Like many other enterprises that just sort of come into being, nagel heyer records, of Hamburg, Germany, was never planned. It all started on George Gershwin's birthday, September 26, 1992. We produced a jazz concert of Gershwin music, which was recorded live just to have a souvenir of the event. The recording was a great success thanks to the superb musicians who played on it: George Masso, Randy Sandke, Kenny Davern, Danny Moss, Eddie Higgins, Len Skeat, and Jake Hanna. Because of that seven live recordings of concerts in Hamburg followed in 1993.

Since then we have recorded over 200 titles and the label's mission is to present the finest in modern and mainstream jazz. nagel heyer's recent catalogue includes recordings by jazz greats such as Marc Copland, Wycliffe Gordon, Eric Reed, Greg Osby, Clark Terry, Donald Harrison, Bill Charlap, Terell Stafford, Harry Allen, Buck Clayton, Ralph Sutton, Howard Alden, Bob Wilber and Warren Vaché amongst others.

nagel heyer records aspires to become one of the most influential independent jazz labels of the future ("…it's not hard to say that nagel heyer are out-majoring the so-called 'majors'." Tim Dorset, Jazz Review), combining a healthy respect and high regard for jazz's glorious past with a vision that looks eagerly toward jazz's bright future.

Frank Nagel-Heyer, President/CEO of nagel heyer, himself observes "there is amazing amount of wonderful talent to be heard far and wide in the jazz world today. nagel heyer will continue to expose both established and emerging young artists." Marcus Printup, Wayne Escoffery, Dylan Cramer, Lyambiko, David Gibson, Roy Powell, Ken Peplowski, Denis Gaebel, and Byron Stripling are but some of the emerging artists signed to the label.

It is no coincidence that reviewers wrote about us:

"Followers of the nagel heyer label know what to expect from this high quality, amazingly consistent German firm - hot, live, combo-jam performances by some of the best swing-orientated jazzmen in the world today." Jack Sohmer, Jazz Times

"What's the difference between mainstream, then and now? If Concord sets the standard for this kind of album two decades back, then nagel heyer are flying the same flag even higher now." Richard Cook, Jazz Review

nagel heyer has a love affair with jazz. Each recording is a product of warmth, precision and meticulous attention to detail. Sound is mastered to perfection. Track selection and editing is a delicate and diligent collaboration of artist, engineer and producer. Both live and studio discs are available. That's why the German label has achieved a near legendary status amongst the critics and the International jazz public at large.

In Fall 2009 we have celebrated the 17th anniversary of nagel heyer records - and that is only the beginning…

nagel heyer records
Elbchaussee 232, 22605 Hamburg, Germany
Phone +49 40 880 989 29, Fax +49 40 880 990 29
www.nagelheyer.com, info@nagelheyer.com