Label Guide: ECM

ECM Records was founded in Munich, Germany, in 1969 by Manfred Eicher. While ECM is best known for jazz music, the label has released a wide variety of recordings, and ECM's artists often refuse to acknowledge boundaries between genres. After establishing an early reputation with standard-setting jazz recordings by Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley, Jan Garbarek, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, the Art Ensemble of Chicago and others, ECM began to include contemporary classical and world music in the late 1970s.

The label is still very active today, was named "Record Label of the Year" for seven consecutive years by Down Beat Magazine, and has released more than 1200 albums to date.