The CANDID jazz label was founded in New York City in 1960 as a subsidiary of Cadence Records, owned by Archie Bleyer.

The jazz writer and civil rights activist Nat Hentoff[1][2] was the label's (A&R) director and, consequently, he attempted to create a catalog that represented the prevalent jazz music of the day.

Hentoff also worked with the graphic designer and photographer Frank Gauna to create Candid's distinctive album covers.

[3] Candid's catalog included Don Ellis, Abbey Lincoln, Booker Little, Charles Mingus, and Cecil Taylor.

The new Candid Records (UK) catalogue expanded to include Greg Abate, Kenny Barron, Luis Bonilla, Art Hodes, Lee Konitz, Dave Liebman, Shorty Rogers and Bud Shank, Mongo Santamaría, Shirley Scott and a host of new jazz talent.