Blue Notes Records, the record label known for defining nearly every era of jazz and its key figures, will be paid tribute to in ENTER THE BLUE.

The press release follows:

Media Release -- Z2 Comics has come to define the depths of possibility in the relationship between music and graphic fiction, proving that great art is not defined by format, and the marriage between mediums can elevate the experience for all. This is perhaps best exemplified by their latest announcement of Enter the Blue, a fictional story inspired by the history of one of the greatest houses of sound, as written and drawn by Dave Chisholm, known for his incredible Charlie Parker graphic novel released by Z2 in 2020.

"As someone who has performed and obsessed over this music some folks call "jazz" for most of my life, I've always loved Blue Note Records. The incredible performances, the amazing sounds, the impeccable graphic design--every new Blue Note album that found its way into my life guaranteed a great listen" says Dave Chisholm. "The history of Blue Note in so many ways follows the history of this music. From Sidney Bechet to Miles & Coltrane, to Ornette and Herbie, to present-day giants like Ambrose Akinmusire--virtually every single major figure in this history has recorded for them in some way or another."

"With a musician's sensibility and a poet's hand, Dan Chisholm has crafted a rare peek behind the curtain into the inner workings of jazz. 'Enter the Blue' eloquently explains the fearless creativity, innovative spirit, and artistic depth that has characterized the Blue Note tradition since 1939. We're honored to participate with Z2 and Dan in this awesome undertaking" says Don Was, President of Blue Note Records.

Chisholm continues "It was a profound honor to be asked to write and draw a graphic novel for Blue Note Records. When Z2 Comics first approached me about it, I assumed that Blue Note wanted a nonfiction account of the history of the label, so that was the pitch I had prepared. I was both surprised and excited when Blue Note Records president Don Was and crew let me know that they wanted a work of fiction--something that spoke to the past and the future of this music. Immediately, in that very meeting, my imagination ignited, and the sparks of a story started--a story involving the disappearance of the wise old mentor and his student's desperate attempts to find and rescue him, along with her subsequent deep dive into the secret history of Blue Note Records--and some kind of mysterious phenomenon kindled by this music--something whispered at jam sessions called 'The Blue'."

What begins as one woman's search for her own artistic courage unravels into a stunning look into what jazz music can teach us about our search for the truest versions of ourselves…

For decades, seasoned players on the scene have spoken in whispered tones about The Blue: a mysterious meeting place for jazz history - a place where ghosts from this music's storied past spring to life for those courageous enough to enter.

When Jessie Choi's mentor Jimmy Hightower collapses at a gig and loses consciousness, she finds herself reluctantly pulled back into the jazz scene she abandoned years earlier. In investigating the music and mystery behind Jimmy's comatose state, every thread leads to the same question: is Jimmy somehow trapped in this enigma known as The Blue? In her search to save her teacher, Jessie rubs shoulders with legends, uncovers the secret history of Blue Note Records, and faces her own deepest fears.

Chisholm concludes "Enter the Blue came together in the best, most organic way possible, and is from the deepest place in my heart. Having written, drawn, lettered and colored this work, I put everything I had into it. Enter the Blue is the best work I've ever done and I can't wait to share it with the world."

Enter the Blue is written and drawn by Dave Chisholm (Chasin' the Bird, Instrumental) and will be released in a soft and hardcover edition in finer comic shops and bookstores alike in January 2021 and is also available to preorder now in these and a gorgeous, oversized slipcase deluxe format featuring a gorgeous print set. For more information, visit https://z2comics.com/bluenote.

About Blue Note Records:
Blue Note Records was founded when a German immigrant named Alfred Lion produced his first recording session with two boogie woogie pianists on January 6, 1939 in New York City. Blue Note has gone on to represent The Finest In Jazz, tracing the entire history of the music from Boogie Woogie, Hot Jazz and Swing, through Bebop, Hard Bop, Post-Bop, Soul Jazz, Avant-Garde, and Fusion, and into Jazz's numerous modern day incarnations. Blue Note's legendary catalog includes a true Who's Who of Jazz history: Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Horace Silver, Art Blakey, Jimmy Smith, Dexter Gordon, Grant Green, Lou Donaldson, Donald Byrd, Lee Morgan, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Ornette Coleman, and many more.

Blue Note has since established itself as the most respected and longest running Jazz label in the world, remaining home to some of the most prominent stars and cutting-edge innovators in Jazz today while at the same time broadening its horizons to include quality music in many genres. Under the leadership of current President Don Was, Blue Note has renewed its dedication to Lion's original vision that "any particular style of playing which represents an authentic way of musical feeling is genuine expression." Lion's words still ring true and provide a blueprint that includes Robert Glasper's visionary melding of Jazz, R&B, and Hip-Hop; eclectic singers from Norah Jones to Gregory Porter; and the full spectrum of instrumental Jazz artists from legends like Wayne Shorter, Charles Lloyd, and Dr. Lonnie Smith to future legends including Ambrose Akinmusire, Joel Ross, and Immanuel Wilkins. Blue Note Records is one of the flagship labels of the Capitol Music Group and Universal Music Group.

About Z2 Comics:
Z2 Comics is the premier destination for official music-related graphic novels, created in partnership with top-tier artists, musicians, directors and pop-culture icons. Distributed globally via Simon & Schuster, Z2 has collaborated with such diverse artists as Blondie, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury, Gorillaz, Machine Gun Kelly, Sublime,Yungblud, Cypress Hill, Babymetal, Major Lazer, Rico Nasty and Alter Bridge as well as debut comic works by Grammy-nominated artists Sturgill Simpson, Poppy and Anthrax. Additionally, the company has tapped top talent for the official graphic biographies of such pop-culture legends as The Grateful Dead, Beethoven and Charlie "Bird" Parker. In 2021, Z2 will publish graphic novel tie-ins to essential albums by The Doors, Ronnie James Dio, King Diamond, All Time Low with many more to be announced in the coming months.