Founder(s): Jack Kapp – b. June 15, 1901, Chicago, IL
Label Manufacture Location: New York City, NY
Other Information: Kapp, the eldest of the Kapp brothers, founded Decca Records in 1934. In response to the strains of the Great Depression, which threatened the financial well-being of several labels, Kapp dramatically lowered record prices to buoy sales until Decca became one of the leading American labels by 1938. Decca’s growth under Kapp’s leadership included an influx of swing and jazz-influenced pop music that was characterized by clear enunciation, melodies, and refrains.
Upon his death in 1949, Kapp’s brother David became Decca’s president.
Sources:
Fishman, Karen. “Jack Kapp Collection.” Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division, Library of Congress. Library of Congress: Washington, D.C., 2008. Web. 19 Apr. 2013. <http://memory.loc.gov/mbrs/eadmbrs/eadpdfmbrsrs/2008/rs008001.pdf >.
Kingsbury, Paul. The Encyclopedia of Country Music: The Ultimate Guide to the Music. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print.
Strötbaum, Hugo. “Jacob ‘Jack’ Kapp.” Recording Pioneers. N.d. Web. 20 Apr. 2013. <http://www.recordingpioneers.com/RP_KAPP2.html >.
Historical Music of Folk Dance 