[Deathwatch] Bob Weinstock, jazz entrepreneur, 77

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

Jazz entrepreneur Bob Weinstock dies at 77

Fri Jan 20

Bob Weinstock, founder of the renowned jazz label Prestige, died
January 14 in Boca Raton, Fla. He was 77.

The New York-born entrepreneur was 16 when he entered the music
business with a mail-order operation wholesaling jazz reissues to
various stores in New York. He first worked from his family's apartment
and then rented retail space for his booming business at the Jazz
Record Corner on West 47th Street.

In 1949, the 20-year-old Weinstock established his initial imprint,
which he called New Jazz. Shortly thereafter he launched Prestige.
Weinstock operated the label until May 1971, when he sold the company
to Fantasy Records. (Prestige is now part of the Concord Music Group.)

Under Weinstock's guidance, Prestige recorded many of the giants of
jazz. The label developed an important catalog of jazz classics,
including works by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and
Thelonious Monk.

In the 1960s, Weinstock updated Prestige with the addition of soul jazz
artists such as Brother Jack McDuff, Richard "Groove" Holmes and
Charles Earland. The label also scored R&B and pop hits with recordings
like King Pleasure's "Moody's Mood for Love" and Etta Jones' "Don't Go
to Strangers."

After selling the company, Weinstock moved to Florida. He is survived
by his companion, Roberta Ross; three sons; and three grandchildren.

Many thanks to Deathwatch Central for posting this obituary