Dreyfus Records to Make a Strong Presence at the IAJE Conference with Performances by Gypsy Guitar God Birli Lagrne with the WDR Big Band and Stunning Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc with his Trio
NEW YORK, NY--On Thursday, January 12, 2006, the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) will recognize Francis Dreyfus, the adventurous head of Paris-based jazz label Dreyfus Records, for his contribution, support and promotion of jazz, with the IAJE Lifetime Achievement Award. The Award will be given at the organization's 33rd Annual Conference, the largest annual gathering of the global jazz community, held this year at the Hilton New York and the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers from January 11 - 14.
The acknowledgement from the international jazz community is fitting for a man who uses his relentless and infectious drive to advance the interests of jazz. Francis Dreyfus believes fully in his artists' talents, which is exemplified by the long term relationships he has formed with a small but
luminous roster. His support and guidance has helped to create many of today's most prominent jazz artists. A true labor of love, Dreyfus says “Jazz makes me dream. And so I want to invest in it."
Following the Award presentation at the Hilton Grand Ballroom, Dreyfus recording artist and guitar phenomenon Birli Lagrne will take the stage with the WDR Big Band from Cologne, Germany, with 'Djangology', a tribute to his hero, Django Reinhart. On Friday, January 13th, the critically acclaimed pianist Jean-Michel Pilc will perform with his Trio, featuring Thomas Brameri on bass, and Ari Hoenig on drums, at the Sheraton Metropolitan Ballroom.
Francis Dreyfus's love affair with jazz began at the age of eight when his older brother turned him onto what he calls “the most important music of the century". As a teenager, Dreyfus started three weekend jazz clubs with two friends in the Paris suburb in which they grew up. They knew nothing about the music business - it was purely love - and when they drove into Paris to pick up the musicians, he could not understand why they were so grateful for what he considered an elementary courtesy. He had a lot to learn.
Studying science and law at college, he started publishing music for pocket money. His pockets started to overflow in the early 70's with Dreyfus's discovery of synthesizer-music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre and his debut album, Oxygne. Following the success of his publishing and production business, Dreyfus started his third label, Dreyfus Jazz, in 1991 with the signings of Steve Grossman, Michel Petrucciani, Richard Galliano, Didier Lockwood and Birli Lagrne.
In 1993, Francis Dreyfus founded his American record company, Dreyfus Records, Inc. and released recordings of such illustrious American artists as the Mingus Big Band, Roy Haynes, Benny Golson and Marcus Miller.
Dreyfus Records, Inc. continues Francis's original spirit with releases of pianists Franck Avitabile and Jean-Michel Pilc; amazing guitarists Sylvain Luc and Philip Catherine; singer Sara Lazarus; saxophonist Rosario Giuliani; and the legendary Ahmad Jamal (through their partnership with Birdology label).
For Francis Dreyfus, the Lifetime Achievement Award is not a sign of an end, but of another beginning. Just as jazz does not live only in the past, Dreyfus has been embarking on new adventures, such as production and distribution of musical DVDs (Birli Lagrne; Ahmad Jamal), partnering with nu-jazz/electronica label, Le Maquis, and continuing to seek out new talent and re-introducing legends.
NEW YORK, NY--On Thursday, January 12, 2006, the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) will recognize Francis Dreyfus, the adventurous head of Paris-based jazz label Dreyfus Records, for his contribution, support and promotion of jazz, with the IAJE Lifetime Achievement Award. The Award will be given at the organization's 33rd Annual Conference, the largest annual gathering of the global jazz community, held this year at the Hilton New York and the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers from January 11 - 14.
The acknowledgement from the international jazz community is fitting for a man who uses his relentless and infectious drive to advance the interests of jazz. Francis Dreyfus believes fully in his artists' talents, which is exemplified by the long term relationships he has formed with a small but
luminous roster. His support and guidance has helped to create many of today's most prominent jazz artists. A true labor of love, Dreyfus says “Jazz makes me dream. And so I want to invest in it."
Following the Award presentation at the Hilton Grand Ballroom, Dreyfus recording artist and guitar phenomenon Birli Lagrne will take the stage with the WDR Big Band from Cologne, Germany, with 'Djangology', a tribute to his hero, Django Reinhart. On Friday, January 13th, the critically acclaimed pianist Jean-Michel Pilc will perform with his Trio, featuring Thomas Brameri on bass, and Ari Hoenig on drums, at the Sheraton Metropolitan Ballroom.
Francis Dreyfus's love affair with jazz began at the age of eight when his older brother turned him onto what he calls “the most important music of the century". As a teenager, Dreyfus started three weekend jazz clubs with two friends in the Paris suburb in which they grew up. They knew nothing about the music business - it was purely love - and when they drove into Paris to pick up the musicians, he could not understand why they were so grateful for what he considered an elementary courtesy. He had a lot to learn.
Studying science and law at college, he started publishing music for pocket money. His pockets started to overflow in the early 70's with Dreyfus's discovery of synthesizer-music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre and his debut album, Oxygne. Following the success of his publishing and production business, Dreyfus started his third label, Dreyfus Jazz, in 1991 with the signings of Steve Grossman, Michel Petrucciani, Richard Galliano, Didier Lockwood and Birli Lagrne.
In 1993, Francis Dreyfus founded his American record company, Dreyfus Records, Inc. and released recordings of such illustrious American artists as the Mingus Big Band, Roy Haynes, Benny Golson and Marcus Miller.
Dreyfus Records, Inc. continues Francis's original spirit with releases of pianists Franck Avitabile and Jean-Michel Pilc; amazing guitarists Sylvain Luc and Philip Catherine; singer Sara Lazarus; saxophonist Rosario Giuliani; and the legendary Ahmad Jamal (through their partnership with Birdology label).
For Francis Dreyfus, the Lifetime Achievement Award is not a sign of an end, but of another beginning. Just as jazz does not live only in the past, Dreyfus has been embarking on new adventures, such as production and distribution of musical DVDs (Birli Lagrne; Ahmad Jamal), partnering with nu-jazz/electronica label, Le Maquis, and continuing to seek out new talent and re-introducing legends.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
