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Playboy Enterprises and Concord Records Launch Playboy Jazz
Beverly Hills, CA - Concord Records, Inc. and Playboy Enterprises International, Inc. announced today that they are forming a strategic alliance, which will include the formation of a new records label, Playboy Jazz. A wide range of recordings will be released under this imprint, from compilations and themed albums, to new and live concert recordings and soundtracks.
The initial release for the new label will be Blonde, the soundtrack for a new CBS miniseries, airing in May 2001, based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, the very first Playboy centerfold in 1953. Featured on the CD, to be released May 8, will be Kenny Burrell on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, Roy Hargrove and Snooky Young on trumpet, James Moody and Scott Hamilton on sax, and Dennis Rowland on vocals.
“From the beginning, Playboy has been involved with Jazz in one way or another--through our numerous articles on jazz, our interviews with influential artists such as Miles Davis, our popular music polls, our compilation albums, and of course, the Playboy Jazz Festival," said Hugh M. Hefner, Playboy founder and Editor in chief. “Playboy and Concord have a long history of dedication to jazz, making this collaboration a natural evolution for us. I still associate with jazz more than with any other form of popular music, so I'm very excited about the opportunities this presents to promote and preserve one of America's most important art forms."
“Jazz has always been a part of the Playboy lifestyle and we are delighted that Playboy has chosen to work with us in this exciting new venture. Our goal is to expand the audience for jazz and this venture will certainly help us do that," says Concord Records President Glen Barros.
Now in the 23rd year, The Playboy Jazz Festival has become an internationally acclaimed festival and emerged as the West Coast's premier jazz event. Virtually every jazz legend and major contemporary artist has performed at the Festival, including such greats as: Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, Grover Washington, Jr., B.B. King, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redmond, Al Jarreau, Etta James and many more. Since its landmark first gathering, the Playboy Jazz Festival has been responsible for exposing nearly three quarters of a million people to more than 300 hours of jazz in some 150 configurations.
About Playboy: Playboy Enterprises has had a long association with the Jazz genre. Hugh Hefner's wildly popular television shows, Playboy After Dark and Playboy's Penthouse, featured some of the greatest jazz musicians of their time. Playboy has also supported jazz within Playboy clubs and hotels, through its annual jazz festivals and with features in Playboy magazine. One of the most recognized brand names on the planet, Playboy has been a strong supporter of Jazz and Jazz-related causes since its inception.
About Concord Records: Concord Records has been releasing jazz music since 1973. Over 900 records later, Concord Records continues to be a leader in the industry, with its main label, Concord Jazz, and several subsidiary labels, thirteen Grammy Awards, seventy-four Grammy nominations, and many other accolades.
The initial release for the new label will be Blonde, the soundtrack for a new CBS miniseries, airing in May 2001, based on the life of Marilyn Monroe, the very first Playboy centerfold in 1953. Featured on the CD, to be released May 8, will be Kenny Burrell on guitar, Ray Brown on bass, Roy Hargrove and Snooky Young on trumpet, James Moody and Scott Hamilton on sax, and Dennis Rowland on vocals.
“From the beginning, Playboy has been involved with Jazz in one way or another--through our numerous articles on jazz, our interviews with influential artists such as Miles Davis, our popular music polls, our compilation albums, and of course, the Playboy Jazz Festival," said Hugh M. Hefner, Playboy founder and Editor in chief. “Playboy and Concord have a long history of dedication to jazz, making this collaboration a natural evolution for us. I still associate with jazz more than with any other form of popular music, so I'm very excited about the opportunities this presents to promote and preserve one of America's most important art forms."
“Jazz has always been a part of the Playboy lifestyle and we are delighted that Playboy has chosen to work with us in this exciting new venture. Our goal is to expand the audience for jazz and this venture will certainly help us do that," says Concord Records President Glen Barros.
Now in the 23rd year, The Playboy Jazz Festival has become an internationally acclaimed festival and emerged as the West Coast's premier jazz event. Virtually every jazz legend and major contemporary artist has performed at the Festival, including such greats as: Count Basie, Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughan, Miles Davis, Grover Washington, Jr., B.B. King, Wynton Marsalis, Joshua Redmond, Al Jarreau, Etta James and many more. Since its landmark first gathering, the Playboy Jazz Festival has been responsible for exposing nearly three quarters of a million people to more than 300 hours of jazz in some 150 configurations.
About Playboy: Playboy Enterprises has had a long association with the Jazz genre. Hugh Hefner's wildly popular television shows, Playboy After Dark and Playboy's Penthouse, featured some of the greatest jazz musicians of their time. Playboy has also supported jazz within Playboy clubs and hotels, through its annual jazz festivals and with features in Playboy magazine. One of the most recognized brand names on the planet, Playboy has been a strong supporter of Jazz and Jazz-related causes since its inception.
About Concord Records: Concord Records has been releasing jazz music since 1973. Over 900 records later, Concord Records continues to be a leader in the industry, with its main label, Concord Jazz, and several subsidiary labels, thirteen Grammy Awards, seventy-four Grammy nominations, and many other accolades.
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