Record and CD Labels

DECCA

information and images compiled by

Music Librarian CHRISTOPHER POPA

    It wouldn't be an exaggeration to state that almost every famous big band recorded at one time or another for Decca.

    Launched in the United States in October 1934, Decca quickly became one of the top three labels during the big band era, thanks to its roster of popular artists and retail price of 35 cents per record (compared to others' 75-cent cost).

    In the 1930s and '40s, orchestras under contract to Decca included The Dorsey Brothers (Jimmy Dorsey continued on Decca when the brothers split up), Louis Armstrong, Guy Lombardo, Bob Crosby, Jimmie Lunceford, Andy Kirk, Glen Gray, Count Basie, Chick Webb, Louis Jordan, Russ Morgan, Jan Savitt, Jerry Gray, Sy Oliver, and Sonny Burke.   

    MCA purchased the jazz label GRP around 1990 and initiated a "Decca Jazz" CD series on it the following year. 

DECCA FACTS + FIGURES:

STARTED IN U.S.   1934

PERSONNEL   Jack Kapp, President; Milt Gabler, a&r

ENDED   1973

DISPOSITION   now part of Universal Music Group, owned by

    Vivendi

SOURCES:

Dave Dexter Jr., "20 Once-Sizzling Acts In MCA Collectables

    LP Line," Billboard, June 19, 1982.

---, "MCA To Launch Midprice 'Old Music' Album Series,"

    Billboard, May 1, 1982.

Harvey Geller, "The Untold Legend of Decca Joe Perry,"

    Circular, vol.5 number 4 / Jan. 29, 1973, pp.2-4.

"Jazz: 10 MCA Jazz Heritage Albums Due," Billboard, Jan. 9,

    1982.

Peter Keepnews, "MCA To Upgrade CD Conversion: Vintage

    Jazz Recordings Will Be Used," Billboard, Sept. 20, 1986,

    p.6+.

"More Old Gems Reissued In MCA 'Heritage' Series,"

    Billboard, Nov. 12, 1983.

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    A few big bands joined Decca late in the game. 

    Following Decca's signing of Artie Shaw and Tommy Dorsey in 1949 and 1950, respectively, the action was likened to buying a Christmas tree on December 26th.

    However, as the 1950s went on, Decca successfully released LP after LP by such sweet bands as Lombardo, Jan Garber, Wayne King, Sammy Kaye, and Carmen Cavallaro.

    Decca became a subsidiary of MCA in 1962.

    The name Decca was dropped in 1973, in favor of MCA Records.

    Reissue programs included the "Decca Jazz Heritage Series" in the late 1960s (revived in the early '80s with additional titles produced for the French market); the MCA "Twofer" sets in the mid-'70s, which brought back into print some two dozen big bands; and the MCA "Collectibles" series in 1982-83.    

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a 1947 advertisement