Established in New York 1939, Blue Note Records became a beacon for jazz music, particularly in the post-war era. The label prospered thanks to its audacious approach to experimental jazz (particularly bebop), attracting the most heralded of jazz musicians and counteracting the domineering image that commonly follows record labels by treating musicians with respect and encouraging their involvement in all aspects of recording.

Thelonius Monk, Herbie Hancock, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon and many more all recorded sessions on the label, which is now home to Norah Jones.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of this jazz stalwart, the Jewish Museum Berlin is hosting an exhibition featuring images and photographs which chronicle the history of Blue Note Records. Captured by one of the early label-heads Francis Wolff and label photographer Jimmy Katz, the collection showcases rare portraits of Davis, Coltrane, Monk and many more and provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the operations of this trail-blazing label.