Tempo Records (US)

Tempo Records (US)
Country of originUnited States
LocationHollywood, California

Tempo Records was a mid-20th century United States–based record label headquartered in Hollywood, California. It was run by Irving Fogel.[1][2] Tempo bridged the 78 rpm, 45 rpm and 33⅓ rpm generations, releasing discs in all three formats.[3]

Tempo's roster included jazz harpist Robert Maxwell,[4] pianist Mel Henke,[5] cornetist Doc Evans, clarinetist Sid Phillips, Novachord virtuoso Lloyd Sloop, violinist Joe Venuti, Hammond organist Herb Kern,[6] and pianist Ben Light.[7]

Tempo released the 1949 version of "Sweet Georgia Brown" by Brother Bones and His Shadows which was used as the theme song for the Harlem Globetrotters basketball team.[8]

  1. ^ "3 Foreign Distribs Lined Up by Temp". Billboard. 4 April 1953. pp. 18–. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  2. ^ Bahrampour, Tara (8 June 2018). "Leo Sarkisian, who brought African music to listeners around the world, dies at 97". Washington Post. Retrieved 29 September 2018.
  3. ^ Tempo Upping 45's. Billboard. 4 February 1950. pp. 47–. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  4. ^ Hollywood. Billboard. 9 December 1950. pp. 17–. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  5. ^ Tempo Features Briggs's Flute. Billboard. 8 October 1949. pp. 14–. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  6. ^ Philco Places 500G Order As Freebies to Distribs. Billboard. 28 April 1951. pp. 16–. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  7. ^ Light Signs 4-Year Paper with Capitol. Billboard. 1 March 1952. pp. 18–. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  8. ^ Coulter, Bruce (14 November 2015). "Leo and Mary Sarkisian of Tewksbury captured sights and sounds around the globe". Tewksbury Advocate. Retrieved 29 September 2018.