Modern Music - Biography

Biography - Modern Music

USA

Founded in 1945 by the Bihari brothers Joe, Saul, Les, and Jules. The label was renamed Modern Records in September 1947.

Founded in 1945 by Jules Bihari, a juke box repairman and restocker in Los Angeles, CA. Trying to respond to his clientele's demand for new West Coast rhythm and blues recordings, he first recorded a number of sides of his girlfriend, boogie woogie piano player Hadda Brooks (née Hadda Hopgood). These first releases sold so well that Jules Bihari brought his brothers Joe, Saul, and Les Bihari into the business as well and started recording more widely. In its first year, Modern Music recorded be-bop trumpeter Howard McGhee, multi-instrumentalist George “Happy” Johnson, two female vocalists, Jesse Perry and Pearl Traylor, and a vocal trio, Three Bits Of Rhythm.

In September 1947, the brothers renamed their label Modern Records, Hollywood. Just before, in mid-1947, they also started releasing some Country & Western music, e.g., Harry Coates (i.e., Harry Choates), "Joe Blon"/"Basile Waltz" on Modern Music 20-511. That latter song was originally released as Gold Star Records 1313/1314 and is an example for the Bihari's practice of buying masters from smaller record companies and release them on their own label.

Addresses:
1945:
Modern Music Distributing Company, 115 S. San Pedro, Los Angeles 12, Calif.
June - Aug. 1946:
Modern Music Distributing Company, 678 1/2 South Vermont, Los Angeles 5, Calif.
May 1947:
Modern Music Co., 686 North Robertson, Los Angeles 46, Calif.

« Discography

Edit This Biography : Biography Credits