JSP Records is a long-running British independent label based in London, specializing in blues and jazz. Founded in 1978 by John Stedman (the initials stand for John Stedman Promotions), it grew directly out of his work promoting and booking American blues artists for UK concerts and club appearances. Musicians who came over for shows soon asked for recording opportunities, and the label was born. Over more than four decades JSP has issued both new recordings of living blues artists and an extensive series of carefully remastered historical reissues of pre-war blues and classic jazz.
History and Ownership
John Stedman began promoting blues in the late 1970s, bringing American performers to venues such as the 100 Club, the New London Theatre and the Collegiate Theatre. Artists including Roy Brown, Jimmy McCracklin, Charles Brown and Professor Longhair were among those he presented in Britain. The demand from these musicians for record deals led him to establish JSP. Early releases mixed newly recorded sessions, live material and some licensed tracks (including from the Bandera label). Stedman has remained the sole owner and driving force. In the mid-1980s the label was an early adopter of the CD format for historical material, collaborating with specialist engineers such as John R.T. Davies and later Ted Kendall on transfers from original 78 rpm discs—especially the fragile shellac Paramount pressings. The company continues to release both contemporary blues albums and multi-disc archival box sets from its London base.
Focus on Blues and Notable Artists & Recordings
Blues has always been the heart of the JSP catalog, ranging from straightforward contemporary sessions to comprehensive historical collections.
Contemporary and later-career recordings captured many important blues artists in the late 1970s, 1980s and beyond:
- Buddy Guy — a cornerstone of the early catalog. Key albums include The Dollar Done Fell (1980), Breaking Out, D.J. Play My Blues and collaborations with his brother Phil Guy (Buddy & Phil). These sessions document Guy’s powerful playing and singing during a productive period and have been gathered in later complete-JSP collections.
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- Louisiana Red (often with harmonica player Sugar Blue) — Red Funk ’n’ Blue (1979), one of the label’s very first releases.
- Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson — Fun in London and related material.
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- Walter Horton — Little Boy Blue and other harmonica-focused sides.
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- Hound Dog Taylor — live recordings such as Live at Florence’s.
- Phil Guy, Carey Bell, Lurrie Bell, Byther Smith, Eddie Taylor, Big John Wrencher, Kansas City Red, Johnny Mars, J.B. Hutto and others who recorded strong albums or singles for the label.
- Later and more recent artists include Larry Garner, Guitar Shorty, Lucky Peterson, Deitra Farr, Kirk Fletcher, Chris Beard, Tutu Jones, Andrew “Jr. Boy” Jones and Lil’ Dave Thompson. Several of these musicians later moved on to larger labels, underlining JSP’s role as a springboard.
Historical blues reissues form an equally important part of the catalog. JSP has specialized in multi-disc sets that present complete or near-complete bodies of work with improved sound from original 78s. Stand-out examples include:
- Complete or extensive collections of Charley Patton, Blind Blake, Bukka White and Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup.
- Regional and thematic anthologies such as When the Levee Breaks – Mississippi Blues: Rare Cuts 1926–46, Atlanta Blues and Shake That Thing – East Coast Blues 1935–53.
- Numerous other pre-war and early post-war compilations covering Mississippi, Chicago, Texas, the East Coast and related traditions.
These releases are valued by collectors for making scarce Paramount, Vocalion and similar material more widely available in cleaned-up digital form.
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Other Musical Styles
Although blues dominates, JSP has maintained a strong parallel commitment to classic jazz and other roots styles:
- Jazz — The multi-volume set of Louis Armstrong’s Hot Fives and Sevens is frequently cited as one of the essential historical jazz reissues. Other jazz titles cover Jelly Roll Morton, Fats Waller, Bix Beiderbecke, Eddie Lang, Django Reinhardt (in collaboration with specialist restoration engineers), Bud Freeman, Illinois Jacquet, Junior Mance and various early jazz and swing compilations.
- Related and specialty areas — Early licensed rockabilly and R&B sides (including Bandera material), plus occasional collections of Cajun, klezmer, Greek rembetika and other traditional or “ethnic” music under related series or imprints.
Legacy
JSP Records occupies a distinctive place in the British blues world. It began by documenting living American blues artists through new recordings and UK appearances, then developed into one of the most prolific sources of carefully remastered pre-war blues and classic jazz. John Stedman’s dual role as promoter and label owner created a direct connection between artists and releases, while the historical program has made rare early recordings far more accessible to modern listeners. Artists who first recorded for JSP often gained wider recognition later, and the label’s archival box sets remain standard references for collectors and scholars. More than forty-five years after its founding, JSP continues to serve both contemporary blues audiences and those seeking the foundational recordings of the genre.
