Nonesuch Records Pres. Bob Hurwitz Announces Retirement

Bob Hurwitz

NONESUCH RECORDS Pres. BOB HURWITZ has announced his intention to gradually step away from the day-to-day running of the label after 31 years, will remain President through the end of 2016. He will become Chairman Emeritus in JANUARY 2017, when he will continue working at the label in an A&R capacity, including as Exec. Producer on 10 to 12 albums a year, while also being able to devote more time on a variety of ongoing interests, among which are teaching, writing, and archival projects. HURWITZ’s successor as President will be announced shortly.

“For the past three decades, BOB’s vision, intelligence, and impeccable taste have driven NONESUCH to an incomparable level of musical artistry and distinction," WMG CEO STEVE COOPER said. "Under his guidance, NONESUCH has discovered and championed many of the most original and influential performers and composers of our time. I know I speak for everyone at WMG when I thank him for his extraordinary service to this company. The entire music world is much richer because of all that Bob accomplishes.

“In typical unorthodox fashion, rather than retiring, BOB has chosen a less well-beaten path for the years ahead," COOPER added. "While I respect his desire to pursue fresh avenues, I’m also thrilled that he has decided to remain with the label that bears his unmistakable stamp. Among BOB’s most impressive accomplishments is the fact that he has populated the label with extraordinary people, most of whom have been with NONESUCH for many years. The label’s unique approach lives in all of them, ensuring that NONESUCH will prosper by continuing to surprise and delight us all.”

“It is a privilege to have NONESUCH as part of the WARNER BROS. family of labels," WARNER BROS. RECORDS Chairman/CEO CAMERON STRANG said. "As a young person coming up in this business, I always thought that NONESUCH helped set the bar for record labels – a place where artistic excellence and integrity ruled supreme, regardless of musical genre. It was only when I joined WBR that I was lucky enough to experience first-hand BOB’s determination to maintain the highest standard of quality at every step of the creative process -– from signing to recording to packaging to marketing. I echo STEVE’s thankfulness that BOB will remain an active force at the label, and that DAVID BITHER, PETER CLANCY and the rest of BOB’s handpicked NONESUCH team will be there to carry the torch.”

“I have been at NONESUCH for 31 years, and during that time there has not been a single occasion when someone said, ‘You have to sign this artist; you can't sign that artist; you have to change that record; you can't let the artist do this or that; you have to drop this artist.’ Not once was there any creative interference," BOB HURWITZ said. "Instead, on the WARNER BROS., ELEKTRA and corporate sides, there has been trust and support; and on our side, taking our responsibility with utmost seriousness. I have nothing but tremendous gratitude to have had the rare opportunity to operate in this manner.

“I think it’s the right time to give up my day-to-day responsibilities to my wonderful colleagues, all of whom have a great love of music, as well as the intelligence and talent needed for NONESUCH to thrive," he continued. "And I am grateful to still be involved with them, especially the part of the job that I have loved the most -– signing performers and composers, making records, and being involved with the living artists who mean the most to me."

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