Before Blue Note became a brand and before Impulse! turned jazz into a cosmic mission, there was Prestige Records — raw, loose, experimental, and absolutely electric.
Today, I'm joined by Chris Entwisle, authors of Wail: The Art of Prestige Records 1949–1960, a stunning deep dive into the label that captured some of the most vital moments in jazz history — from Miles Davis and John Coltrane to Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, and Eric Dolphy.
We talk about Prestige's iconic album art, the culture of speed-session recording, the musicians who defined the label's sound, and why Prestige still feels like the most human, gritty, and dangerous chapter in jazz's golden era.
If you love jazz history, vinyl culture, or the story behind legendary records, this one's for you.
