Prestige Elite Records Limited

08/07/2025

🎂 Born On This Day: Billy Eckstine (8th July 1914)🎙️

A true pioneer of jazz and swing, Billy Eckstine possessed one of the most velvety, distinctive baritone voices in American music. Known for his sophistication, elegance, and emotional depth, Eckstine broke barriers in both sound and style—becoming a trailblazer for Black male vocalists in popular music.

Beyond his timeless solo work, he led one of the most influential big bands of the 1940s, nurturing the careers of future legends like Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Miles Davis. His recordings continue to resonate with fans around the world, a testament to his artistry and legacy.

🎧 You can stream "The Classic Years Vol. 2" now on Spotify, featuring unforgettable tracks like:
“My Foolish Heart”, “Christmas Eve”, “Laura”, “Coquette”, and many more. Let his voice transport you to the golden age of jazz and swing.

💿 Listen now: https://open.spotify.com/album/4RcRJPXkDfx6KUiWU82nZA?si=sNcVVX3vRoWmOQpQCtx8NA

08/07/2025

✨ Remembering Tab Hunter ✨
Today we honour the memory of Tab Hunter - American actor, singer, and 1950s heartthrob - who passed away on 8th July 2018, at the age of 86.

A charismatic star of the silver screen, Tab captivated audiences in films like Damn Yankees and topped the charts with his #1 hit “Young Love.” His smooth vocals and boy-next-door charm made him a teen idol of his time.

Later in life, Tab became a powerful figure in LGBTQ+ history, courageously coming out in his 2005 autobiography, Tab Hunter Confidential, and living authentically after decades in the spotlight.

🎧 Rediscover the magic:
Listen to The Classic Years on Spotify — 32 nostalgic tracks including “Young Love,” “Red Sails in the Sunset,” “My Baby Just Cares for Me,” and more.
🔗 Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7fgBHAbmGDQbrM4h7PxDUW?si=_0hwoAM0Tj6gGVsXl5bzeg

Celebrate a legacy that bridged music, movies, and personal truth. 🌈✨

08/07/2025

🎺 OUT NOW: Quincy Jones And His Orchestra – "The Classic Years Volume 1"
Step into the golden age of jazz with this 2-Disc CD collection from the legendary Quincy Jones, showcasing his early brilliance and collaborations with some of the genre’s greatest voices.

🎶 Highlight Tracks You Don’t Want to Miss:

"Lullaby Of Birdland" – A swinging, sophisticated take on the jazz standard.
"Relax Max" (feat. Dinah Washington) – Jones and Washington craft a silky, laid-back groove.
"Stockholm Sweetnin'" – A crisp, cool bop classic from Jones’ European era.
"Quince" (feat. Sonny Stitt) – Saxophone virtuosity meets Quincy’s slick arrangements.
"Stardust" (feat. Sonny Stitt) – A lush, expressive rendition of the Hoagy Carmichael classic.
"My Funny Valentine" – Moody and timeless.
"You’d Be So Nice To Come Home To" (feat. Helen Mirrill) – A vocal gem with orchestral finesse.
"I Could Write A Book" (feat. Dinah Washington) – Romantic, blues-tinged elegance.

💿 2 Discs – Over 2 Hours of Timeless Jazz Excellence
💷 Only £6.99 – Available now via our online store.

✨ Relive the era that made Quincy Jones a household name – from bebop ballads to big band brilliance.

https://prestige-elite.com/perl-store/The-Classic-Years-2-CD-Quincy-Jones-and-His-Orchestra-p764432648

07/07/2025

OUT NOW: Michel Legrand & Friends – "Legrand Jazz"

An essential addition to any jazz lover’s collection, "Legrand Jazz" is now available for just £6.99! This stunning release brings together the arranging brilliance of Michel Legrand with a dream line-up of jazz legends including:

🎺 Miles Davis
🎷 John Coltrane
🎹 Bill Evans
🎶 Herbie Mann, Paul Chambers, Ben Webster, Donald Byrd, Art Farmer, George Duvivier and more!

Michel Legrand's visionary orchestrations elevate classic jazz compositions into cinematic masterpieces — blending lush harmonies with explosive solos and cool sophistication. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to jazz, this album is a masterclass in collaborative artistry.

🛒 Available now for just £6.99: https://prestige-elite.com/perl-store/Legrand-Jazz-Michel-Legrand-and-Friends-p764398233

📀 Track List:

The Jitterbug Waltz
Nuages
Wild Man Blues
Stompin' At The Savoy
Night In Tunisia
In A Mist
Blue And Sentimental
Django
Don't Get Around Much Anymore
Rosetta
'Round Midnight
The Windmills Of Your Mind
The Summer Of '42
Concerto For Cabs
Sea And Sky
A Place In Paris
The Burning Shore (feat. Julie Cooper, piano)

07/07/2025

🎉 Born On This Day: Pinetop Perkins

Born July 7, 1913, the incomparable Pinetop Perkins was one of the most enduring and influential blues pianists in American music history. With a career that spanned over eight decades, Perkins became a cornerstone of the Chicago blues scene and a beloved figure in the world of boogie-woogie piano.

He began his musical journey in the Mississippi Delta, initially as a guitarist, but after an injury to his arm, he turned to piano — a twist of fate that gave blues one of its greatest stylists. Named after his signature rendition of “Pinetop’s Boogie Woogie,” he played with blues royalty including Muddy Waters, Robert Nighthawk, and Earl Ho**er, bringing a deep, rolling groove and a joyful grit to every stage he touched.

Even into his 90s, Pinetop remained an active performer, winning a Grammy Award at age 97, making him one of the oldest Grammy winners in history.

🎧 You can stream “Blues Legend” by Pinetop Perkins with Chicago Beau and The Blue Ice Band now on Spotify, featuring standout tracks such as:

🎵 Just Keep On Drinking
🎵 Got My Mojo Working
🎵 Yonder's Wall
🎵 Hi-Heel Sneakers

https://open.spotify.com/album/3W87AUj4eB61zSxAN6FMrx?si=jyXlPLHRTW2hnDcS8F2i1g

Raise a glass - today we celebrate the birth of a true blues master.

07/07/2025

🎶 Track of the Day: "Every Night (I Pray)" by The Chantels

"Every Night (I Pray)" by The Chantels is a quintessential doo-wop ballad that captures the innocence, vulnerability, and emotional depth of 1950s teenage love. Released in 1958, the song showcases the angelic voice of lead singer Arlene Smith, whose operatic training lent the group an emotional power and vocal sophistication that set them apart in the early girl-group era.

With its heartfelt lyrics, gentle piano chords, and layered harmonies, "Every Night (I Pray)" expresses longing and devotion with a sincerity that still resonates today. The Chantels were among the first successful all-female R&B groups, paving the way for acts like The Shirelles and The Supremes, and this track is a shining example of their enduring influence.

Whether you're revisiting the golden age of doo-wop or hearing it for the first time, this song is a soul-soothing reminder of the power of heartfelt vocals and timeless melodies.

▶️ You can stream it now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3YQdMJoQF1ZMXwXUFBLuyc?si=b2cd5697341e478d

The Chantels · The Classic Years · Song · 2013

07/07/2025

🎺 Today We Remember Bunk Johnson

On 7th July 1949, the world lost one of the early giants of New Orleans jazz — Bunk Johnson, who passed away at the age of 67. A cornetist with a rich, expressive tone and a turbulent but fascinating career, Bunk was a bridge between the formative years of jazz and its later revival.

A contemporary of Buddy Bolden and a key figure in the early New Orleans scene, Johnson played in brass bands and dance halls at the dawn of the 20th century. Though his career was interrupted for years, he experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 1940s, when jazz historians and fans brought him back into the spotlight. His playing in that period — lyrical, soulful, and rooted in tradition — offered a living link to jazz’s earliest roots.

🎧 You can stream his definitive collection, “The Classic Years”, now on Spotify, featuring standout tracks like:

"The Girls Go Crazy"
"Milneberg Joys"
"Snag It"
…and more timeless New Orleans classics.

https://open.spotify.com/album/6AND6Q1r5F4gou7euiJdbg?si=otZcvoVMQ0C3BieU4cQHlA

Let’s honour Bunk’s legacy by revisiting the joyful, brassy magic he helped bring into the world.

https://prestige-elite.com/

05/07/2025

🎶 Track of the Day: "Blues All Day Long (Blues Leave Me Alone)" by Jimmy Rogers

A staple of postwar Chicago blues, "Blues All Day Long (Blues Leave Me Alone)" captures the essence of Jimmy Rogers’ smooth vocal delivery and understated yet powerful guitar work. Originally released in 1958, the track showcases Rogers at the height of his creative output, merging lyrical melancholy with a rolling groove that perfectly encapsulates the classic blues sentiment — longing, defiance, and the ever-present ache of heartache.

Rogers, known for his work with Muddy Waters' band and as a solo artist, was a master of crafting blues that felt personal and timeless. "Blues All Day Long" features an effortless blend of shuffle rhythm, soulful phrasing, and a pleading tone that remains relevant decades later. The song's refrain — "Blues, leave me alone" — is a universal cry, delivered with such sincerity it resonates far beyond the blues genre.

▶️ You can stream it now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/76nzcn2p3jk4aHjWSQOzAm?si=043dac6eaa224dfa

Jimmy Rogers · The Classic Years · Song · 2013