Founded by producer Manfred Eicher in 1969, ECM Records has released more than 1 thousand albums that span many idioms. Establishing an early reputation with standard-setting jazz recordings by Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley, Jan Garbarek, Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, The Art Ensemble of Chicago and more, ECM began issuing contemporary compositions in the late '70s - including Steve Reich's landmark "Music for 18 Musicians". ECM New Series was launched in 1984, and has become a platform for recordings of composed music that ranges from the pre-Baroque era to the present day. The label's distinguished performers include Kim Kashkashian, András Schiff, Gidon Kremer as well as The Hilliard Ensemble.