Basin Street Records was founded in 1997 by Mark Samuels and Tom Thompson.

The label arose out of an agreement to release a live album for New Orleans jazz trumpeter and vocalist Kermit Ruffins, who was managed by Thompson.

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina flooded the Basin Street Records office and Mark Samuels's home.

Samuels continued to operate the company from "computers in coffee shops" while rebuilding his home and office in New Orleans.

The roster includes Kermit Ruffins, Los Hombres Calientes, Jason Marsalis, Irvin Mayfield, Michael White, The Headhunters, Henry Butler, Jon Cleary, Theresa Andersson, Jeremy Davenport, Rebirth Brass Band, and Davell Crawford.