Valuable Jazz & Blues Records

Valuable Jazz & Blues Records

Jazz and blues records, especially original pressings from labels like Blue Note, Prestige, and early Columbia, are among the most sought-after vinyl on the market. Small original press runs and audiophile demand keep prices high.

Key High-Value Jazz & Blues Titles

  • Hank Mobley – Blue Note 1568 – One of the most renowned Blue Note rarities, often selling in the five-figure range in top condition.
  • Early Blue Note and Prestige first pressings from the 1950s and 1960s – Many titles can be worth hundreds or thousands, depending on condition.
  • Rare blues 78 RPM records by artists like Robert Johnson, Charley Patton, and others can reach extremely high values when authenticated and well-preserved.

Why Jazz & Blues Pressings Are So Valuable

Many jazz and blues titles were pressed in relatively small quantities and played heavily by their original owners. Finding clean, original copies has become increasingly difficult, which pushes prices up.

Here are 25 vinyl records — many original pressings — that are widely regarded by collectors as extremely valuable / high-demand.

# Album (Artist / Title) / Notable Details
1 Blue Train — John Coltrane (Original Blue Note 1577, early New York label pressings) jazzcollector.com+1
2 Blue Note 1568 — Hank Mobley (Original ’57 pressing, mono) — among “most valuable Blue Note records.” LondonJazzCollector+1
3 Cool Struttin’ — Sonny Clark (Original mono Blue Note 1588) LondonJazzCollector+1
4 Original first-press Blue Note titles from legends like Lee Morgan, Sonny Clark, Jackie McLean — many of these (’50s–’60s hard-bop era) consistently fetch high prices. LondonJazzCollector+1
5 Early pressings / original copies of rare blues 78 RPM records / jazz 78s such as King Oliver — extremely collectible when condition & completeness match. We Buy Records Chicago+1
6 Rare private pressings or limited-run free / spiritual jazz LPs, e.g. some works by Sun Ra or small-run 70s jazz releases — demand from niche collectors remains high. ValueYourMusic.com+1
7 Early LPs from major jazz labels (Blue Note, Prestige, Riverside, etc.) that remain in near-mint or excellent condition, especially mono-originals. jazzcollector.com+1
8 Rare live-session pressings, promos, or “private issue” jazz albums — very small supply pushes value up. ValueYourMusic.com+1
9 Rare blues LPs or early-era recordings that cross over to jazz/blues collectors — especially original country/blues 78s and early pressings. (Less consistent data, but historically collectible.)
10 Jazz LPs with legendary personnel and early masters (e.g. early works from Coltrane, Miles Davis-era contemporaries, underrated but rare hard-bop artists) when original pressing and good condition align.
11 First-press or early-press “holy grail” LPs from smaller labels (e.g. rare Prestige, Riverside, or independent labels from 1950s–1970s) when scarcity is high.
12 Rare jazz-funk, soul-jazz, or avant-garde jazz vinyl from 1960s–70s that had limited pressing — still sought after by niche collectors.
13 Original mono LPs from legendary jazz albums (mono pressings are usually more valuable than later stereo/ reissues).
14 High-quality pressings with excellent provenance, original jackets, inserts, and no damage — collectors pay premium when copy is “complete and clean.”
15 Albums that saw little reissue, or LPs from defunct small labels, where original vinyl is the rare surviving format.
16 Early “hard-bop” LPs with top session musicians — due to historical importance and limited supply, demand stays strong.
17 Jazz albums with crossover appeal (soul, blues, early fusion) that attract both jazz and blues collectors — broadens buyer pool.
18 Rare international pressings of classic American jazz albums (European, Japanese, etc.) — often more scarce than US pressings.
19 Jazz “collector’s editions,” test pressings, promo copies, or limited-run numbered pressings — when they surface, demand spikes.
20 Early jazz LPs pressed on original vinyl stock (pre-1970s) with minimal wear and original sleeves — old-stock survivors are prized.
21 Blues / Jazz crossover LPs — recordings that blend genres, often overlooked but rare, now rising in demand among collectors.
22 Complete discographies or boxed sets from legendary jazz artists notably scarce or from small labels — valuable when original.
23 Rare 10-inch jazz LP pressings (common in the early 1950s). Less common than 12” LPs now, hence collectible.
24 Artifact-level jazz records: rare test pressings, acetate pressings, proofs — extremely rare, fetch high auction prices.
25 Lesser-known but historically significant recordings (regional jazz blues, early blues-jazz fusion, rare releases) — high risk/reward value potential.

For cross-genre comparisons, explore the complete Top 100 Valuable Vinyl Records ranking.