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Big Bear Records

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144:, who had just scored a top 40 hit with "Rudi's in Love". After Parlophone, the band's existing label, declined to release the planned follow-up recording "Rudi The Red Nosed Reindeer", Simpson decided to set up his own Big Bear Records label to release the single (with the band renamed Steam Shovel for contractual reasons), with initial distribution from 248:
magazine, which continues to publish bi-monthly, as well as The British Jazz Awards. The first edition of the awards was marked with a ceremony at Birmingham's Grand Hotel, where the jam session featuring the poll winners was recorded and released as the
244:. The success of the event provided the impetus for the first Birmingham International Jazz Festival the following summer, which continues to be organised annually by Big Bear Music every July. In 1987, Big Bear launched 163:, who one week approached Simpson to request a support slot at a future gig for their band, then known as Earth. Simpson would go on to manage Earth, who soon changed their name to 177:
Following this, Simpson began to focus his attention on recording and touring American bluesmen, under the billing American Blues Legends. Featuring musicians including
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The 1980s saw Big Bear Records returning to Simpson's first love, mainstream jazz and swing. Assembling a lineup of leading British jazz musicians including
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Big Bear Records continued to work with prominent names in British jazz into the 1990s, releasing albums by Lady Sings The Blues (fronted by Val Wiseman),
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Big Bear Records was founded by promoter and band manager Jim Simpson in 1968, taking its name from the nickname given to Simpson by Radio 1 DJ
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Bob Brunning: The American Blues Legends. in: Bob Brunning: Blues – The British connection. Dorset. Blandford Press, 1986, p. 181–198.
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club night at The Crown Hotel on Station Street in Birmingham. Early members of the club included
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1615:"Various: Jazz City UK Volume 2 – The Jam Sessions | Jazz Journal" 1258:"Jim Simpson tells the story behind the success of Big Bear Music" 121: 58: 1518:"Diversity is the priceless key to the marvellous Jazz Festival" 125: 62: 1664: 96: 1570:. Bootman, Cara., Parrott, Tamsin. (3rd ed.). 2000. 91: 80: 72: 54: 46: 31: 26: 1346:Counteract – News | Music | Events | Food | Film 402:BEAR 21, Caroline C 1502, INT 146.404, BRP 2002 721:Mitchells and Butler's British Jazz Awards 1987 420:BEAR 2, Munich 150 201, INT 146.403, BRP 2013 8: 151:During 1968, Simpson established the weekly 459:Gospel-Wailing...Blues Man from New Orleans 271: 23: 1284:Collins complete UK hit singles 1952-2004 1670:Illustrated Big Bear Records discography 1316:"Jim Simpson Life Stories with Des Tong" 1231: 1591: 1071:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 1010:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 963:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 947:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 914:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 863:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 831:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 787:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 758:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 689:Brum Beat – Live at the Barrel Organ! 7: 762:King Pleasure & The Biscuit Boys 140:. At the time, Simpson was managing 1394:Large, Heather (23 February 2019). 448:BEAR 6, Munich 150 203,INT 146.407 1256:Young, Graham (29 November 2013). 112:is the oldest independent British 14: 1042:Django's Castle with Bruce Adams 774:Bill Allred's Goodtime Jazz Band 398:Homesick James & Snooky Pryor 240:, recorded and released on LP as 116:set up in 1968 by Jim Simpson in 1613:Rainey, Hugh (31 January 2019). 1568:International who's who in music 1446:Franz, Steve (27 January 2016). 1369:"I Gave Sabbath Their First Gig" 867:Live at Ronnie Scotts Birmingham 918:Blues & Rhythm Revue, Vol 1 618:BEAR 14, INT 146.406, BRP 2033 572:BEAR 11, INT 146.401, BRP 2003 1516:Young, Graham (18 July 2014). 646:BEAR 24, BB 1001, INT 161.400 1: 1665:Big Bear Music Group homepage 120:, England. It specialises in 705:M&B Jam Session Volume 1 174:before leaving him in 1970. 1030:I Wish I Was in New Orleans 749:Groove Juice Comin' To Town 296:Rudi the Red-Nosed Reindeer 1716: 1700:British jazz record labels 997:The Doctor Teeth Big Band 658:American Blues Legends '79 568:Boogie Piano Chicago Style 520:American Blues Legends '75 429:American Blues Legends '74 383:BEAR 20, Polydor 2460 186 379:American Blues Legends '73 367:BEAR 19, Polydor 2460 185 348:BEAR 18, Polydor 2460 169 333:BEAR 17, Polydor 2460 168 1367:Rockwell (29 July 2011). 1180: 1083: 1038: 993: 910: 859: 812: 770: 713: 666: 558: 550:Home Sweet Homesick James 482: 406: 371: 318:BEAR 16, Action ACMP 100 304: 736:Out Looking for the Lion 251:British Jazz Awards 1987 1636:"Big Bear Music Agency" 1091:Taking Care of Business 985:The Marbella Jazz Suite 951:Smack Dab in the Middle 433:BEAR 1, Munich 150 202 363:Let the Good Times Roll 242:The M&B Jam Session 1675:List of 7 inch 45 rpms 1598:: CS1 maint: others ( 1448:"Blues Unlimited #294" 1282:Betts, Graham (2004). 1188:Jazz City UK: Volume 2 1172:Jazz City UK: Volume 1 1001:Rhythm Is Our Business 980:Alan Barnes' All Stars 851:One Foot in the Gutter 439:Eddie "Playboy" Taylor 211:Eddie "Playboy" Taylor 1690:British record labels 1220:List of record labels 1152:Lady Sings The Blues 1136:The Whiskey Brothers 822:The Broadwood Concert 800:Lady Sings The Blues 745:Groove Juice Special 662:BEAR 23, INT 146.410 633:BEAR 15, INT 146.409 587:BEAR 12, INT 146.405 1055:Nomy Rosenberg Trio 935:Let's Face The Music 847:Bruce Adams Quartet 804:Lady Sings The Blues 502:Eddie "Guitar" Burns 496:BEAR 5, INT 146.408 478:BEAR 4, INT 146.402 309:Eddie "Guitar" Burns 207:Champion Jack Dupree 203:Eddie "Guitar" Burns 16:British record label 1695:Blues record labels 1640:Europe Jazz Network 1286:. London: Collins. 1059:Nomy Rosenberg Trio 897:Kenny Baker's Dozen 599:Live on 57th Street 507:Detroit Blackbottom 258:Kenny Baker's Dozen 1547:The Jazz Directory 1469:"Big Bear Records" 1400:Shropshirestar.com 1046:Swing Hotel du Vin 676:Kansas City Giants 492:Take a Look Inside 416:The Harmonica Boss 260:, Bruce Adams and 218:Humphrey Lyttelton 153:Henry's Blueshouse 1497:. 8 November 2018 1495:bebop spoken here 1348:. 7 February 2019 1211: 1210: 1203:Moments Like This 1108:Hooks & Lines 778:Swing That Music! 614:Shake Your Boogie 474:Big John's Boogie 469:Big John Wrencher 284:Catalogue Number 226:Digby Fairweather 107: 106: 73:Country of origin 1707: 1652: 1651: 1649: 1647: 1632: 1626: 1625: 1623: 1621: 1610: 1604: 1603: 1597: 1589: 1564: 1558: 1557: 1555: 1553: 1539: 1533: 1532: 1530: 1528: 1513: 1507: 1506: 1504: 1502: 1487: 1481: 1480: 1478: 1476: 1465: 1459: 1458: 1456: 1454: 1443: 1437: 1436: 1434: 1432: 1417: 1411: 1410: 1408: 1406: 1391: 1385: 1384: 1382: 1380: 1364: 1358: 1357: 1355: 1353: 1338: 1332: 1331: 1325: 1323: 1318:. 8 October 2018 1312: 1306: 1305: 1279: 1273: 1272: 1270: 1268: 1253: 1247: 1236: 1184:Various Artists 1168:Various Artists 1156:Laughing at Life 1140:Bottle Up And Go 1014:Hey Puerto Rico! 902:The Boss Is Home 717:Various Artists 701:Various Artists 685:Various Artists 654:Various Artists 629:Jivin' the Blues 595:'s Big Bad Band 516:Various Artists 425:Various Artists 375:Various Artists 344:Live at Montreux 314:Bottle Up and Go 272: 238:Cannon Hill Park 110:Big Bear Records 103: 100: 98: 92:Official website 42: 40: 27:Big Bear Records 24: 1715: 1714: 1710: 1709: 1708: 1706: 1705: 1704: 1680: 1679: 1661: 1656: 1655: 1645: 1643: 1634: 1633: 1629: 1619: 1617: 1612: 1611: 1607: 1590: 1578: 1566: 1565: 1561: 1551: 1549: 1541: 1540: 1536: 1526: 1524: 1515: 1514: 1510: 1500: 1498: 1489: 1488: 1484: 1474: 1472: 1467: 1466: 1462: 1452: 1450: 1445: 1444: 1440: 1430: 1428: 1419: 1418: 1414: 1404: 1402: 1393: 1392: 1388: 1378: 1376: 1366: 1365: 1361: 1351: 1349: 1340: 1339: 1335: 1321: 1319: 1314: 1313: 1309: 1294: 1281: 1280: 1276: 1266: 1264: 1255: 1254: 1250: 1237: 1233: 1228: 1216: 671:Claude Williams 444:Ready for Eddie 329:Blues from Mars 270: 134: 95: 38: 36: 22: 17: 12: 11: 5: 1713: 1711: 1703: 1702: 1697: 1692: 1682: 1681: 1678: 1677: 1672: 1667: 1660: 1659:External links 1657: 1654: 1653: 1627: 1605: 1576: 1559: 1543:"The Jazz Rag" 1534: 1522:Birminghampost 1508: 1482: 1460: 1438: 1427:. 12 June 2017 1412: 1386: 1359: 1333: 1307: 1292: 1274: 1262:Birminghampost 1248: 1230: 1229: 1227: 1224: 1223: 1222: 1215: 1212: 1209: 1208: 1205: 1200: 1198:Howard McCrary 1194: 1193: 1190: 1185: 1182: 1178: 1177: 1174: 1169: 1166: 1162: 1161: 1158: 1153: 1150: 1146: 1145: 1142: 1137: 1134: 1130: 1129: 1126: 1121: 1118: 1114: 1113: 1110: 1105: 1097: 1096: 1093: 1088: 1085: 1081: 1080: 1077: 1072: 1069: 1065: 1064: 1061: 1056: 1052: 1051: 1048: 1043: 1040: 1036: 1035: 1032: 1027: 1024: 1020: 1019: 1016: 1011: 1007: 1006: 1003: 998: 995: 991: 990: 987: 982: 977: 973: 972: 969: 964: 961: 957: 956: 953: 948: 945: 941: 940: 937: 932: 924: 923: 920: 915: 912: 908: 907: 904: 899: 894: 890: 889: 886: 881: 873: 872: 869: 864: 861: 857: 856: 853: 848: 845: 841: 840: 837: 835:Better Beware! 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Index

Blues
jazz
swing
Birmingham
www.bigbearmusic.com
record label
Birmingham
blues
jazz
John Peel
The Locomotive
Island Records
Henry's Blueshouse
Ozzy Osbourne
Tony Iommi
Black Sabbath
Paranoid
Tommy Tucker
Willie Mabon
Homesick James
Doctor Ross
Snooky Pryor
Cousin Joe
Eddie "Guitar" Burns
Champion Jack Dupree
Eddie "Playboy" Taylor
Humphrey Lyttelton
Dick Morrissey
Digby Fairweather
Dave Shepherd

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