TAPPAN ZEE
RECORDS

Independent American label: Tappan Zee Records was a Jazz-Fusions label, named after the Tappan Zee bridge which spans across the Hudson River in the New York suburbs. And was owned by pianist Bob James.  It ran from 1977-84 in the States, but enjoyed a shorter life in these islands; over here, a lot of the company's product, pre-1979, seems to have come out on CBS.  When singles on the Tappan Zee label as such finally appeared, they shared a catalogue series with those of CBS for the most part, though the first 7" issue, at least, used a TZ-0 numbering - the record in question being Wilbert Longmire's, 'Black Is The Colour' (TZ-1; 6/79).  TZ-2, 'Watermelon Man' by Mongo Santamaria, is reported to have been available only as a promo; that too dates from 1979.  The Bob James record shown would appear to date from early 1980 despite the '1979' on the labels.  Needless to say, CBS handled Manufacture and Distribution. Bob" James (born December 25, 1939) in Marshall, Missouri, U.S.A. Is an American two-time Grammy Award-winning smooth jazz keyboardist, arranger and record producer. He is recognized as one of the original founders of smooth jazz, is renowned for the complexity of his arrangements and instrumentals, and his work is frequently sampled. Thanks to Robert Lyons For The Info.

 

79	Longmire Wilbert	Black Is The Colour	TAPPAN ZEE	TZ	1
79	Mongo Santamaria	Watermelon Man	TAPPAN ZEE	TZ	2

 

79	Bob James	Main Theme From Star Trek	TAPPAN ZEE	S CBS	8128
80	Bob James And Earl Klugh	Kari	TAPPAN ZEE	S CBS	8139
80	Bob James	Theme From 'Taxi' (Angela)	TAPPAN ZEE	S CBS	8540

80

Bob James

Shepherds Song / Theme From 'Taxi' (Angela)

TAPPAN ZEE

CBS A

3012

 

80	Bob James	Sign Of The Times	TAPPAN ZEE	CBS A	1608
81	Bob James	The Steamin' Feelin'	TAPPAN ZEE	CBS A	1837

83

Bob James

The Original Theme From Taxi (Angela)

TAPPAN ZEE

A

3533