Swing Time

Swing Time Records was a United States record label founded in Los Angeles by Jack Lauderdale. It began operations in 1947 under the name Down Beat Records, changed to Swing Beat Records around October 1949, and adopted the Swing Time name around March 1950. The label was active during a formative period for postwar rhythm and blues, when independent companies were increasingly important outlets for Black artists, regional blues performers, jazz musicians, gospel groups, and emerging crossover talent. Lauderdale's business was built through a combination of original recording, artist signings, master leasing, catalog purchases, and reissues. Among the earliest recording projects was a late-1946 session by the Lucky Thompson Quartet with pianist Dodo Marmarosa, from which three discs were issued in 1947. Felix Gross and His Sextet became another early signing, with eight releases appearing between 1947 and 1949. Lauderdale also obtained and reissued recordings from outside labels and producers, including three Five Soul Stirrers releases leased from Bronze Records and a substantial group of Lowell Fulson recordings associated with Bob Geddins's Big Town, Down Town, and Cava-Tone labels and with the Trilon label. The label's catalog expanded considerably in 1950. Lauderdale purchased the masters of the Charles Brown-led Johnny Moore's Three Blazers from Leon René's Exclusive Records, as well as recordings by Brown's former wife, Mabel Scott. He also acquired the defunct Supreme Records label from Al Patrick and used its material for reissues and releases by performers including Jimmy Witherspoon with Jay McShann's band, Paula Watson, Percy Mayfield, Floyd Dixon, Sister Emily Bram, the Stars of Harmony, and Maxwell Davis's band featuring Marshal Royal. This strategy gave Swing Time access to established recordings while allowing it to maintain a broad and commercially flexible catalog. Swing Time also served as an early recording outlet for musicians who later became highly significant in rhythm and blues and popular music. Ray Charles recorded for the label as part of the Maxin or Maxim Trio, while Percy Mayfield and Lowell Fulson were among the notable artists connected with its catalog. Lloyd Glenn joined as a pianist, house-band leader, session arranger, and A&R figure, helping connect the label's recording operations with West Coast jazz and blues musicians. The label additionally recorded Pete Johnson's band with Big Joe Turner, Dexter Gordon's quintet with Wardell Gray, and bassist-songwriter Shifty Henry. Late projects included Play Boy Thomas in 1953 and the Hollywood Flames, featuring Bobby Byrd, whose release appeared in 1954. Swing Time's principal numbering sequence ran from number 100 in 1947 through number 347 in 1954, and some recordings appeared under more than one of the Down Beat, Swing Beat, and Swing Time names. Lauderdale established the Flame subsidiary in late 1952, using a separate numbering sequence from 1001 through 1009. The company went bankrupt in 1953, although singles continued to be released as late as February 1954. Some Swing Time recordings, including holiday releases, were later placed under permanent lease to Hollywood Records. The label is now remembered primarily for documenting a significant West Coast rhythm-and-blues and jazz repertory and for its early associations with artists such as Ray Charles, Lowell Fulson, Percy Mayfield, and Charles Brown.

Swing Time Records emerged from Jack Lauderdale's independent recording activities in Los Angeles. Lauderdale began recording the Lucky Thompson Quartet with Dodo Marmarosa in late 1946, and three resulting discs were issued in 1947. The business was initially known as Down Beat Records. Its early catalog also included Felix Gross and His Sextet, whose releases extended from 1947 into 1949, as well as material obtained from other producers and labels. Rather than relying solely on newly recorded sessions, Lauderdale used leasing, purchasing, and reissue arrangements to build the catalog. He leased recordings by the Five Soul Stirrers from Bronze Records and obtained Lowell Fulson masters connected with Bob Geddins's West Coast labels and the Trilon label. He also acquired Jimmy McCracklin recordings from Trilon. This approach enabled the company to compete with a larger repertory than its own studio output might otherwise have supported. The company's name changed twice as its catalog developed. It became Swing Beat Records around October 1949 and Swing Time Records around March 1950. The 1950 period was particularly important. Lauderdale purchased the masters of Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, the group associated with singer and pianist Charles Brown, from Leon René's Exclusive Records. He also bought masters by Mabel Scott and acquired Al Patrick's defunct Supreme Records. The Supreme material supported releases and reissues by Jimmy Witherspoon with Jay McShann's band, Paula Watson, Percy Mayfield, Floyd Dixon with Eddie Williams's trio, Sister Emily Bram, the Stars of Harmony, and Maxwell Davis's band featuring Marshal Royal. Swing Time's identity was shaped by its connections to musicians working across blues, jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues. Lloyd Glenn served not only as a recording artist but also as house-band leader, session arranger, and A&R participant. The label recorded or issued work by Pete Johnson's band with Big Joe Turner, the Maxin or Maxim Trio with Ray Charles, Dexter Gordon's quintet with Wardell Gray, and songwriter and bassist Shifty Henry. These activities placed the label within the Los Angeles independent-record ecosystem that helped document the transition from swing and big-band traditions toward modern rhythm and blues. The label continued adding artists late in its life. Play Boy Thomas recorded and released two discs in 1953, while the Hollywood Flames, featuring Bobby Byrd, had a release in 1954. The main Down Beat, Swing Beat, and Swing Time numbering sequence began at number 100 in 1947 and reached number 347 in 1954. Catalog labeling can therefore vary, with some records appearing under more than one company name. Lauderdale also created Flame Records in late 1952; that subsidiary used numbers from 1001 to 1009. Swing Time entered bankruptcy in 1953, but releases continued through approximately February 1954. The label's subsequent catalog history included permanent leasing of some recordings, including holiday singles, to Hollywood Records. Although short-lived, Swing Time left a substantial historical footprint through early recordings and releases associated with Ray Charles, Lowell Fulson, Percy Mayfield, Charles Brown, and other important performers.

• 1954

  Final documented releases

  [1]Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The catalog numbering reached approximately 347, and releases continued as late as February, including a Hollywood Flames single.

• 1953

  Bankruptcy

  [1]Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The company became bankrupt, though releases continued into the following year.

• 1952

  Flame Records subsidiary launched

  [1]Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Swing Time introduced the Flame subsidiary, whose catalog used a 1001–1009 numbering range.

• 1950

  Name changes to Swing Time Records

  [1]Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Around March 1950, the label began operating under the Swing Time name.

• 1950

  Major catalog acquisitions

  [1]Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Lauderdale purchased the Johnny Moore's Three Blazers and Mabel Scott masters and acquired the Supreme Records label and associated repertory.

• 1949

  Name changes to Swing Beat Records

  [1]Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The company adopted the Swing Beat name around October 1949.

• 1947

  Down Beat Records begins issuing records

  [1]Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The label began operations under the Down Beat Records name and issued its first discs, including Lucky Thompson and Felix Gross material.

• 1946

  Initial Lucky Thompson session

  [1]Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Jack Lauderdale recorded the Lucky Thompson Quartet with Dodo Marmarosa in late 1946, providing the foundation for the label's first releases.

An independent Los Angeles label combining original sessions with leased, purchased, and reissued masters across rhythm and blues, blues, jazz, gospel, and swing.

• Recorded music · 1947

  Swing Time 78 rpm singles

  The label's principal products were shellac 78 rpm singles issued in the Down Beat, Swing Beat, and Swing Time periods. The catalog covered blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, gospel, and swing-related performances. Its principal numbering sequence ran from number 100 in 1947 through number 347 in 1954, and identical or related recordings may appear with different label names.

• Catalog reissues · 1947

  Swing Time reissues and leased masters

  A substantial part of the company's offering came from recordings leased from other labels, purchased from producers, or acquired through catalog transactions. This included material associated with Lowell Fulson, the Five Soul Stirrers, Jimmy McCracklin, Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, Mabel Scott, Jimmy Witherspoon, Percy Mayfield, and other artists.

• Subsidiary record label · 1952

  Flame Records releases

  Flame Records was a subsidiary introduced by Lauderdale in late 1952. It used its own numbering system, running from 1001 through 1009, and formed part of Swing Time's late-period label structure.

• 1952

  Launch Flame RecordsStrategy

  Background

  Swing Time was continuing to issue material while managing a growing and varied catalog.

  Action taken

  Lauderdale established Flame Records as a subsidiary in late 1952, assigning it a separate catalog sequence.

  Aftermath

  Flame releases were numbered from 1001 through 1009, but the wider Swing Time operation entered bankruptcy in 1953.

  Source

• 1950

  Adopt the Swing Time nameStrategy

  Background

  The label had developed from a small Down Beat operation into a broader independent catalog spanning blues, jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues.

  Action taken

  Around March 1950, the company changed its name from Swing Beat Records to Swing Time Records.

  Aftermath

  Later releases and catalog references commonly used the Swing Time name, while earlier records remained associated with Down Beat or Swing Beat.

  Source

• 1950

  Acquire major masters and the Supreme catalogM&A

  Background

  Lauderdale sought to enlarge Swing Time's commercial repertory through ownership and control of established recordings.

  Action taken

  He purchased the Johnny Moore's Three Blazers masters from Exclusive Records, acquired Mabel Scott masters, and bought Al Patrick's defunct Supreme Records label.

  Aftermath

  The acquisitions supplied Swing Time with additional releases and reissues by established blues, jazz, gospel, and rhythm-and-blues performers.

  Source

• 1949

  Change the label name to Swing BeatStrategy

  Background

  The company had operated as Down Beat Records since its launch in 1947 and was expanding its catalog through both recordings and outside masters.

  Action taken

  Around October 1949, Lauderdale changed the operating name to Swing Beat Records.

  Aftermath

  The Swing Beat identity was temporary; the company adopted the Swing Time name approximately five months later.

  Source

1. 1Swing Time Recordsen.wikipedia.org