Pizza Express launching own record label for jazz and soul releases

15 March 2023, 13:15 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

Pizza Express is launching PX Records, a record label that will release albums from new and established jazz and soul acts, as well as selections from its archive of live recordings.

Music Week reports that the PX Records releases will be overseen by Absolute Label Services, which is part of Utopia, and will accompany the chain's live music branch PizzaExpress Live, which has hosted concerts from Tony Bennett, Amy Winehouse, Diana Kral and many more.

The first PX Records releases will include live albums on all formats from saxophonist Scott Hamilton, UK soul group Mamas Gun, multi-instrumentalist and producer Edbl, and Native Dancer. There'll also be a selection of legacy recordings from PizzaExpress Live’s archive, which dates back more than 45 years.

Ross Dines, music manager responsible for PX Records, said: "The PX Records vision is to celebrate the prestigious PizzaExpress Live legacy and to share some of the incredible performances that we get to experience across our venues on a daily basis. When listening back to recordings, we’re always struck by both the quality of the audio and by how perfectly they captured the energy and excitement of the show itself. A PizzaExpress record label has long been a dream of the team here and we’re delighted that it’s finally coming to fruition."

PX Records' first two releases, Scott Hamilton Quartet At PizzaExpress Live - In London and Mamas Gun At PizzaExpress Live - In London, will arrive on 14 April.