Candid Records


Candid Records is a record label specialising in jazz, now based in the United Kingdom. It was founded in New York City in 1960 as a subsidiary of Cadence Records, owned by Archie Bleyer. Jazz writer and civil rights activist Nat Hentoff was the label's director and, he attempted to create a catalog that represented jazz of the day. He also worked with designer and photographer Frank Gauna to create many memorable album covers.
Candid's catalogue included Don Ellis, Abbey Lincoln, Booker Little, Charles Mingus, and Cecil Taylor. Later the label was bought by pop singer Andy Williams, who reissued some of the catalogue on his Barnaby label in the 1970s.
In 1989 Candid was bought by Black Lion Records, which reissued some material on CDs and produced new recordings. The catalogue expanded to include Greg Abate, Kenny Barron, Luis Bonilla, Art Hodes, Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman, Shorty Rogers and Bud Shank, Mongo Santamaría, and Shirley Scott.

Discography