Argo Records
Argo Records, founded 1956: jazz artists and albums on the label.
Argo Records was a record label in Chicago that was established in 1955 as a division of Chess Records. Originally the label was called Marterry, but bandleader Ralph Marterie objected, and within a couple of months the imprint was renamed Argo. Although Chess was a blues label, the Argo division began to record jazz in 1955 and over decades attracted some big names: Gene Ammons, Kenny Burrell, Barry Harris, Illinois Jacquet, Ahmad Jamal, Ramsey Lewis, James Moody, Max Roach, Red Rodney, and Ira Sullivan. Argo also recorded pop, blues, and calypso. Its first big hit was by Clarence "Frogman" Henry, whose song "Ain't Got No Home" came out in 1956. By 1960, rhythm and blues performers on the label included Etta James and the Dells. Argo changed its name in 1965 to Cadet Records when the company discovered that an Argo Records already existed in the UK.
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Artists on Argo Records
Ramsey Lewis
1935–2022 · American jazz composer (1935–2022)
Oliver Nelson
1932–1975 · American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, arranger…
Benny Bailey
1924–2005 · American jazz trumpeter (1925–2005)
Dorothy Ashby
1932–1986 · American jazz harpist (1932-1986)
Clarence "Frogman" Henry
1937–2024 · American rhythm and blues singer and pianist (1937–2024)
Label profile
Originally appeared as "Argo Record Corp." (full company name).
Chicago, Illinois label founded in 1955 as the jazz subsidiary of Chess Records. Originally launched as Marterry Records, it changed its name following an objection by bandleader Ralph Marterie. It changed its name again to Cadet Records in late 1965 after discovering that the UK label Argo (2) had previously been operating under the same name.
For bootlegs/unofficial releases, see Argo (7).
Consider adding also Argo Jazz or Argo Folk if it appears on the release.
45 RPM Catalog Number, Date and Label Identification:
5250 through 5281 (1956-1957): Silver and black label with "ship" logo.
5282 through 5360 (1957-1960): Black label, silver lettering, with vertical Argo logo.
5361 and higher (1960 forward): Light brown label with vertical Argo logo. Certain pressing plants used the above black label in the 5300 series.
In late 1965 around number 5515, Argo became Cadet. The name change didn't affect the numbering, as Cadet continued with the 5500 series.
Profile from Discogs (CC0)