Music Industry News

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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Charles Gayle Celebrates 70

Source: All About Jazz
February 25, 2009

Charles Gayle, pioneering saxophonist and genius piano player, turns 70 this Saturday, February 28, 2009

Born in Buffalo NY, Charles played piano as his first and only instrument until the age of 19. He played saxophone with Archie Shepp and Pharoah Sanders in New York City in the early 60's, although no recordings seem to exist from the period. Charles spent nearly two decades as a homeless musician playing in the subways and streets of Manhattan before surfacing with some ...

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Follow Live Nation Tickmaster Senate Hearing Live

Source: HypeBot
February 25, 2009

This afternoon (Tuesday 2/24 at 2:30 EST) The Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Antitrust, Competition Policy and Consumer Rights will begin hearings on “The Ticketmaster/Live Nation Merger: What Does it Mean for Consumers and the Future of the Concert Business?".

Witnesses include super manager and Ticketmaster CEO Irving Azoff, Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino, Jerry Mickelson, the Chairman of Chicago based indie promoter JAM (who opposes the merger) and David Bellow, a senior fellow at The Center for American Progress ...

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Thomas Jefferson's Music Instruments

Source: All About Jazz
February 25, 2009

Very Interesting Quote by the author of the Declaration of Independance, Thomas Jefferson, in light of the present financial crisis, it's interesting to read what Jefferson said in 1802:

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of ...

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