DMV Hustlers Exclusive: Atlantic Records was founded in WASHINGTON DC???

[Features]

In 1934, a young man from Turkey named Ahmet Ertegun moved to the Turkish Embassy in Washington DC. Ahmet became fascinated with Black America, above all, with its music. He was heavily influenced by Cleo Payne, the Turkish embassy's black janitor. He taught Ertegun to box and took him to fights. He introduced him to beer joints, and he gave him an appetite for soul food.

10 years later Ahmet's father died so Ahmet's mother moved back to Turkey. Ahmet wanted to stay in the states and continued to live in DC to do post graduate work at Georgetown University. Ahmet became friends with Duke Ellington and decided to put on the first integrated concert in Washington D.C. Having trouble finding a venue where they could hold the event they held it at the Jewish Community Center, which was the only place that would allow a mixed audience and mixed band.

A whole host of new record companies sprang up, run by entrepreneurs with almost no musical knowledge. "I met these guys, and I realized that none of them knew anything about the music," says Ertegun. "One of them had been...a jukebox operator who thought, 'Well, we're having trouble getting records so we might as well make some ourselves.' I met all these people and they had no idea of songs, they had no idea of musicans." On the slender basis of "if they can make it, I can make it." (the game hasn't changed!!)

Ahmet spent a great deal of time at a local record store called Waxie Maxies. It was owned by Max Silverman, who took a liking in Ahmet. Ahmet learned a great deal from Max about the record business. Deciding to start a label, Ahmet talked Max Silverstein into backing him. There was to be two labels Jubilee for Gospel and Quality for jazz and R&B.

After recording a couple records that didn't sell Silverman wanted out. Ahmet then created a new label with partner Herb Abramson. The name Atlantic wasn't the first choice for the company. It seems every name they came up with had already been taken. Hearing of a label called Pacific Jazz they decided to call themselves Atlantic.

Imagine if Max Silverman never wanted out. A DC native would be part owner in one of todays most successful labels...

Ahmet built a great company. He is a legend in the music industry. He passed away in 2006.

Special Thanks to DMV native Greg Calloway who told us this story and gave us the picture of that painting. Greg said he had DMV artist Peekaso do the painting in memory of Ahmet who he had the opportunity to meet him several times on "The Biz" and while working with Atlantic. Greg said he gave the painting to Lyor Cohen who loves it.

RIP Ahmet.

[Jane Doe]

Wow! I knew Capital Records was a DC label first but didn't know bout Atlantic. You learn something new everyday.

Jane Doe
www.anotherjanedoe.com

[Go Go Head]

atlantic need to sign a gogo band!

[James Jones]

ha - thats the biggest thing out the dmv since redskins last superbowl vic!

[jahDC]

WOW SEEE IMM HAVE TO GO PULL SOME LP OUT DADDIES COLLECTION...AND YES WAXIE MAXIE WAS THE PLACE.......EWE I FEEL OLD TEE HEE

[Chill]

dude max still alive?

[hip.hop.]

i remember waxie maxies

[DMV's Finest]

i never knew that, thats really cool