Music Industry News

Notes from the Net: Ian Carr Mourned, Linda Presgrave Reviewed, Eric Person on the Road, Plus News, Reviews and More

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
March 2, 2009

Here's this week's compilation of news and links related to jazz, improvisation, and creative music in St. Louis, including musicians from the Gateway City, recent visitors, and coming attractions - now with even more boldfacing!* Alas, the only significant Miles Davis-related link this week is to the sad news that the British jazz trumpeter and writer Ian Carr died this past Wednesday at age 75. Long considered one of the top trumpet players on the British scene, Carr ...

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John McLaughlin Signs with Ted Kurland Associates (TKA)

Source: All About Jazz
March 2, 2009

Touring the electric Fourth Dimension group in 2010 March 2, 2009 (Boston, MA) -- Ted Kurland Associates announces the addition of the legendary guitarist John McLaughlin to their roster for representation in North America. John McLaughlin is available for booking in North America through TKA by special arrangement with Christophe Deghelt Productions, management and exclusive International Representative for John McLaughlin. Considered by many critics and fans to be one of the greatest guitar players of all-time, John McLaughlin has famously ...

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If I Ran the NEA...

Source: Michael Ricci
March 1, 2009

The slogan of the National Endowment for the Arts is “a great nation deserves great art.”

Were it only that simple.

When Congress voted on President Obama’s $787-billion stimulus package, fiscal conservatives slammed the NEA’s $50-million allocation. It wasn’t the first time the agency, whose 2008 budget was about $144 million, had been thrust under the microscope.

Since awarding its first grant in 1965, the NEA most famously riled opponents in the early 1990s with its plan to award grants ...

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The Curious Case of Marcy Lutes

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
February 28, 2009

Marcy Lutes' first solo recording as a vocalist was her last. After 10 years toiling in the big bands of Ray McKinley, Benny Goodman, Tommy Dorsey and Herbie Fields, Lutes finally was given a shot in late 1956. The album was called Marcy Lutes: Debut, and the LP might have been forgotten if it wasn't for the arrangers Decca brought in for the date--Gil Evans, Ralph Burns and Marion Evans (no relation).

I stumbled upon this little-known album while researching ...

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O Rare Dave Brubeck

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
February 28, 2009

In the past few days, three videos have materialized of a 1956 television performance by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. They show the group after Brubeck was elevated to general fame by way of a TIME magazine cover story but before Joe Morello and Eugene Wright replaced Joe Dodge and Norman Bates on drums and bass. As I wrote in Take Five: The Public and Private Lives of Paul Desmond,

It may be difficult for anyone who grew up after the ...

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Celebrate Black History Month From Motown to Modern Day

Source: Universal Music Enterprises
February 28, 2009

To honor Black History Month and to celebrate the legacy of Motown, Stax, and Chess Records, Universal Music Group Distribution has launched several promotions. An amazing flyaway sweepstakes for a musical experience of a lifetime! click here Exclusive one of a kind painting! Customers who buy any Motown, Stax, or Chess CD at participating stores get a free limited edition commemorative poster. The poster is a reproduction of a one of a kind, commissioned, watercolor painting created by CA artist ...

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Eminem Lawsuit Could Cost Labels Millions and Mean Higher Artist Royalties

Source: HypeBot
February 26, 2009

Eminem's publishing company, FBT Productions, is suing Universal Music Group for $1.6 million in unpaid royalties from digital sales. At stake are tens of millions of dollars and the very definition of royalties.

Like all music sales, the royalty rate paid is determined by a contract between labels and artists. But in the majority of recording contracts - particularly those first executed before the debut of iTunes - digital royalty rates are not stated explicitly stated.

Eminem's ...

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Banana Republic Celebrates the Diverse Rhythms of City Life with New Musician-Filled Campaign "City Stories"

Source: Dan Klores Communications
February 26, 2009

Nine unique music artists share their sounds and style in national Spring/Summer ads starting February 17 Banana Republic has assembled a talented, multicultural group of music artists to celebrate the richness of city life in a new spring/summer campaign called CITY STORIES, launching nationwide Feb. 17. The campaign features nine diverse musicians, including Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles, alt rock/pop darling Liz Phair, and acclaimed pop/rock band OK Go. Styled by George Cortina and photographed by Tom Munro, the artists gathered ...

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