We invite you to read through a brief history of Vanguard Records, but we caution you, the best way to get to know Vanguard is to audibly sample our rich musical history!

50 years ago Seymour Solomon and his younger brother Maynard founded Vanguard Records in New York City. The two brothers started with a $10,000 loan from their father and rented a tiny one-room office in a rabbit warren at 80 East 11th Street (also known as 799 Broadway). Two years later, as the company was expanding, they were loaned an additional $13,000 This was the total capitalization for a company that within a few years was to become one of America's leading independent labels.

Founded at an auspicious moment in music history, with the LP format having been introduced two years earlier, Vanguard first commissioned the recordings of five Bach cantatas. From the beginning the company maintained two label series, Vanguard and the Bach Guild, and as the LP market blossomed Vanguard's fortunes blossomed with it. The emphasis remained on the classical catalog, but soon the company was recording music of every kind, from the Jazz Showcase series produced by John Hammond to show music.

In the 1950s, Seymour and Maynard had the courage to break with the entertainment industry and record blacklisted performers, including Paul Robeson and the Weavers. The 1955 Christmas concert by the Weavers at Carnegie Hall was so successful, that although they continued to expand the classical catalog, there was an ever increasing emphasis on folk and popular music.

How To Contact Vanguard Records

In order to try and cut down on spamming to the following email addresses, please use an @ instead of (at) and a (.) in place of the word dot.

For questions regarding our release schedule, reissue requests, artists and general information, email: info at vanguardrecords dot com.

Contact Info at Milesofmusic dot com for questions about your purchases at our online store.

For current artist info including photos, bios and press releases, please visit the Publicity site.  To request interviews or copies of CD's, contact the Publicity Department email: publicity at vanguardrecords dot com.

If you are a program director, music director or specialty show host for a radio station and have questions pertaining to any Vanguard artists please contact the Radio Department email: radio at vanguardrecords dot com.

Questions regarding retail sales, purchasing Vanguard releases, etc. contact the Sales Department email: sales at vanguardrecords dot com

Questions regarding Marketing, promotional opportunities, etc. contact the Marketing Department email: marketing at vanguardrecords dot com

For all inquiries pertaining to the distribution of Vanguard products to areas outside of the United States contact our International Department email: international at vanguardrecords dot com

Questions regarding our consumer, trade, or event advertising contact our Advertising Department email: advertising at vanguardrecords dot com.

Questions regarding any online media or digital distribution contact our New Media Department email: newmedia at vanguardrecords dot com.

For licensing information and requests, contact our Licensing Department email: licensing at vanguardrecords dot com