Z2 Comics And The Legendary Jazz Label Blue Note Takes You ‘Into The Blue.’

The latest original graphic novel from Z2 is Into The Blue by Dave Chisholm, a fictional tale inspired by the history of one of the legendary Jazz labels, Blue Note.

Anyone who knows jazz, knows Blue Note. It’s a label that’s defined every era of jazz. And Enter The Blue tells the tale of the label, written and drawn by Chisholm, who’s already got form on this sort of thing with his 2020 Z2 graphic novel, ‘Chasin’ The Bird‘, the tale of Charlie Parker’s time in LA.

“As someone who has performed and obsessed over this music some folks call “jazz” for most of my life, I’ve always loved Blue Note Records. The incredible performances, the amazing sounds, the impeccable graphic design–every new Blue Note album that found its way into my life guaranteed a great listen. The history of Blue Note in so many ways follows the history of this music. From Sidney Bechet to Miles & Coltrane, to Ornette and Herbie, to present-day giants like Ambrose Akinmusire–virtually every single major figure in this history has recorded for them in some way or another.”

“It was a profound honor to be asked to write and draw a graphic novel for Blue Note Records. When Z2 Comics first approached me about it, I assumed that Blue Note wanted a nonfiction account of the history of the label, so that was the pitch I had prepared. I was both surprised and excited when Blue Note Records president Don Was and crew let me know that they wanted a work of fiction–something that spoke to the past and the future of this music. Immediately, in that very meeting, my imagination ignited, and the sparks of a story started–a story involving the disappearance of the wise old mentor and his student’s desperate attempts to find and rescue him, along with her subsequent deep dive into the secret history of Blue Note Records–and some kind of mysterious phenomenon kindled by this music–something whispered at jam sessions called ‘The Blue’.” – Dave Chisholm.

In Enter The Blue, Chisholm takes the spirit of jazz and the spirit of Blue Note and tells a tale of a woman’s search for her own artistic courage that spirals out into an exploration of what jazz music can teach us about our search for the truest versions of ourselves.

Or, as Z2 put it in their PR…

“For decades, seasoned players on the scene have spoken in whispered tones about The Blue: a mysterious meeting place for jazz history – a place where ghosts from this music’s storied past spring to life for those courageous enough to enter.

When Jessie Choi’s mentor Jimmy Hightower collapses at a gig and loses consciousness, she finds herself reluctantly pulled back into the jazz scene she abandoned years earlier. In investigating the music and mystery behind Jimmy’s comatose state, every thread leads to the same question: is Jimmy somehow trapped in this enigma known as The Blue? In her search to save her teacher, Jessie rubs shoulders with legends, uncovers the secret history of Blue Note Records, and faces her own deepest fears.”

Enter the Blue will be released in a soft and hardcover edition to comic shops and bookstores in January 2021, but, as is normal for Z2, can be pre-ordered right now from the Z2 website, with the addition of one of those oversized slipcase deluxe format volumes.

“With a musician’s sensibility and a poet’s hand, Dave Chisholm has crafted a rare peek behind the curtain into the inner workings of jazz. ‘Enter the Blue’ eloquently explains the fearless creativity, innovative spirit, and artistic depth that has characterized the Blue Note tradition since 1939. We’re honored to participate with Z2 and Dan in this awesome undertaking” – Don Was, President of Blue Note Records.

And to end… some of Chisholm’s wonderful work from Chasin’ The Bird…