Cellar Music Group Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Celebratory concerts are planned in January, 2027 at Jazzcultural and One Flight Up in New York City
Founded in 2001 by saxophonist, producer, and impresario Cory Weeds, Cellar Music Group celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026, marking a quarter century as one of the most prolific and artist-driven independent jazz labels in North America. Over the past twenty-five years, the Vancouver-based label has built an internationally respected catalogue spanning hundreds of releases, documenting legendary masters to contemporary innovators across the global jazz community.
What began as an extension of Weeds’ beloved Vancouver venue Cellar Jazz Club evolved into a far-reaching recording operation, with a foundation of artistic trust, high-level musicianship, and a deep commitment to jazz and creative music. From early live recordings captured at the club to ambitious studio productions and archival releases Cellar Music Group has consistently championed music with both historical reverence and forward momentum.
Across its twenty-five year history, the label has released acclaimed recordings by an extraordinary roster of artists including Harold Mabern, Louis Hayes, Charles McPherson, David “Fathead” Newman, Eric Alexander, Ulysses Owens Jr, Dayna Stephens, Billy Drummond, Brad Turner, Bria Skonberg, Emmet Cohen, Miki Yamanaka, Champian Fulton, Vanisha Gould and many others. In recent years, the label has expanded its international reach further through major partnerships, new artist development initiatives, and a rapidly growing release schedule.
Among the label’s most significant achievements has been its ongoing collaboration with Spike Wilner and the SmallsLIVE Foundation through the acclaimed SmallsLIVE Living Masters Series. Since launching in 2021, the series has become one of the most vital archival and contemporary jazz documentation efforts of its kind, producing an extensive catalog of releases featuring celebrated artists including Marshall Allen, Jesse Davis, Ken Peplowski, Sheila Jordan, Dave Liebman, and many others. Another highlight of the past quarter century is Reel to Real – the label’s archival imprint which has celebrated highly acclaimed releases from Roy Brooks Jr., Pepper Adams, Cannonball Adderley, Shelley Manne, Jack McDuff, Charles Tolliver and many more.
The label has also garnered major industry recognition in recent years. In 2023, the Generation Gap Jazz Orchestra earned a GRAMMY Award for Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album for its self-titled debut, marking a landmark achievement for the label. Cellar and its artists have continued to receive widespread acclaim from institutions including the JUNO Awards, DownBeat Critics Poll, and major international media outlets.
Despite its considerable growth, Cellar Music Group has remained grounded in the same philosophy that defined its earliest releases: documenting honest, swinging, real music created by artists with something meaningful to say. “I never imagined the label would grow into what it has become,” says Weeds. “The goal was always simple: make records I believed in, support artists I love, and help keep this music alive. Twenty-five years later, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built and even more excited about where it’s headed.”
To commemorate its 25th anniversary, Cellar Music Group will host a celebratory evening at Jazzcultural in New York City on January 7, 2027. The event will feature three performances highlighting artists from across the label’s roster.
The evening begins at 7:00 p.m. with Ulysses Owens Jr.’s Generation Y, featuring Ulysses Owens Jr. (drums), Anthony Hervey (trumpet), Langston Hughes III (alto saxophone), Tyler Bullock (piano), and Langston Kitchen (bass).
At 9:00 p.m., The Cory Weeds Little Big Band takes the stage with Cory Weeds (tenor saxophone), Steve Kaldestad (alto saxophone), Jacob Chung (tenor saxophone), Franki Basile (baritone saxophone), Marty Scott and Mariel Bildsten (trombones), Bria Skonberg and Jeremy Pelt (trumpets), David Hazeltine (piano), John Lee (bass), and Ulysses Owens Jr. (drums).
The celebration concludes at 10:30 p.m. with the Miki Yamanaka Trio, joined by special guest Nicole Glover, featuring Miki Yamanaka (piano), Nicole Glover (tenor saxophone), Tyrone Allen II (bass), and Jimmy Macbride (drums).
The New York anniversary festivities will continue with a weekend of performances at One Flight Up on January 8 and 9. On January 8, the Tyler Henderson Trio will take the stage, followed by the Jacob Chung Quartet on the 9th. They will perform two sets a night, at 7:00 and 8:30 PM.
Later in the year, the Cory Weeds Little Big Band will also present anniversary performances in Phoenix, AZ on April 9 and 10, with further information forthcoming.
Throughout the anniversary year, Cellar Music Group will continue to spotlight selections from its expansive catalogue while maintaining an active release schedule featuring both established masters and emerging artists.
More information can be found at Cellar Music Group.
Jazzcultural is located at 349 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036. www.smallslive.com
One Flight Up is located at 108 Greenwich St, New York, NY 10006. www.oneflightupjazz.com