Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff had two main things in common. Both were Jews who’d fled Germany, and both loved jazz, though their initial fervor was for traditional New Orleans sounds and boogie-woogie piano. But from the time they founded Blue Note Records, Lion and Wolff remained at the forefront of groundbreaking and edgy developments in every jazz sphere. Blue Note has managed the difficult task of spotlighting artistry while also selling enough copies to stay in business through jazz’s multiple changes and shifting audience sensibilities. Director Sophie Huber’s Blue Note Records — Beyond the Notes, the latest entry in the Belcourt’s fabulous Music City Mondays series, takes a look at the numerous innovative and vital recordings issued throughout the label’s 80-year history, and also includes conversations with longtime greats such as Herbie Hancock (who recently appeared at the Ryman) and Wayne Shorter, plus newer names like Robert Glasper and Norah Jones. It blends rare archival footage with peeks inside recent recording sessions, and offers a vital and comprehensive look at one of the nation’s greatest record companies — of any genre. 7:30 p.m. at the Belcourt, 2102 Belcourt Ave. RON WYNN
Music City Mondays : Blue Note Records — Beyond the Notes
