FREE National Jukebox Website

Check out the new National Jukebox website, a joint venture between the Library of Congress and Sony Music that will give FREE access to more than 10,000 of Sony-controlled recordings long out of circulation because of commercial or copyright issues. Some of the cool things available: the first blues recording, “Livery Stable Blues,” made in 1917 by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, President Teddy Roosevelt; piano performances by jazz-ragtime pioneer Eubie Blake; and music of the John Philip Sousa Band conducted by Sousa. The blues collection alone is staggering in size! The next phase of the project, will add early discs made for Columbia Records, which also is under the Sony umbrella. The project offers no direct financial gain to Sony, although the company will retain the rights for the commercial release of anything newly coming available.