"If It's a Hit, It's OKeh"

Okeh Records, a historic race music label, is being revived by Sony as a jazz label. The new Okeh will be overseen by Wulf Muller and Chuck Mitchell, and will feature only new jazz CDs. Their slogan will be “global expressions in jazz.” The first release, scheduled for April 9, will be A Different Time by pianist John Medeski. The second, as yet untitled, will be by David Sanborn and Bob James. Also signed are Bill Frisell and Dhafer Youssef.

Okeh (pronounced “O.K.”) was founded in 1918 by German immigrant Otto K. E. Heinemann. The name comes from his initials. It started as an all-purpose label, but had a surprise hit in 1920 with Mamie Smith's “Crazy Blues,” considered by many to be the first blues recording.

After that, they concentrated on race music—music by and for African-Americans, namely jazz and blues—under the direction of Clarence Williams. Featured artists included King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet, Duke Ellington, Mississippi John Hurt, Blind Lemon Jefferson and Lonnie Johnson. The label was discontinued in 1933.

Okeh was successfully revived in 1949 as a rhythm and blues label, featuring artists such as Chuck Willis, the Ravens, the Treniers, Big Maybelle, and this man, Jalacy (“Screamin' Jay”) Hawkins. 

The tenor sax solo was by Sam "The Man" Taylor.  A long out-of-print three CD set, The Okeh Rhythm and Blues Story, 1949-1957, is well worth seeking out.

As rhythm and blues changed, Okeh morphed into a Chicago-style “soft soul” label in the early '60s, under the direction of Carl Davis, with many of the songs written by Curtis Mayfield. Artists included Walter Jackson, Major Lance, Ted Taylor, Larry Williams and Johnny “Guitar” Watson. The well dried up when Davis moved to Brunswick, where he was even more successful.

Okeh was briefly revived as a blues label in the '90s. It has been used intermittently for reissues.