Mack Avenue Records
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Posted by: editoron Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 02:14 PM |
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Mack Avenue Family Grows With Artists, Catalog Led By
Contemporary Jazz Artists Rick Braun and Richard Elliot
DETROIT, MI., September 10, 2008 - Mack Avenue Records, Inc., expands its considerable presence in the contemporary jazz market with the asset acquisition of Sherman Oaks, California-based ARTizen Music Group. ARTizen was established in 2004 through a partnership between contemporary jazz artists Rick Braun and Richard Elliot, attorney Al Evers and artist management executive Steve Chapman.
Under the terms of the agreement, both trumpet star Rick Braun and saxophone favorite Richard Elliott now join the Mack Avenue roster. The pair hit #1 on the Radio & Records smooth jazz airplay chart with the title track from their smash duo album R'n'R, released in 2007. Each also has an impressive catalog of solo CDs and top ten smooth jazz hits; Braun's ARTizen output includes his 2005 studio set CD Yours Truly and his live 2004 release Sessions, while Elliott rejoined his group Metro Blue for the 2006 CD of the same name.
In addition, Mack Avenue adds saxophonist Jackiem Joyner to the artist roster. Joyner's ARTizen debut CD, Babysoul, was released to critical praise in 2007.
Denny Stilwell, President of Mack Avenue Records, notes, "We couldn't be more pleased to be acquiring the ARTizen Music Group catalog. Rick Braun and Richard Elliot have been synonymous with contemporary jazz since before the genre became popular. Rick, Richard, and Jackiem are working on new projects that will be released in 2009. Adding these acts to our roster along with the rest of the ARTizen Music Group catalog helps round out a formidable roster for us in the area of contemporary jazz."
ARTizen's principals are also celebrating the acquisition. "We are very excited about joining up with Mack Avenue. They're really fantastic people," says Rick Braun. "We share a common goal which is to create great music." Adds Steve Chapman, "All of us here at ARTizen Music Group are thrilled to be part of the Mack Avenue Family. Mack Avenue's experienced senior management, a really strong marketing team, and an ongoing relationship with ARTizen's distributor, Ryko, make this a natural fit. We look forward to a long and prosperous relationship."
This is the third label acquisition by Mack Avenue Records within the course of a year. Last month, the label acquired contemporary jazz label Rendezvous Entertainment, and late last year it absorbed jazz and urban contemporary label Artistry Music Group.
Mack Avenue Records, Inc., was formed in 1999 by Detroit businesswoman Gretchen Valade and businessman Tom Robinson. The label has released recordings by six-time Grammy nominee Gerald Wilson, Oscar Castro Neves, pianist George Shearing and the drum and bass duo of Carl Allen and Rodney Whitaker as well as relative newcomers Hot Club of Detroit, Ron Blake, Sean Jones, Tia Fuller and vocalist Sachal Vasandani. In December of 2007 Mack Avenue acquired Los Angeles-based Artistry Music Group, a Contemporary Jazz and Adult R&B imprint, adding acclaimed artists Rahsaan Patterson, Brian Bromberg and Alan Broadbent, to Mack Avenue's established traditional jazz brand.
The label acquired Rendezvous Entertainment in August 2008, welcoming bassist Wayman Tisdale, keyboardist Brian Simpson, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, and singer-guitarist Jonathan Butler to the Mack Avenue family of artists. Other 2008 additions to the Mack Avenue roster include acclaimed guitarist Stanley Jordan and saxophonist Kenny Garrett, whose CD Sketches Of MD: Live At The Iridium is due for release on September 23rd. The company also continues to distribute the award-winning Los Angeles based progressive jazz label, Cryptogramophone Records.
For more information, please contact:
Don Lucoff/DL MEDIA, 610-667-0501 don@jazzpublicity.com
Steph Brown/DL MEDIA, 610-667-0501 steph@jazzpublicity.com
Sheila Eldridge/Miles Ahead Entertainment, 201-722-1500 Sheila@milesaheadentertainment.com
www.mackavenue.com
www.artizenmusic.com
www.artistrymusic.net
www.rendezvousmusic.com
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