Music Industry News

In Tokyo, a Youtube Contest Brings out Secret Jazz Fanatics

Source: Michael Ricci
February 24, 2010

Tokyo is a city filled with secret jazz fanatics. Theres always a chance that the non-descript, suited salaryman sitting next to you on that train has a room in his apartment thats packed to the ceiling with old Miles Davis and John Coltrane vinyl LPs. To cater to this demand, jazz clubs, coffee shops and bars are scattered across the city like dandelions. The Blue Note Tokyo jazz club, an offshoot of its New York City counterpart, is the reigning ...

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U.K. Govt Steps in to Protect Abbey Road

Source: All About Jazz
February 23, 2010

Following speculation over the sale of Abbey Road studios, the U.K. government has listed the building at Grade II, which gives it a protected status. The 1830s villa at No. 3 Abbey Road in north London was given Grade II status based on the historic merit of the studios. The decision, based on advice from the body English Heritage, was confirmed today (Feb. 23) by culture minister Margaret Hodge. EMI, which owns Abbey Road, announced on Sunday (Feb. 21) that ...

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Opportunities for Indie Filmmakers, Pop Composers

Source: All About Jazz
February 23, 2010

Alt songwriters are cheaper, have emo resonance.

For years it was common for studios to cross-market a film with a well known performer, but today niche artists are landing more tracks in films and reaping the spoils, especially around award season.

Glancing at recent best song nominees, offbeat names like “Bird" York ("In the Deep" from “Crash"), A.R. Rahman ("Jai Ho" from “Slumdog Millionaire") and Marketa Irglova and Glen Hansard ("Falling Slowly") have slipped into the category, elbowing out bigger ...

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Michael Jackson Returns to Disneyland in Captain EO Tribute

Source: Michael Ricci
February 23, 2010

Eight months after Michael Jackson's death, Disneyland on Tuesday will unveil Captain EO Tribute, a revamped and restored music video from the height of the pop stars fame.

Following the success of the This Is It concert film, Disney has decided to dust off the 23-year-old music video for a limited engagement at the Anaheim theme park. The 17-minute Captain EO cost an estimated $30 million to make and featured a star-studded list of credits, including executive producer George Lucas, ...

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Best Original Song Nominee List Missing a Few Songs of Note

Source: Michael Ricci
February 22, 2010

U2, Paul McCartney and Mary J. Blige are among those who miss out on the short list. While T Bone Burnett and Ryan Bingham are up for “Weary Kind (Theme From 'Crazy Heart')."

Oscar noms -- who got snubbed? By most criteria, Paul McCartney and U2 have little reason to regard French composers Reinhardt Wagner and Frank Thomas with envy. But Wagner and Thomas scored an Oscar nomination for best original song -- for “Loin de Paname" from ...

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Michael Giacchino Was a Crazed 9-Year-Old 'Star Wars' Geek

Source: Michael Ricci
February 22, 2010

When Michael Giacchino was in elementary school, all his friends were following the rock bands of the moment, notably Led Zeppelin, the Who and the Beatles.

But Giacchino admits that he was “pretty adverse" to rock 'n' roll. “I hate to admit it," he told me the other day, “but I was listening to a lot of stuff that my parents had. I loved Benny Goodman, Louie Prima, 'West Side Story' and 'The Jungle Book.' To me, Benny Goodman is ...

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Copenhagen's Legendary Jazzhus Montmartre to Re-Open May 2010

Source: Michael Ricci
February 22, 2010

Denmark's once legendary jazz club Montmartre re-opens in May 2010 in its original premises in Copenhagen. During the 1960s and 70s the club served as a European home for American giants like Ben Webster, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz, Kenny Drew and many others.

The historic re-opening is initiated by the 46-year old Paris-based Danish jazz pianist Niels Lan Doky and his friend, media executive and entrepreneur Rune Bech (43). They will operate the club on a non-profit basis.

Re-opening this ...

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Say Goodbye to EMI

Source: Moses Supposes
February 22, 2010

Moses Avalon I know, I know. I'm usually the guy who's very Bullish on the condition of the music business, but this is one story even I cannot spin upward.

To save the beleaguered major label, EMI, its owner, Guy Hands has about a month to come up with about $150 Million to satisfy payroll and debts. In real estate terms, Hands is upside down on his house. He now owes more than he can sell the company for and ...

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