Tone Center Records is a record label devoted to jazz fusion. It was founded by
Mike Varney, who started the rock music label
Shrapnel Records
Shrapnel Records is an American record label founded in 1980 by record producer Mike Varney.
History
Guitarist Marty Friedman (formerly of Megadeth and Cacophony), one of the label's most successful artists, first appeared on the album ''U ...
in 1980.
The label grew out of Varney's admiration for the jazz fusion of the 1970s and groups such as
The Tony Williams Lifetime
The Tony Williams Lifetime was a jazz fusion group led by jazz drummer Tony Williams.
Original line-up
The Tony Williams Lifetime was founded in 1969 as a power trio with John McLaughlin on electric guitar, and Larry Young on organ. The ban ...
,
Mahavishnu Orchestra
The Mahavishnu Orchestra were a jazz fusion band formed in New York City in 1971, led by English guitarist John McLaughlin. The group underwent several line-up changes throughout its history across its two periods of activity, from 1971 to 1976 ...
,
Return to Forever
Return to Forever was an American jazz fusion band that was founded by pianist Chick Corea in 1972. The band has had many members, with the only consistent bandmate of Corea's being bassist Stanley Clarke. Along with Weather Report, The Hea ...
, and
Soft Machine
Soft Machine are a British rock band from Canterbury formed in mid-1966 by Mike Ratledge (keyboards, 1966–1976), Robert Wyatt (drums, vocals, 1966–1971), Kevin Ayers (bass, guitar, vocals, 1966–1968) and Daevid Allen (guitar, 1966– ...
. Tone Center's early releases included drummer
Steve Smith and guitarists
Larry Coryell
Larry Coryell (born Lorenz Albert Van DeLinder III; April 2, 1943 – February 19, 2017) was an American jazz guitarist.
Early life
Larry Coryell was born in Galveston, Texas, United States. He never knew his biological father, a musician. He w ...
,
Frank Gambale, and
Scott Henderson.
See also
*
List of record labels
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Lists of record labels cover record labels, brands or trademarks associated with marketing of music recordings and music videos. The lists are organized alphabetically, b ...
References
External links
Tone Center at Sharpnel Records
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American independent record labels
Jazz record labels