Contemporary Records

About

Contemporary Records was an American jazz record label founded in the early 1950s, based in Los Angeles. The label established itself as an important outlet for West Coast jazz, with a particular focus on small group recordings and innovative instrumental work. Contemporary's roster included prominent jazz musicians such as drummer Shelly Manne, pianist Hampton Hawes, and bassist Howard Rumsey, whose Lighthouse All-Stars became closely associated with the label. The label demonstrated a commitment to avant-garde jazz by releasing recordings that featured emerging compositional approaches, notably including an album dedicated to the music of Ornette Coleman. Contemporary Records operated primarily during the 1950s and early 1960s, releasing material on vinyl LP format. The label's significance lies in its role as a documented source of West Coast jazz evolution during a pivotal period in the genre's development, capturing both established performers and experimental directions that would influence jazz's future trajectory.