The label's first CD, to be released on January 25, will be Mountain Passages, featuring NOMAD, one of Douglas's many ensembles. Forthcoming releases include a duo recording with Douglas and pianist Misha Mengelberg and albums by guitarist Jeff Parker and trumpeter-drummer Shane Endsley's group KneeBody.

Douglas, the winner of the last five Downbeat polls for best trumpet, has recorded 21 albums as a leader since 1993, the last five with RCA/Bluebird. "I was looking for a way to continue producing recordings my own way, in my own time," he said in a statement. "I decided that the way to find that creative freedom was to start my own business."

The new label will focus on jazz and world music, but its artists, Douglas said, will drive its evolution. "I'm always excited to hear something new that connects, music that has something personal to say that is unique to that individual, as well as having something universal to offer," he said.