Bluebird was launched by RCA-Victor in 1932 as a low budget label.
Label Code: LC 7915 / LC 07915.
Originally produced for exclusive sale through Woolworth department stores, the first issues did not bear either RCA or Victor trademarks. The first of these (catalog #s 1800-1809) were 8" records containing dance band selections from Victor discs, the 8" format was unpopular with the public and RCA quickly replaced them with standard 10" discs. Early issues (catalog #s 1820-1853) were also produced for Woolworth's. These records, like their 8" predecessors, bore a black-on-blue color scheme and are quite rare today.
By March, 1933 it was clear to RCA executives that Bluebird had mass appeal to Depression-era consumers, and the label underwent a transition from a Woolworth's client label to a fully owned and credited RCA brand. The original label design was retained, but RCA and Victor trademarks were added and a light-blue type on buff-colored paper replaced earlier labels. This label remained in use until September, 1937 (and 1939 in Canada), at which time a short-lived "staff" label was introduced. The catalog numbering scheme also changed in March, 1933, and releases issued thereafter had a "B-" prefix (starting at B-5000 in America).
At this point, most 1800-series material was immediately reissued on the "Buff label". In November 1938 numbers jumped from B-7875 to B-10000. At this time, a new label with a simpler design that incorporated both the Victor and Bluebird trademarks was introduced, and remained in use with minor changes into the mid-1940s. In September 1942 it reached B-11594 and a new number system was adopted. Popular releases occupied 30-0800 and 31-0000 series, country/western/hillbilly releases occupied 32-0000 and 33-0000 series, a race series was released in a 34-0700 block and a rhythm & blues series occupied a 35-0000 number block. In addition, a 39-3000 series was reserved for children's records. Finally, in March 1945 the Bluebird label ended. From 1946 to 1950 some Bluebird recordings were re-released using the original Bluebird serial number on the RCA Victor label. The notation "Bluebird Series" appeared around the rim of the label. In July 1949 the Bluebird label was revived at 31-0001, and a handful were issued over the next few months.
In the 1930s, Bluebird recorded popular dance music,country, blues and jazz, as well as reissuing jazz, gospel and blues items previously released on Sonny Boy Williamson. They produced a characteristic small band style which became known as the "Bluebird sound" and which, when electric amplification was added, became hugely influential on R&B and early rock and roll records. However, Bluebird all but ceased making blues records in 1942.
Two of the most popular swing bandleaders, Frank Driggs.
Bluebird remains active as a jazz label in the CD era, releasing albums from jazzmen like Tom Harrell.
And it remains also on RCA's jazz reissue program, associated with BMG.
