Black Swan Records

Black Swan Records was an American record label in the 1920s; it was the first to be owned and operated by, and marketed to, African Americans.

Black Swan was founded in May of 1921 by Harry Pace[?] and W.C. Handy, based in Harlem, New York City. Originally the company producing Black Swan was called the Pace Phonograph Corporation, but in 1923 it was renamed the Black Swan Company. The firm was named after 19th century opera star Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield[?], who was known as the Black Swan.

The most commercially successful records by Black Swan were by singers Ethel Waters and Trixie Smith[?]. Fletcher Henderson worked for Black Swan, providing piano accompaniment for many of the singers and leading a small band for the recordings.

In 1924 Black Swan was bought out by Paramount Records.

See also: List of other record labels