About Us

Native Language Music was started as an independent contemporary jazz record label back in 1996 when Theo Bishop and Joe Sherbanee put together the beginnings of a musical partnership in sunny Southern California. Their intent, plainly put, was to make great music supporting great artists - artists that had their own unique musical style or 'native language.'

The label's first recordings were made like most first recordings by independent artists - in bedrooms, garages, and living rooms with some friends. The label slowly grew to include its first major signing of contemporary jazz saxophonist Jeff Kashiwa, whose debut release with Native Language Music shot to the top of the radio and sales charts in just six short weeks. Since then, the label has seen a wealth of great contemporary instrumental releases from Jeff and labelmates Four80East, Dan Siegel, Warren Hill, Turning Point, and Andy Snitzer.

In 2004, Native Language Music made its first serious foray into mainstream jazz with the signing of father-and-son saxophonists Gerry Niewood and Adam Niewood, and vocalist Sara Gazarek, whose debut release garnered some pretty serious attention in the press and at radio. Its success in this arena broadened the label's scope and vision for the future, and in 2008, produced and released critically acclaimed albums from vocalist Erin Bode, pianist Josh Nelson, and trumpeter Tony Guerrero.

Today, Native Language Music, based in Southern California, continues to be distributed to more than a dozen countries worldwide and online as it looks for the next wave of innovation and identity in the recorded music industry.