Downtown Music Publishing Signs Grammy-Winning 'Smooth' Songwriter Itaal Shur

Itaal Shur

DOWNTOWN MUSIC PUBLISHING  has signed a worldwide deal with GRAMMY-winning songwriter ITAAL SHUR to administer his existing catalogs as well as all future works, including one of his most notable songs , "Smooth," which he co-wrote for SANTANA's GRAMMY-winning album "Supernatural."

Co-written by SHUR in 1999, SANTANA's first chart-topping single "Smooth" featuring ROB THOMAS remained at #1 for 12 weeks, and then went on to set the record for the longest top 10 stay by a #1 single at 30 consecutive weeks. The classic led SHUR to win the GRAMMY for Song of Year.

SHUR has written songs for and collaborated with a wide range of artists including: CYNDI LAUPER, JEWEL, ENRIQUE IGLESIAS, RICKY MARTIN, MAXWELL, LUCY WOODWARD, JOSS STONE, THE KRONOS QUARTET and CARLEEN ANDERSON, among many others. SHUR has also produced records for various artists, including KRONOS QUARTET, THE SCUMFROG, LUCY WOODWARD, HINDA HICKS, MARK FARINA and LIGHTHOUSE FAMILY. 

SHUR has also been nominated for the "Best Song of the Year" at the 2004 LATIN GRAMMYS for "Mas Y Mas" by ROBI ROSA. The same song was re-recorded as a duet between ROSA and RICKY MARTIN, and was nominated for "Record of the Year" at the 2013 LATIN GRAMMYS. SHUR's "Ascension (Don't ever wonder)" co-written and recorded by MAXWELL, remains a modern soul standard.

SHUR was one of the founding members of the acid jazz group GROOVE COLLECTIVE, and has released three solo albums. He recently scored the SUNDANCE award-winning documentary, "Alive Inside," directed by his brother MICHAEL ROSSATTO-BENNETT.  SHUR has also established his own artist development and production company, and is presently creating music for new film/tv projects as well as writing songs for a number of artists.

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