ABOUT ARKADIA JAZZ – “The Artists’ Choice”
Founded by Bob Karcy in 1996, the highly acclaimed, multi Grammy Nominated, Jazz record label Arkadia Jazz features music from its diverse roster of Artists (some of the brightest stars in Jazz) such as Billy Taylor, Benny Golson, Django Reinhardt, Joanne Brackeen, David Liebman and the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, as well as acclaimed guest artists such as Pat Metheny, Shirley Horn, Nicholas Payton, Eric Reed, Branford Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Lee Konitz, Branford Marsalis, Kurt Elling, Lee Konitz, and Chris Potter. (continued below)

Introducing new recordings by exceptional jazz talent, our Arkadia Futurestars. such as T.K. Blue, Nigel Clark, Uli Lenz, Mary Pearson, Nova Bossa Nova, Pe de Boi, Kenny Drew, Jr., David Lahm and the Moscow Sax Quintet also adds new blood and a unique musical vision for Arkadia Jazz, the flagship label of Arkadia Records.
Early on, Arkadia Jazz formed its own recording group, the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars, the brainchild of Bob Karcy, Producer, musician, Founder and CEO of Arkadia Records. Karcy’s original goal was to establish a showcase for the Artists on Arkadia Records, harnessing their creative brilliance, along with select guest musicians representing some of Jazz’s biggest stars, to create an unparalleled series of newly recorded, thematically unified, studio albums. This would also increase awareness and recognition of the artists on Arkadia, helping them expand beyond their hard core fans. So far, ten albums have been recorded and three more are in production. The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars albums have been honored with three Grammy Award Nominations.
It is easy to hear why the amazing sounds, compositions, and improvisations of Arkadia’s Artists make Arkadia Jazz “The Artists’Choice.” Arkadia Jazz seeks not only to enhance the Jazz world with a continuing series of top-notch releases from exciting creative Jazz Artists, but to help expand the Jazz universe by releasing soulful, innovative, accessible, and uncompromising sounds for music lovers everywhere. Arkadia’s catalog is available digitally from virtually all music streaming and download services, such as Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, Deezer, YouTube, Pandora, etc. All items are also available online and in select stores in CD and DVD formats.
Here’s what the critics have said about Arkadia Jazz:
“Arkadia Jazz, one of the hippest and most uncompromising labels on today’s scene.” – Bob Young, Boston Herald “
…someone’s doing something right at Arkadia Jazz.– Billboard
“Some 15 years ago…Bob Karcy started V.I.E.W. Video, a cutting edge company that brought prerecorded video culture into the homes of thousands. Now Arkadia Jazz…(Karcy’s) fledgling label is off and running without a hitch.” – David Zych, JazzTimes
“Record labels often have been able to make a name for themselves in the way they treat jazz. Now, Bob Karcy wants his Arkadia Jazz to become a place where jazz musicians can produce recordings that make use of current advances in visual and audio technology. He also wants the products to be part of a marketing strategy that sometimes is lacking in the jazz business. Perhaps the best thing about Karcy’s effort, though, is his taste in musicians.” – Bob Karlovits, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
“With spring training in baseball and new labels in jazz, hope springs eternal. Arkadia is a brand new name on the street, and on the evidence of (Billy Taylor’s) Music Keeps Us Young, it could become an impact player. The presentation is first-class, with a four-color fold-out insert full of photos and documentation including insightful liner notes by Ira Gitler.” -Thomas Conrad, Down Beat
“For a relatively new label, Arkadia is certainly making a resounding splash, amplifying excellent releases by Billy Taylor and Benny Golson with these vibrant new sessions by the Moscow Sax Quintet and Nova Bossa Nova.”– Jack Bowers, Marge Hofacre’s Jazz News
“One of the most exciting developments in jazz has been the recent cropping-up of new labels. A new Gotham-based outfit dubbed Arkadia Records is leading the pack with three powerful sessions featuring jazz masters. Producers at Arkadia have done their homework with first-rate mixing, clever graphics and thoughtful liner note segments. In addition, they have cleverly paired veteran stars with talented new faces, a practice that should help them sign quality musicians for their future productions.” – Nick Catalano, Chelsea Clinton News
“…good jazz the way it’s meant to be.” – Glenn Astarita, All About Jazz
“..zesty, delightful, inventive-yet-accessible recordings..” – Al Lubrejewski, JazzErie Notes