The best of the VEE JAY jazz catalogue · Special Collector's Edition

Vee-Jay was founded in Gary, Indiana, in 1953 by Vivian Carter and James Bracken, a husband-and-wife team who used their initials for the label’s name. Vivian's brother, Calvin Carter, was the label's A&R man. Ewart Abner, formerly of Chance Records, joined the label in 1955, first as manager, then as vice president, and ultimately as president. Vee-Jay quickly became a major R&B label, with the first song recorded making it to the top ten on the national R&B charts. Major acts on the label in the 50s included blues singers Jimmy Reed, Memphis Slim, and John Lee Hooker, and vocal groups the Dells, and El Dorados.

Vee-Jay's jazz line accounted for a small portion of the company's releases, but recorded such artists as Wynton Kelly, Lee Morgan, Eddie Harris, and Wayne Shorter. Under the supervision of Sid McCoy. The company also had a major gospel line, recording such acts as the Staple Singers, The Caravans and The Gospel Harmonettes. The 60s saw the label become a major soul label with Jerry Butler, Gene Chandler, Dee Clark, and Betty Everett putting records on both the R&B and pop charts. Vee-Jay had significant success with pop/rock and roll acts, notably The Four Seasons (their first non-African American act) and the Beatles. Vee-Jay acquired the rights to some of the early Beatles recordings in a licensing deal with EMI.

At last the legendary Vee Jay jazz recordings are being released on CD with the best possible sound. During recent years these classic albums have appeared on CD in different countries, compilations that mixed Mono and Stereo masters, with errors in the titles and a variable sound. Now, this present edition has been carefully chosen from the best sources, and each track has been digitally remastered in 24-Bit High Resolution including bonus tracks when it's possible. These CDs represent a real treasure for jazz fans all over the world, and we feel certain that they will enjoy them.