Music Industry News

Can Jazz Be Saved?

Source: Michael Ricci
August 8, 2009

The audience for America’s great art form is withering away. In 1987, Congress passed a joint resolution declaring jazz to be “a rare and valuable national treasure.” Nowadays the music of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis is taught in public schools, heard on TV commercials and performed at prestigious venues such as New York’s Lincoln Center, which even runs its own nightclub, Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola. Here’s the catch: Nobody’s listening. No, it’s not quite that bad—but ...

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Warner Music Reports Mounting Losses

Source: HypeBot
August 7, 2009

In a report to shareholders this morning, Warner Music Group revealed that in the quarter ending June 30th, 2009, total revenue decreased 9.3% and operating income from continuing operations declined 51%. Total losses from continuing operations swelled to $37 million from $9 in the prior year quarter.

WMG improved its financial position during the quarter with a $1.1 billion offering of secured notes which the company used to pay off previous loans. But the new new notes carry a hefty ...

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New S.F. Music Venue: Coda

Source: JamBase
August 6, 2009

New Live Music Venue & Restaurant - Coda - Debuts in San Francisco's Mission District

Scott Amendola On Tuesday, August 4 a new music venue/restaurant, Coda, opened in San Francisco's Mission District at 1710 Mission St. at Duboce Avenue. Coda, a musical term meaning the place you return to, is an intimate 70-seat restaurant and 200-person venue that will predominately feature jazz music. The new establishment will serve dinner, a fresh blend of Northern California and Mediterranean cuisine, and music ...

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Vote: Is It OK to Have Ads Inside CD Booklets?

Source: HypeBot
August 5, 2009

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Buckingham Palace Makes Jazz List

Source: Michael Ricci
August 5, 2009

Buckingham Palace has been included on a shortlist of locations crucial to the development of jazz in Britain, part of a competition to pick the most important British site in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Miles Davis album Kind of Blue, the BBC reported. The British royal family's London residence made the list, along with the Hammersmith Palais and celebrated clubs like Ronnie Scott’s, because Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band played there in ...

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Herbie Hancock Named New Los Angeles Philharmonic Creative Chair for Jazz

Source: All About Jazz
August 5, 2009

Grammy-winning pianist Herbie Hancock will take over for bassist Christian McBride next year as the Los Angeles Philharmonic's creative chair for jazz.

The 69-year-old Hancock says the two-year stint involves choosing artists to perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.

Hancock says he wants to integrate jazz with other genres, from dance to film and computer graphics.

Hancock is also working on a new album he describes as “peace through global collaboration," with guests including Chaka ...

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Another New Model: Label Signed by Artist

Source: HypeBot
August 4, 2009

The Blue Scholars Sign Label Duck Down It's not a typo - Seattle's Blue Scholars did not sign to the sign to the indie hip hop label Duck Down label. Instead, the band hired the label to handle marketing and other functions for several of their releases. Using money from an innovative partnership with Caffe Vita Coffee Co., who will also handle local distribution, the band hired Duck Down. According ...

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Stephen Colbert: Black Eyed Peas "Missed so Many Advertunities!"

Source: HypeBot
August 4, 2009

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