This chapter provides essential context for all topics considered in this book, offering a comprehensive understanding of the recording industry, the strategies employed by micro-enterprises, and the specific challenges faced by independent jazz labels. It traces the evolution of the recording industry, emphasizing how technological advancements and changes in formats have continually reshaped the role of record labels. The concept of independence is explored in relation to the broader music industry, focusing on the opportunities and challenges it presents for small, independent labels in contrast to major companies. The chapter also examines jazz as a genre, exploring its origins in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, and its integration into the recording industry. It discusses the historical development of jazz labels, their influence on the genre, and the current state of independent jazz labels in the digital age. Finally, the chapter outlines the strategies available to micro-enterprises, including financial, product, distribution, and marketing approaches, highlighting the tools that independent labels can leverage to navigate the evolving music industry.