The Piano Factory That Launched Jazz

A midwestern piano company became the unlikely birthplace of American jazz recordings. By running their own record label, they captured the sounds of legends like Louis Armstrong and Jelly Roll Morton.

Based in Indiana, the Starr Piano Company pivoted from building instruments to preserving history through their Gennett label. They took a gamble on early jazz artists who were ignored by major labels in New York and Chicago. Because of their humble factory setting, these recordings often have a distinct, raw acoustic quality that defines early jazz. Their bold decision to record these musicians helped launch the careers of some of the most influential performers in history.