Jazz At Lincoln Center Launches Blue Engine Records Through RED

(L-r): JALC's Scholl, Morelli, Marsalis, RED's Becker

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER announced the formation of BLUE ENGINE RECORDS, a new platform to make its archive of recorded concerts available to jazz audiences everywhere.
The label will release new studio and live recordings as well as archival recordings from the organization's performance history, which date back to 1987 and are part of the R. THEODORE AMMON ARCHIVES AND MUSIC LIBRARY.

Since its start, each year's programming was conceived and developed by Managing and Artistic Director WYNTON MARSALIS, building a comprehensive library of iconic compositions. By including each new set of songs as part of that year's concert season, the organization was able to create accurate, complete charts for each composition and often commission new arrangements. Coupled with performances by MARSALIS and the JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA,  the archive has grown to include thousands of songs from hundreds of concert dates.

BLUE ENGINE will be operated as a part of JALC's Brand and Audience Development department, which is managed by GABRIELLE ARMAND.  The releases will offer JALC's growing global audience, now at over one million jazz fans, opportunities to engage with the institution's music how they want.

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER has entered into an exclusive distribution agreement with RED DISTRIBUTION for physical distribution in the U.S. and global digital distribution of all BLUE ENGINE releases. RED's 'STACHE MEDIA, a full-service marketing company, will provide additional support.

"Bringing our growing archive of music to people all over the world has been one of our most important institutional objectives. With BLUE ENGINE, we're excited to make this archive available and also provide opportunities for some of the fantastic jazz musicians that continue to emerge," said MARSALIS. "We will make decades of incredible performances from great musicians in the studio and in our halls available in a variety of formats. For years, audience members and fans online have asked, 'Where can we get this?' Now, people who love this type of music will have something exciting, fresh and new to look forward to and to support. The recordings manifest one of our most progressive principles: whether it's KID ORY or SHERMAN IRBY, 'all jazz is modern.'"

"RED Distribution is thrilled to be in business with JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER and BLUE ENGINE RECORDS," said RED Distribution President BOB MORELLI. "The combination of these amazing recordings with RED's unique 'STACHE MEDIA services will lead to exciting commercial breakthroughs for both of us."

The first release from BLUE ENGINE, JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA with WYNTON MARSALIS Live In CUBA" will be released on AUGUST 21st and is available now for pre-order on iTUNES.

BLUE ENGINE's releases and ancillary music (such as alternate takes), photos, video and more will also be used in JALC's efforts to continue to build and engage its global audience. JALC recently achieved a significant milestone when the audience who regularly connects to the organization via social media (or directly through JALC's online platform at jazz.org) surpassed one million people.

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