Featured artists include Gene Ammons, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Eric Dolphy, Dexter Gordon, Lee Konitz/Lennie Tristano, MJQ, Thelonious Monk, James Moody and Sonny Rollins.

Produced by Nick Phillips, the compilation of instrumental imporvisational music features music by a who's who of the jazz world in the '50s and '60s.

When producer Bob Weinstock founded Prestige Records in 1949, little did he know that his tiny independent recording company would become iconic in documenting an era when jazz was in its golden age. While the label also recorded blues and folk music in its lifetime, Prestige was primarily known as the label that stood for high-premium jazz throughout its active history. Its legacy continued first as a reissue imprint with Fantasy Records and today with the Concord Music Group.

The Very Best of Prestige Records opens a wide window on a 20-year period when jazz made great evolutionary strides, from bebop to soul jazz. Phillips says, “As we toast the 60th anniversary of Prestige, we offer this collection as an appetizer, knowing full well that it can’t help but whet your appetite for much, much more of the tasty and ageless musical offerings available from the iconic label.”

In addition, the Prestige birthday celebration will continue with three series of Rudy Van Gelder Remasters reissues as well as audio podcasts where the legendary engineers reflects on the early days of the Prestige label and its various artists.

Also planned is Prestige Records: The Collected Album Cover Art, published by noted music historian Geoff Gans. To be sold through the Concord Music Group Web site, the book will showcase the most memorable Prestige album covers.