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What started as an avenue to promote his live music venue, Cory Weeds, a tenor sax player turned his dream into 20 years of jazz hits on his Cellar Live Label.

Two decades ago, Corey Weeds asked his father for a loan to pursue his dream of opening up his very own jazz club. Most people assumed his dream would be short-lived, however, little did they know how far this tenor sax player would take his vision.

The unique Cellar Jazz Club was a long way from the usual spaces east-side musicians spent their time. The club was located on West Broadway in a space that was previously owned by a well-known pizzeria. Before it closed its doors in 2014, the club was named as one of the world’s best jazz clubs by Downbeat Magazine.

Those accolades would be enough for many, however, Weeds didn’t stop there. In 2001 he created Cellar Live which celebrates 20 years of success this year and is going stronger than ever. In fact, Weeds predicts 2021 will be its biggest year for releases on its three platforms- Cellar Live, Cellar Music and Reel to Real Recordings.

“I joke that I’ve been trying to put this label out of business for the past two decades, but what started out as a live label to compliment the Cellar sort of turned into an international label that continues to thrive and adjust to all the changes in the music business.” -Cory Weeds

With over 200 albums in its catalogue, Cellar Music Group doesn’t plan on slowing down anytime soon. Pandemic or not-Weeds promises 2021 to be full of new releases from local, national and international acts.

A big collaboration is at works this year with American trumpeter Jeremy Pelt. Designed to highlight the musical talents of Black artists, Weeds felt this partnership was the best way to support the Black Lives Matter movement.

“The Cellar Music Group recognizes that jazz is not only a music native to America, but that the progenitors of this music are the very lives that are being threatened daily. This initiative began in the spirit of allyship and to amplify Black voices and their stories.”-Cory Weeds

Keep an eye out for Cellar Lives’ 20th-anniversary releases and events through 2021. A number of the artists who have recorded for the label can be seen at this year’s TD Vancouver International Jazz Festival.