treatment as pop musicians at the time, Granz also worked in and out of studio, championing artistic expression and performance and advancing important causes that affect musicians livelihoods and also their rights. His advocacies made it possible to integrate audiences, in his belief that Jazz is Americas own. It is played and listened to by all peoples in harmony together. Pigmentation differences have no place as in genuine democracy, only performance counts.
Live Music Tutor offers music production tutorials.Start your music journey or finesse your skills anywhere, anytime! Head to www.livemusictutor.com and www.livemusictutorinschools.com to learn more.
Who Is Norman Granz?
