Name: Merry Ole Soul
Brand: Duke Pearson

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

3808954

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

All Analog Master. 180 Gram Vinyl.

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Format Music GB

Limited edition

Release date

2021-10-01

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier GB

Universal

Tax rate GB

Standard:20

UPC / Barcode

0602438089543

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Total Cap

1 / Extended format: No / LP / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Duke Pearson

Genre GB

Jazz

Label GB

Blue Note

Blue Note is a record label that has made a significant impact in the jazz genre. Founded in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis, Blue Note focused on traditional jazz and swing recordings, producing timeless classics. In the 1950s, it became one of the first labels to feature bop musicians. After being acquired by *Universal Music Group* in 1965, Blue Note expanded its repertoire to include more commercially-oriented music like jazz-fusion. Throughout the years, Blue Note underwent various changes in ownership and reissue programs but continued to release new recordings and previously unreleased material.

In 1982, Blue Note catalog reissues began appearing on *United Artists Records*, which was owned by Michael Cuscuna who oversaw the UA-era reissue program. The label was later relaunched as part of *Capitol-EMI's* subsidiary *Manhattan Records* in 1985. It was during this time that Blue Note released key albums from its history and introduced previously unissued material.

In 1989, Blue Note became the division under which all of Capitol-EMI's jazz activities were organized. However, two years later, *Manhattan Records* was revived for smooth jazz and pop-jazz releases while Blue Note continued to thrive as a prominent label within Capitol-EMI's roster.

American jazz pianist, producer, bandleader, composer, and arranger. Duke Pearson was born on August 17, 1932 in Atlanta, Georgia and passed away on August 4, 1980 in the same city. He gained recognition after moving to New York City in January 1959 and joining trumpeter *Donald Byrd's* newly formed band. Pearson also accompanied *Nancy Wilson* on tour in 1961. Following the passing of *Alfred Lion* in 1963, Pearson took over his position as A&R man for Blue Note Records.

Throughout the 1960s, Duke Pearson was a sought-after session musician and producer for numerous Blue Note albums while also recording his own albums as a bandleader. His notable composition 'Cristo Redentor' for *Donald Byrd* in 1964 has been covered by various artists including *Dizzy Gillespie* and *Grant Green*. 

In the 1970s, Pearson was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis which eventually led to his passing at Atlanta Veterans Hospital in 1980.

Pianist Duke Pearson recorded his Christmas album Merry Ole Soul in 1969 with Bob Cranshaw on bass and Mickey Roker on drums, as well as percussionist Airto Moreira on several tracks.

The only Christmas album recorded during Blue Note’s classic era, the set includes holiday favorites including “Sleigh Ride”, “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas”, “Jingle Bells”, Silent Night”, and more

This Blue Note Classic Vinyl Edition is all-analog, mastered by Kevin Gray from the original master tapes, and pressed on 180g vinyl at Optimal.

Merry Ole Soul

Music GB

Buy Duke Pearson - Merry Ole Soul (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.