“Seventy years is a long time.

Seventy years before the late Bob Koester founded Delmar (later Delmark) Records while a college student in St. Louis, Buffalo Bill’s travelling Wild West Show debuted, Chester A. Arthur was president, Thomas Edison brought electric light to Roselle, NJ for the first time, and “Black Bart” was in the news for another stagecoach robbery.

When Koester released his first record in 1953, many of the now-iconic figures in blues and jazz were still every day working musicians… Delmark is the oldest independent jazz and blues record label in the world, boasting a catalog bulging with over twelve thousand recordings by a virtual who’s who of jazz and blues.

Although Koester retired in 2018, under the leadership of President/CEO, Julia A. Miller, and Artistic Director Elbio Barilari, Delmark has released over 30 thirty albums in five years, has made digitally available over twelve thousand songs and continues its mission of seeking out and documenting new talent.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary, here are some of the finest tracks from the Delmark blues music vaults.” (From the liner notes by Scott Dirks)

Shaun’s celebrating the Delmark birthday party this week by featuring this wonderful collection of songs by the giants of the blues. Featuring Junior Wells, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Little Walter Jimmy Dawkins and more.

Plus new releases from Ben Harper, the Nick Moss Band feat. Denis Gruenling, Alabama Mike, Deb Callahan, Checkerboard Lounge and DK Harrel.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.