Horizon Records

Horizon Records
Founded1962 (1962)
FounderDave Hubert
Defunct1980 (1980)
StatusInactive
Distributor(s)Verve Records
GenreJazz, folk
Country of originU.S.

Horizon Records was an American independent record label founded in 1962 by Dave Hubert.[1][2]

Horizon was originally a folk and blues label distributed by World Pacific Records. When Liberty Records acquired World Pacific in 1965, it also took over the distribution of Horizon. From 1974 to 1978 the label became a subsidiary imprint of A&M Records for issuing jazz. and pop, During this period, the label was known for producing albums with high-quality audio and packaging.[3][4] The catalogue includes albums by Dave Brubeck, Ornette Coleman, Paul Desmond, Charlie Haden, and Jim Hall. John Snyder, the founder of the label, left in 1977 and started Artists House.[5][6]

In 1979 Horizon struck gold with debut albums by Brenda Russell and the Yellow Magic Orchestra. By 1980, the label disappeared. In 1984, A&M went into a deal with Word Distribution, giving more powerful distribution for Word's labels, such as Myrrh Records, Word Records, and Exit Records. Horizon was reactivated with its 1979 artwork intact as a Christian label, with the Imperials, while Myrrh artist Amy Grant signed directly with A&M. By 1987, Horizon had disappeared a second time. Horizon's jazz catalogue is now managed by Verve Records.

  1. ^ Chase, Sam, ed. (August 4, 1962). "Dave Hubert Bows New Horizon Label" (PDF). Billboard Music Week. Cincinnati: The Billboard Publishing Co. p. 6. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2023.
  2. ^ Ostrow, Marty; Howard, Ira, eds. (August 11, 1962). "World Pacific To Handle Horizon, Folk Diskery" (PDF). Cash Box. New York: The Cash Box Publishing Co. p. 176. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Kernfeld, Barry (2001). "Horizon". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.‎
  4. ^ "Horizon Records". On A&M Records. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  5. ^ Kernfeld, Barry (2002). Barry Kernfeld (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, vol. 1 (2nd ed.). New York: Grove's Dictionaries Inc. p. 277. ISBN 1561592846.
  6. ^ Yanow, Scott (1998). "Labels". In Erlewine, Michael; Bogdanov, Vladimir; Woodstra, Chris; Yanow, Scott (eds.). All Music Guide to Jazz (3rd ed.). San Francisco: Miller Freeman Books. p. 1333. ISBN 0-87930-530-4.