Blue Note Records has announced the October 10 release of Ike Quebec – The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions, a landmark collection that shines new light on one of the label’s most soulful and often overlooked saxophonists. Presented as part of the acclaimed Tone Poet Vinyl Series, this set brings together a magnificent body of work Quebec recorded between 1959 and 1962—a period that marked both a creative resurgence and a key chapter in Blue Note history.
Produced by Tone Poet curator Joe Harley, the 3-LP vinyl set is fully analog, cut directly from Rudy Van Gelder’s original master tapes by Kevin Gray, and pressed on 180g vinyl at RTI. The music is housed in a deluxe tip-on trifold jacket with an accompanying booklet featuring never-before-seen Francis Wolff photographs and a deeply researched essay by jazz scholar Loren Schoenberg. For those who prefer digital convenience, the collection will also be released as a 2-CD set.
A Saxophonist with Deep Roots in Blue Note History
Ike Quebec’s story is woven into the very fabric of Blue Note. In the 1940s, he recorded a series of 78s for co-founder Alfred Lion and even served as a talent scout, urging Lion to capture the groundbreaking music of bebop innovators like Thelonious Monk and Bud Powell. Despite his early contributions, Quebec fell into obscurity through much of the 1950s.
That all changed in 1959, when Lion reconnected with his old friend and invited him back to the studio. What followed was a remarkable series of 45 rpm jukebox singles that not only reintroduced Quebec to jazz fans but also revealed an artist at the height of his expressive powers. His warm, blues-infused tenor saxophone sound blended R&B accessibility with modern jazz sophistication, winning over audiences and reaffirming his place in the Blue Note legacy.
Rediscovering a Master Musician
“When I first listened to Ike’s 45 sessions, I was shocked,” Harley recalls. “I had imagined it would consist solely of short groove-oriented tunes. No—these stunning sessions capture a player who had already lived a full musical life, playing fully fleshed-out tunes with restraint, emotional weight, and a blues-drenched approach that bridged R&B accessibility with jazz sophistication.”
This Tone Poet edition finally gives Quebec’s 45 sessions the deluxe treatment they deserve, offering both longtime collectors and new listeners the chance to experience his artistry in its full depth and richness.
Fans can secure their copy of Ike Quebec – The Complete Blue Note 45 Sessions now, available for pre-order on the Blue Note Store. Whether on vinyl or CD, this release is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of jazz, the story of Blue Note Records, and the soulful voice of a saxophonist who deserves much wider recognition.
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