In 1939, Alfred Lion and Francis Wolff, two young émigrés from Berlin, founded the legendary jazz label Blue Note Records in New York. The label would dedicate itself exclusively to the recording of American jazz music, and went on to develop its own unmistakeable recording style and sound.

Blue Note Records discovered and produced an impressive roster of international jazz stars, including Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk and Quincy Jones. At a time when African-American musicians in the USA were discriminated against and ostracised, Blue Note Records respected them as artists and equals. Not only did the label value their talents, it also gave them a much-needed platform.

It Must Schwing! tells the moving story of two friends who shared a passionate love of jazz, and of their profound belief in equality and freedom for every single human being.

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