Tampa Records

Tampa Records on vinyl: fifties West Coast jazz

In short: In the fifties Tampa was a small label from Hollywood. It recorded musicians from the West Coast scene – above all Art Pepper – as well as easy listening, cocktail jazz and percussion records for the new hi-fi systems. The Vinyl Room currently has 17 Tampa records, most of them from the fifties.

From our stock

Tampa first pressings

Cool jazz & bop

New in

→ Art Pepper · Cool jazz · Easy listening · Jazz on vinyl

What makes Tampa special?

For jazz collectors the Art Pepper records count most: “The Art Pepper Quartet”, recorded in 1956 and released in 1957, and the quartet of arranger Marty Paich with Pepper on alto saxophone. Plus Bob Gordon with “Jazz Impressions”, vibraphonist Red Norvo, pianist Gerald Wiggins and guitarist Oscar Moore, who had played in Nat King Cole’s trio.

The other side of the label is the hi-fi era: drummer George Jenkins with “Drum Stuff” and “Drum Magic”, Mike Pacheco with “Bongo Skins”, Paul Smith’s “Cocktail Hour” and orchestral records by René Hall and Buddy Baker – typical records of the hi-fi wave.

FAQ

Where did Tampa Records come from? From Hollywood, Los Angeles – a small fifties label.

Which jazz musicians recorded for Tampa? Among others Art Pepper, Marty Paich, Bob Gordon, Red Norvo, Gerald Wiggins and Oscar Moore.

What are George Jenkins’ drum records? Percussion albums from the fifties, when drum and sound records became popular with the hi-fi wave.

What do you have on Tampa? Mostly fifties jazz – 17 records in all.