On Internet since 1999

The Birka Jazz Archive
Records we have bought and sold over the years - the rare and the beautiful!

Please note!
Birka Jazz record store is closed but Birka Jazz Archive is still available. Scroll down and use the links to browse this comprehensive archive of rare jazz album covers

AMERICAN LABELS

COLUMBIA RECORDS
The pioneers of album cover design

CLEF, NORGRAN, VERVE (1)
David Stone Martin

CLEF, NORGRAN, VERVE (2)
The photographic covers

BLUE NOTE 10" LPs
Searching for a modern jazz identity

BLUE NOTE 1500 series
Defining the hard bop style

BLUE NOTE 4000 series
Masterpieces of Reid Miles

PRESTIGE RECORDS
Images of East Coast jazz

RIVERSIDE RECORDS
Street cred with Thelonious Monk

PACIFIC JAZZ
Moods of Chet and Claxton

CONTEMPORARY
Cool West Coast, great Sound

SAVOY RECORDS
Masterworks by Charlie Parker

DIAL RECORDS
Small label, big Bird sound

ATLANTIC RECORDS
Bold and striking albums

EMARCY RECORDS
The classic drummer logo label

BETHLEHEM RECORDS
The beautiful design of Burt Goldblatt

DEBUT RECORDS
Artist-operated jazz label with Mingus & Roach

CANDID RECORDS
Legendary, early 1960s LPs

ESP-DISK
Free jazz and silk screened covers

IMPULSE RECORDS
Edgy, experimental, deluxe

RCA VICTOR
The high spirit of Jim Flora

VARIOUS US labels (1)
ABC-Paramount, Aladdin, Argo, Capitol, Coral, Dawn, Decca,
and more

VARIOUS US labels (2)
Epic, Fantasy, HiFi, Imperial, Jazzland, Jazz West, Jubilee, Mercury, Mode, and more

VARIOUS US labels (3)
Roost, Signal, Storyville, Tampa, Transition, United Artists, Vee Jay, and more

EUROPEAN LABELS

SWEDEN (1)
The EP era and Metronome Records in 1950s

SWEDEN (2)
The LPs in the 1950s, and Swedish jazz abroad

SWEDEN (3)
Changing times in the 1960s

SWEDEN (4)
New energy to Swedish jazz in the 1970s

DENMARK
Montmartre, Debut Records and the heydays in Danish jazz

NORWAY
Krog and Garbarek, greats in Norwegian jazz

FINLAND
Plenty of merged styles in Finnish jazz

FRANCE
Americans in Paris, force in French jazz

ENGLAND
Esquire and Tempo, classic labels in British jazz

GERMANY
Jazz labels with strong identity

ITALY
Rare Italian jazz covers

HOLLAND
From Diamonds to ICP in
Dutch jazz

POLAND
Unique series of Polish jazz on Muza

OTHER COUNTRIES
Jazz labels around the world

CLEF, NORGRAN, VERVE

The photo-
graphic covers

The album covers on the Norman Granz labels are most remembered for the illustrations of David Stone Martin. But Granz also had an eye for photography, and a great deal of the covers are memorable for their fine images of photographers like Herman Leonard, Phil Stern and others.

These covers are shown on this page, while the covers of David Stone Martin can be found at the previous page.

NORMAN GRANZ was a legendary producer who played a major role in the history of jazz. He instituted the famous Jazz At The Philharmonic concerts, launched and ran four record labels and managed the careers of two of the greatest in jazz - Ella Fitzgerald and Oscar Peterson.

Norman Granz established his first record label CLEF in Los Angeles 1946, and lanuched a second label, NORGRAN, in 1953. Then Norman Granz combined the two labels into VERVE in 1956.

Clef issued almost a hundred jazz 10" LPs in the first half of the 1950s. Many of them were also issued on the Mercury label. Clef continued to issue about 165 LPs in the 12" format, some were reiusses of the 10".

Norgran label with trumpeter logo

Norgran issued about 30 LPs in the 10" format and about 100 in the 12" format, and Verve finally issued more than 700 LPs into the early 1970s.

Norman Grantz sold Verve to MGM in 1961. The label continued to produce jazz during the 1960s and early 1970s. Norman Granz returned to the record business in 1973 when he launched Pablo Records. He died in 2001.

Verve label with trumpeter logo

HERMAN LEONARD is one of the great photographer in jazz. He had his studio in Greenwich Village in New York and later in Paris. His photographs are on numerous LP albums, especially on the Norman Grantz labels, the EmArcy label and the French label Barclay.

PHIL STERN was born in New York 1919. After a two-year stint as a combat photographer in World War II, covering the invasions of North Africa and Sicily, he moved to Los Angeles and began to cover Hollywood films and celebrities for magazines such as Life, Look and Colliers.

The 1950s began to see a surge of interest in the private lives of movie stars. His ability to capture people being themselves make him great as photographer. During this time, he also shot jazz album covers for the Norman Granz labels. Those pictures are among the best from the 1950s jazz scene.

Herman Leonard, photo

Herman Leonard in the 1940s

Norman Granz, photo

Norman Granz in 1947

Count Basie and Lester Young This picture of Lester Young and Count Basie is one of another 30 great b/w photos that are included in the beautiful 78 rpm album (six records) that Norman Granz produced and issued in 1949. It was distributed by Mercury and entitled The Jazz Scene. The album is spiral bound
into a portfolio book, and the cover is plain black. So this photo will better tell about it.
The photographer is Gjon Mili.

Clef, Norgran & Verve

Stan Getz, Clef 143 The Artistry of Stan Getz Label: Clef 143 10" LP 1953 Photo: Phil Stern

Flip Phillips, Clef 158 Flip Phillips: Jumping Moods Label: Clef 158 10" LP 1954

Johnny Hodges, Norgran 1 Swing with Johnny Hodges Label: Norgran 1 10" LP 1954

Charlie Ventura, Norgran 8 Charlie Ventura Quartet Label: Norgran 8 10" LP 1954

Benny Carter, Norgran 10 Benny Carter: The Urbane Mr. Carter Label: Norgran 10 10" LP 1954

Don Byas, Norgran 12 Don Byas et ses rythmes Label: Norgran 12 10" LP 1954

Dizzy Gillespie and Stan Getz, Norgran 18 Dizzy Gillespie - Stan Getz Sextet, vol. 2 Label: Norgran 18 10" LP 1954

Charlie Ventura, Norgran 20 An Evening with Ch. Ventura & Mary Ann McCall Label: Norgran 20 10" LP 1954

Benny Carter, Norgran 21 The Formidable Benny Carter Label: Norgran 21 10" LP 1954 Photo: Phil Stern

George Wallington trio, Norgran 24 The Workshop of George Wallington Trio Label: Norgran 24 10" LP 1954

Stan Getz, Norgran 1000 Stan Getz: Interpretations, vol. 1 Label: Norgran 1000 12" LP 1954

Kenny Drew, Norgran 1002 The Modernity of Kenny Drew Label: Norgran 1002 12" LP 1954

Johnny Hodges, Norgran 1004 Johnny Hodges: Memories of Ellington Label: Norgran 1004 12" LP 1954

Stan Getz, Norgran 1008 Stan Getz: Interpretations, vol. 2 Label: Norgran 1008 12" LP 1954

Johnny Hodges, Norgran 1009 More of Johnny Hodges Label: Norgran 1009 12" LP 1954

George Wallington, Norgran 1010 George Wallington with Strings Label: Norgran 1010 12" LP 1954

Louis Bellson and Zoot Sims Louis Bellson Quintet with Zoot Sims Label: Norgran 1011 12" LP 1954

Illinois Jacquet, Clef 622 Illinois Jacquet: Jazz Moods Label: Clef 622 12" LP 1954

Lionel Hampton, Clef 628 Lionel Hampton Quintet Label: Clef 628 12" LP 1954

Count Basie Jazz, Clef 633 Count Basie: Basie Jazz Label: Clef 633 12" LP 1954 Photo: Phil Stern

Flip Phillips, Clef 637 The Flip Phillips Quintet Label: Clef 637 12" LP 1954

Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie, Clef 641 Roy Eldridge - Dizzy Gillespie: Roy and Diz, vol.1 Label: Clef 641 12" LP 1954
Photo: Phil Stern

Gene Krupa - Lionel Hampton - Teddy Wilson Label: Clef 681 12" LP 1955
Photo: Phil Stern

Roy Eldridge, Clef 683 Roy Eldridge: Little Jazz Label: Clef 683 12" LP 1955

Buddy De Franco, Norgran 1012 The Artistry of Buddy De Franco Label: Norgran 1012 12" LP 1955

Tal Farlow, Norgran 1014 The Artistry of Tal Farlow Label: Norgran 1014 12" LP 1955

Bud Powell, Norgran 1017 Bud Powell: Jazz Original Label: Norgran 1017 12" LP 1955 Photo: Herman Leonard

Johnny Hodges, Norgran 1048 Johnny Hodges: Castle Rock Label: Norgran 1048 12" LP 1955

Johnny Hodges, Norgran 1056 Johnny Hodges: Ellingtonia 56 Label: Norgran 1055 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Lester Young, Norgran 1071 Lester Young: Lester's Here Label: Norgran 1071 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Lionel Hampton, Norgran 1080 Lionel Hampton and his Giants Label: Norgran 1080 12" LP 1956 Photo: Phil Stern

Dizzy Gillespie, Norgran 1084 Dizzy Gillespie: World Statesman Label: Norgran 1084 12" LP 1956
Photo: Herman Leonard

Buddy Rich, Norgran 1086 Buddy Rich: This One´s for Basie Label: Norgran 1086 12" LP 1956 Photo: Phil Stern

Stan Getz, Norgran 1088 Stan Getz: More West Coast Jazz Label: Norgran 1088 12" LP 1956
Photo: Herman Leonard

Stan Getz, Norgran 1098 Bud Powell '57 Label: Norgran 1098 12" LP 1956
Photo: Herman Leonard

Billie Holiday, Clef 690 Billie Holiday: Solitude Label: Clef 690 12" LP 1956 Photo: Alex de Paula

Oscar Peterson, Clef 694 Recital by Oscar Peterson Label: Clef 694 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Roy Eldridge, Clef 704 Roy Eldridge: Rockin' Chair Label: Clef 704 12" LP 1956 Photo: Alex de Paula

Roy Eldridge, Clef 705 Roy Eldridge: Dale´s Wail Label: Clef 705 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Billie Holiday, Clef 713 Billie Holiday: Velvet Mood Label: Clef 713 12" LP 1956 Photo: Alex de Paula

Harry Edison, Clef 717 Harry Edison: Sweets Label: Clef 717 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Billie Holiday, Clef 721 Billie Holiday: Lady Sings the Blues Label: Clef 721 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Lionel Hampton, Clef 727 Lionel Hampton: Air Mail Special Label: Clef 727 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Roy Eldridge and Dizzy Gillespie, Clef 731 Roy Eldridge - Dizzy Gillespie: The Trumpet Kings Label: Clef 731 12" LP 1956

Bob Brookmeyer, Clef 732 The Modernity of Bob Brookmeyer Label: Clef 732 12" LP 1956 Photo: Phil Stern

Lionel Hampton, Clef 735 Lionel Hampton: Flying Home Label: Clef 735 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Lionel Hampton, Clef 738 Lionel Hampton: Hamp! Label: Clef 738 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Anita O'Day, Verve 2000 Anita O´Day: Anita Label: Verve 2000 12" LP 1956 Photo: Alex de Paula

Oscar Peterson, Verve 2002 Oscar Peterson: In a Romantic Mood Label: Verve 2002 12" LP 1956 Photo: Alex de Paula

Gene Krupa, Verve 2008 Gene Krupa: Drummer Man Label: Verve 2008 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Blossom Dearie, Verve 2937 Blossom Dearie Label: Verve 2037 12" LP 1956 Photo: Charles Stewart

Al Hibbler, Verve 4000 Al Hibbler Sings Love Songs Label: Verve 4000 12" LP 1956 Photo: Alex De Paula

Ella Fitzgerald, Verve 4002 Ella sings the Rodgers and Hart Song Book Label: Verve 4002-2 12" LP 1956
Photo: Herman Leonard

Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong, Verve 4003 Ella Fitzgerald - Louis Armstrong Label: Verve 4003 12" LP 1956 Photo: Phil Stern

Charlie Parker, Verve 8004 Charlie Parker: April in Paris Label: Verve 8004 12" LP 1956 Photo: Herman Leonard

Anita O'Day, Verve 2043 Anita O´Day: Pick Yourself Up Label: Verve 2043 12" LP 1957 Photo: Herman Leonard

Charlie Parker, Verve 8007 Charlie Parker plays Cole Porter Label: Verve 8007 12" LP 1957 Design: Sheldon Marks

Ben Webster: King of the Tenors Label: Verve 8020 12" LP 1957
Photo: Phil Stern

Ray Brown, Verve 8022 Ray Brown: Bass Hit! Label: Verve 8022 12" LP 1957 Photo: Herman Leonard

Illinois Jacquet, Verve 8023 Illinois Jacquet Swing´s the Thing Label: Verve 8023 12" LP 1957

Art Tatum - Lionel Hampton - Buddy Rich Label: Verve 8093 12" LP 1957
Photo: Phil Stern

Lester Young, Verve 8187 Lester Young: It Don´t Mean A Thing Label: Verve 8187 12" LP 1957
Photo: Herman Leonard

Billie Holiday, Verve 8197 Billie Holiday: Body and Soul Label: Verve 8197 12" LP 1957
Photo: Howard Moorehead

Dizzy Gillespie, Verve 8198 Dizzy Gillespie - Stan Getz - Sonny Stitt: For Musicians Only Label: Verve 8198 12" LP 1957 Design: Sheldon Marks

Lester Young - Teddy Wilson, Verve 8205 Lester Young - Teddy Wilson: Pres and Teddy Label: Verve 8205 12" LP 1957
Photo: Herman Leonard

Bud Powell, Verve 8218 Bud Powell: Blues In The Closet Label: Verve 8218 12" LP 1957
Photo: Phil March

Sonny Stitt: New York Jazz, Verve 8219 Sonny Stitt: New York Jazz Label: Verve 8219 12" LP 1957
Design: John D'Emilio Photo: Chuck Stewart

Art Tatum and Ben Webster, Verve 8220 The Art Taum - Ben Webster Quartet Label: Verve 8220 12" LP 1958
Design: Gould Associates

Dizzy Gillespie, Verve 8242 Dizzy Gillespie at Newport Label: Verve 8242 12" LP 1958
Photo: Burt Goldblatt

Gerry Mulligan and Paul Desmond, Verve 8246 Gerry Mulligan - Paul Desmond Quartet Label: Verve 8246 12" LP 1958
Photo: Burt Goldblatt

Stan Getz meets Gerry Mulligan, Verve 8249 Getz meets Mulligan in Hi-Fi Label: Verve 8249 12" LP 1958
Design: John D´Emilio Photo: Phil Stern

Sonny Stitt: Only The Blues, Verve 8250 Sonny Stitt: Only The Blues Label: Verve 8250 12" LP 1958
Photo: Phil Stern

Dizzy Gillespie, Verve 8260 Dizzy Gillespie Duets Label: Verve 8260 12" LP 1958 Photo: Burt Goldblatt

Coleman Hawkins, Verve 8261 The Genius of Coleman Hawkins Label: Verve 8261 12" LP 1958 Photo: Phil Stern

Dizzy Gillespie, Verve 8262 Dizzy Gillespie: Sonny Side Up Label: Verve 8262 12" LP 1958
Photo: Burt Goldblatt

Stan Getz, Verve 8265 Stan Getz and J.J. Johnson at the Opera House Label: Verve 8265 12" LP 1958
Photo: Burt Goldblatt

Teddy Wilson, Verve 8272 Teddy Wilson: The Impeccable Mr. Wilson Label: Verve 8272 12" LP 1958
Photo: Burt Goldblatt

Ben Webster, Verve 8274 Ben Webster: Soulville Label: Verve 8274 12" LP 1958 Photo: Phil Stern

Lee Konitz, Verve 8281 Lee Konitz: Tranquility Label: Verve 8281 12" LP 1958 Photo: Ken Whitmore

Bud Powell, Verve 8301 Bud Powell: The Lonely One Label: Verve 8301 12" LP 1959
Photo: Howard Morehead

Sonny Stitt, Verve 8306 Sonny Stitt: The Hard Swing Label: Verve 8306 12" LP 1959
Design: Norman Gollin Photo: Tommy Mitchell

Herb Ellis, Verve 8311 Herb Ellis meets Jimmy Giuffre Label: Verve 8311 12" LP 1959
Photo: Bill Rotsler

Dizzy Gillespie, Verve 8313 Dizzy Gillespie: Have Trumpet, Will Excite Label: Verve 8313 12" LP 1959
Photo: Herman Leonard

Junior Mance, Verve 8319 Junior Mance: Junior Label: Verve 8319 12" LP 1959
Photo: Burt Goldblatt

Art Tatum, Verve 8323 Art Tatum: The Greatest Of Them All Label: Verve 8323 12" LP 1959
Photo: Herman Leonard

Gillespie, Verve 8328 Dizzy Gillespie: The Ebullient Mr. Gillespie Label: Verve 8328 12" LP 1959
Design: Sheldon Marks Photo: Chuck Stewart

Konitz, Verve 8335 Lee Konitz meets Jimmy Giuffre Label: Verve 8335 12" LP 1959
Design: Sheldon Marks Photo: Bill Rotsler and Chuck Stewart

Gerry Mulligan meets Ben Webster Label: Verve 8343 12" LP 1959
Photo: William Claxton

Gillespie, Verve 8352 Dizzy Gillespie: The Greatest Trumpet Of Them All Label: Verve 8352 (S-6117) 12" LP 1959
Design: Sheldon Marks Photo: Chuck Stewart

Johnny Hodges, Verve 8355 Johnny Hodges: Not So Dukish Label: Verve 8355 12" LP 1959
Photo: Herman Leonard

Jimmy Giuffre, Verve 8361 Jimmy Giuffre: Ad Lib Label: Verve 8361 12" LP 1960

Gerry Mulligan meets Johnny Hodges Label: Verve 8367 12" LP 1960

Sonny Stitt, Verve 8377 Sonny Stitt: Saxophone Supremacy Label: Verve 8377 12" LP 1960
Design; Merle Shore Photo: George Jerman

Lester Young, Verve 8378 Lester Young in Paris Label: Verve 8378 12" LP 1960

Red Allen meets Kid Ory, Verve 1018 Red Allen meets Kid Ory Label: Verve 1018 12" LP 1960 Photo: Phil Stern

Stan Getz, Verve 8379 Stan Getz: Cool Velvet Label: Verve 8379 12" LP 1960

Gene Ammons - Sonny Stitt, Verve 8426 Gene Ammons - Sonny Stitt: Boss Tenors Label: Verve 8426 12" LP 1961
Photo: Pompeo Posar

Johnny Hodges, Verve 8452 Johnny Hodges / Billy Strayhorn Label: Verve 8452 12" LP 1961
Photo: Charles Stewart

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CLEF, NORGRAN, VERVE

The photo-graphic covers

Clef, Norgran & Verve

The photo-
graphic covers