Atlantic Records is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. The perfect opportunity to look back at the history of this legendary label. Founded in New York in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun – joined by his brother Nesuhi in 1955 – and Herb Abrahamson, Atlantic quickly established itself on the music scene by giving a voice to black American music, which was still largely under-represented on the major labels. With Erroll Garner, Professor Longhair and above all Ray Charles, the label climbed to the top of the charts and became one of the most influential independent labels in the 1950s.

In 1967, it was bought by Warner Records, who then founded the giant WEA (Warner-Elektra-Atlantic). It was during this same year that Claude Nobs tried his luck, turning up unannounced at the label’s offices. It was a daring gamble, but one that paid off: he landed an interview with Nesuhi Ertegun. They hit it off immediately. They both shared a passion for music… and an attachment to Switzerland, where the Ertegun brothers had lived during their childhood, when their father was posted to the Turkish embassy in Berne. This meeting marks the beginning of the historic partnership between Atlantic and the Montreux Jazz Festival.