Danny Bennett named president, CEO
By http://jazztimes.com/contributors/876188-carolina-worrell" rel="nofollow - Carolina Worrell
Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced the creation of the
Verve Label Group and appointed Grammy-winner Danny Bennett—manager of
his father, Tony Bennett—as the new organization’s president and CEO.
Founded in New York in 1956 and now in its 60th year, Verve—home to
jazz greats including Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Stan Getz and
Nina Simone—is UMG’s American contemporary label, with an active artist
roster that features Andrea Bocelli, Diana Krall, Mark Knopfler, Sarah
McLachlan and Barry Manilow. The Verve Label Group also harbors the
reactivated Impulse! label, which has released new albums by John
Scofield (with Joe Lovano), Kenny Barron, Sullivan Fortner, Jacky
Terrasson and others, and acclaimed archival releases like last year’s A Love Supreme: The Complete Masters by John Coltrane.
The new Verve Label Group, which will relocate to New York under
Bennett’s leadership, will also include Verve and UMG’s U.S. classical
labels Deutsche Grammophon, Decca Records, Decca Classics and Mercury
Classics, in addition to ECM Records, which is distributed by Universal
in the U.S.
“The new structure marks UMG’s continued investment in jazz and
classical music and the company’s unwavering commitment to building upon
its rich history in both genres, while also opening up new
opportunities, developing global crossover artists and delivering
innovative jazz and classical experiences to fans,” the company said in a
press release.
“With his proven strategic marketing skills, Bennett will expand the
awareness and reach of UMG’s historic jazz and classical catalog, and
develop and promote emerging artists on a global scale,” UMG said.
David Foster, who had led Verve since 2012, has decided to return
fulltime to producing, and will continue to work with UMG’s labels and
artists.
In a press release, Bennett said, “Universal Music is home to the
largest and most historically relevant jazz and classical recordings.
It’s a tremendous honor, and I am humbled to be chosen to lead the newly
formed Verve Label Group. I’m indebted to David Foster for leading the
iconic Verve label and I look forward to working with him on many future
productions.”
from http://jazztimes.com
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