Blue Arrow Records

HELLO CLEVELAND. Did you know that will be performing on Thursday, June 18th. We have seen Tommy perform several times over the years. Whether he performs solo, duo or with a band, he is always an entertaining and uplifting performer. I know that it is a busy month, but I hope that you consider attending his upcoming show. And be sure to tune into today for Tommy’s interview with Lily during today’s broadcast on THE SWEET AND LOWDOWN radio show from 2-4.

Yesterday, I was gifted some great LA CAVE ephemera by the nephew of Larry Brunner (former manager of the legendary club in Cleveland, LA CAVE). Mike Brunner contacted me about the ephemera after he saw our post about the Velvet Underground at La Cave mural created by

The handbill mailers are truly amazing as is the photograph of the La Cave. In addition to the Velvet Underground, check out the other legendary acts that played there: SOFT MACHINE, SILVER APPLES, jEFF BECK GROUP, TRAFFIC, NAZZ, SPIRIT, BB KING, NEAL YOUNG, THE FUGS, MOTHERS OF INVENTION, etc….

Thank you Mike.

INKY wants you to know that yesterday was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Miles Davis (May 26, 1926), or as some might be inclined to say: “THE BIRTH OF COOL.” To commemorate such a “milestone,” this weekend we are putting out some of his albums from that recent massive and impressive jazz collection that we purchased.

Sonny Rollins died yesterday at the age of 95.

According to the wiki: “Sonny Rollins was famously nicknamed “Newk” because his facial features resembled those of the Brooklyn Dodgers star pitcher Don Newcombe.” (Sorry, I don’t know who that is.)

In a seven-decade career, Rollins recorded more than sixty albums as a leader. Blue Arrow Records recently purchased a massive and impressive jazz collection. While we don’t have all 60 of his recordings, we do have 37 of those releases and they will be available for you to purchase this weekend.

REST IN PEACE, GOOD SIR!
Deepest sympathies to his family and friends.

Please consider attending the Waterloo Alley Cat Project’s 17th Annual Fundraiser on Saturday, May 30th from 6:30-9. It will be held at Waterloo Arts located at 15605 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44110. Pictured here is Raven, one of seven kittens recently rescued by Waterloo Alley Cat Project and all found loving homes! Funds raised help cats like Raven and her siblings.

Blue Arrow Records is honored to be a part of Jake Kelly’s The 230 Mural Project.”  What is that? Well you can find out more by going to
www.cleveland230muralproject.com (https://www.cleveland230muralproject.com/ #/)

We have know and worked with Jake for nearly 20 years.  Over the years, Jake has done many fliers for us; several window paintings; as well the mural on wall in the shop. To see a cool time lapsed video of its making, look for it on YouTube here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj72_ylwomg

With regards to the latest mural, Jake initially came to me in November of 2025 with his idea about celebrating the 230th anniversary of the founding of the city of Cleveland and key events that shaped our history.  He asked to think of what I might want to commemorate.  Being a music-obsessed nerd, I focused on that subject.  Being a “huge fan of the music of The Velvet Underground, I have always been impressed with the fact that they played here many time during their brief existence.  Consequently, I picked that subject.   There’s a famous quote from Brian Eno about the VU that goes: “The Velvet Underground & Nico only sold 30,000 copies, but everyone who bought one started a band.”  That certainly seems to be case here in Cleveland.  The late Cleveland musician Jamie Klimek attended the legendary La Cave shows and actually recorded some of those gigs.  Those tapes have been widely been distribute and bootlegged, one track was actually included on the officially released VU boxset back in the 90s. 

Jake started the mural last week and completed it on Monday. The mural is on the back of our building located at 16001 Waterloo Road and can be viewed from East 160th.
If you own a space here in greater Cleveland and would like to become involved in the 230 Mural Project, please contact Jake ASAP for his schedule is rapidly being booked.

Oops. The previous post was supposed to include these photos as well.

Who likes and or collects POSTCARDS? Did you know that three major label artist included postcards inside of the album releases. The Rolling Stones actually included a set of 12 postcards inside their 1972 release “Exile on Main Street.” The following year, Cat Steven’s album “Foreigner” included a postcard. And then in 1975 Pink Floyd also included a postcard inside of their “Wish You Were Here.” And now BLUE ARROW RECORDS has entered the postcard collection game featuring some candid shots of our very own GANG OF FUR. Pick up one, or two the next time you swing by the shop.

Just a reminder: EVERYDAY IS MOTHER’S DAY.

Much love to all YOU mothers out there.