Nonesuch
Founded by Jac Holzman in 1964 as a budget classical label, Nonesuch Records began by bringing licensed British and French classical recordings to North American listeners at accessible prices. Its early releases were marketed as “Recordings at the Price of a Quality Paperback,” with packaging designed by Bill Harvey. The label soon moved beyond that original remit, building a catalogue that included music from around the world as well as world-premiere recordings by contemporary composers working in avant-garde, electronic and computer music.
Based in New York City, Nonesuch developed into an American label with a broad musical scope, releasing classical music alongside jazz, folk, experimental work and songwriter-led records. Its roster reflects that range: Makaya McCraven and Yussef Dayes represent its connection to contemporary jazz; Tortoise brings an experimental, rhythm-driven approach; and composers and performers Caroline Shaw and Brad Mehldau extend the label’s classical and jazz traditions. Rhiannon Giddens, Molly Tuttle and the Staves likewise place folk, roots music and close vocal harmony within the catalogue.
Nonesuch became part of the Warner organization when Elektra, its original parent label, was acquired by Warner Communications in 1970. It remains owned by Warner Music Group and is distributed by Warner Records. Robert Hurwitz served as the company’s president from 1984 to 2017, overseeing much of the period in which Nonesuch’s identity expanded across contemporary composition, international music, jazz, folk and adventurous popular forms.
Every new release, straight into your Spotify or Apple Music playlist
Details
- Artists
- 117
- Releases
- 233 tracked
Artists on Nonesuch
- The Black Keys
- Yussef Dayes
- Makaya McCraven
- Rhiannon Giddens
- Brad Mehldau
- Molly Tuttle
- Tortoise
- Caroline Shaw
- Cécile McLorin Salvant
- Justin Robinson
- Mary Halvorson
- Ambrose Akinmusire
- Robert Plant
- Andrew Cyr
- Danni Lee
- Dirty Projectors
- Donnacha Dennehy
- Metropolis Ensemble
- Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
- Punch Brothers
- Ringdown
- DAVÓNE TINES
- Flea
- Hurray For The Riff Raff
- stargaze
- Yasmin Williams
- Anthony Roth Costanzo
- Charles Ives
- Chris Thile
- Contemporaneous
- Dafnis Prieto
- DAVÓNE TINES & THE TRUTH
- Dylan Mattingly
- Henry Threadgill
- Jeremy Denk
- Jules Buckley
- Laurie Anderson
- National Symphony Orchestra Ireland
- Sarah Kirkland Snider
- Silkroad Ensemble
- Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
- Alan Pierson
- Alarm Will Sound
- David Bloom
- Frank Rosaly
- Gustavo Dudamel
- Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti
- John Adams
- Los Angeles Master Chorale
- Sex Mob
- Stefan Jackiw
- Thomas Adès
- Timo Andres
- Vagabon
- Wilco
- Tom Misch
- Chronixx
- Kassa Overall
- Adam Guettel
- Ahmed Diabate
- Balla Diabaté
- Broken Social Scene
- Carminho
- Charlie Stacey
- Colin Currie
- Colin Currie Group
- Crys Matthews
- Darcy James Argue's Secret Society
- Elijah Fox
- Gabriel Kahane
- Heba Kadry
- Iarla Ó Lionáird
- Inbal Segev
- Jaap Van Zweden
- Jonny Greenwood
- Julia Bullock
- Kelli O'Hara
- The Staves
- David Longstreth
- Jeff Parker
- Natalie Merchant
- ETA IVtet
- Josh Johnson
- Los Angeles Philharmonic
- Benego Diakité
- Carolina Chocolate Drops
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra
- Metropole Orkest
- Neba Solo
- Ryan McAdams
- Vijay Iyer
- After the Hunt
- Steve Reich
- Andy Moor
- Bahia Dayes
- Brian D'Arcy James
- Carl Stone
- Eliza McCarthy
- k.d. lang
Discography
Related Artists
- Aaron K Peterson
- Ossia
- Terry Riley
- AfroCubism
- Henryk Górecki
- John Williams
- Gipsy Kings
- Helado Negro
- Dan Bitney
- Matthew Hall
Related Labels
- Easy Eye Sound
- Atlantic
- Warner Records
- International Anthem Recording Company
- New Amsterdam
- Es Paranza Records
- International Anthem Recording Co.
- Etoile Audio
- International Anthem
- None
Common questions
Who is signed to Nonesuch?
The Black Keys, Yussef Dayes, Makaya McCraven, Rhiannon Giddens, and Brad Mehldau all have releases on Nonesuch, alongside 112 other artists in the Tracknack catalogue.
How many artists are on Nonesuch?
Tracknack lists 117 artists with releases on Nonesuch. That counts everyone credited in the catalogue, not only the current roster.
How many releases does Nonesuch have?
Tracknack tracks 233 Nonesuch releases. The most recent is Fantasy & Reveries (2026).
How do I follow new Nonesuch releases?
Follow Nonesuch on Tracknack and every new release is added to a Spotify playlist that updates itself.
