Chess Records grabó y publicó música blues, rock and roll, rhythm & blues, jazz y soul de intérpretes como Willie Dixon, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Muddy Waters, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Buddy Guy, Howlin' Wolf, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, The Flamingos, Moonglows, Vibrations, Gene Ammons, Cymande, King Fleming, Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm, Ahmad Jamal y el trío de Ramsey Lewis.