Mack Avenue Records
Encyclopedia
Mack Avenue Records is an independent record label headquartered in Harper Woods, Michigan
. Founded in 1999, the label has several renowned jazz musicians on its roster, including Stanley Jordan
, Kenny Garrett
, Christian McBride
, Danilo Perez
, Kevin Eubanks
, Yellowjackets
, and Gary Burton
, among several others.
In the 2000's, Mack Avenue acquired two smooth jazz record labels. In 2004, Mack Avenue acquired the Los Angeles-based Artistry Music Group, a Contemporary Jazz and Adult R&B imprint founded by Denny Stilwell, Lucille Hunt, singer/songwriter Rahsaan Patterson and bassist Brian Bromberg; adding acclaimed artists Rahsaan Patterson
, Brian Bromberg
, Richard Smith
and Alan Broadbent
, to Mack Avenue's established traditional jazz brand. In 2008, Mack Avenue purchased Artizen Music, a Contemporary Jazz imprint founded by Steve Chapman, Al Evers, trumpeter Rick Braun and Saxophonist Richard Elliot. Mack Avenue merged the two contemporary jazz imprints under Artistry Music.
Shortly after, Mack Avenue added Rendezvous Entertainment (founded by saxophonist Dave Koz
), welcoming bassist Wayman Tisdale
(who put out three albums on Rendezvous before his tragic passing in 2009), keyboardist Brian Simpson, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, (who in 2010 was nominated for four Grammy awards, winning Best Gospel Song), and singer-guitarist Jonathan Butler to the Mack Avenue family of artists.
Other major 2008 additions to the Mack Avenue Records roster include acclaimed guitarist Stanley Jordan
, Grammy Award winning saxophonist Kenny Garrett
and bassist Christian McBride
(all of whom made their label debut in 2008 and 2009).
In 2009, Mack Avenue announced the addition of Grammy Award winning pianist, Danilo Perez
. He released a Grammy-nominated album, entitled "Providencia" in August 2010.
In September 2010, Mack Avenue announced two additions to their roster: guitarist/former Tonight Show band leader Kevin Eubanks
- in his first project since his Tonight Show departure; and the celebrated Yellowjackets
. Eubanks will release his debut on the label, Zen Food,on November 23. Yellowjackets will release their debut for the label in March of 2011.
In February 2011, Mack Avenue announced the addition of legend Gary Burton
to their roster. He will release his debut project for the label on June 7 with The New Gary Burton Quartet (featuring Julian Lage, Scott Colley and Antonio Sanchez).
While releasing albums on the traditional brand as well as the various smooth jazz imprints, Mack Avenue maintains an active release schedule on their imprint, Sly Dog Records. With projects on the imprint from blues guitarist Johnnie Bassett
, Sly Dog was also gearing up to release an album from acclaimed singer-songwriter Kenny Rankin
before his death in June 2009. The imprint released six titles by Rankin in November 2009: Mind-Dusters, Family, Like A Seed, Silver Morning, Inside, and The Kenny Rankin Album. Four albums have been re-mastered from the original masters with the Rankin family overseeing the project.
The company also continues to distribute the award-winning Los Angeles based progressive jazz label, Cryptogramophone Records
.
Additionally, Mack Avenue Records is synonymous with its association to the Detroit International Jazz Festival. Mack Avenue founder Gretchen Valade created a new nonprofit foundation dedicated solely to producing the annual Labor Day weekend event, saving it from virtual collapse.
States Ms. Valade, "In terms of geographical jazz history, Detroit has always been one of the first cities mentioned. Founding a jazz label and later sustaining an important festival is my way of adding to the already vibrant and storied jazz tradition here in Detroit."
Harper Woods, Michigan
Harper Woods is a city located on the eastside of suburban Detroit, Michigan, United States. The city is located in Wayne County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 14,236.- History :...
. Founded in 1999, the label has several renowned jazz musicians on its roster, including Stanley Jordan
Stanley Jordan
Stanley Jordan is an American jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and pianist, best known for his development of the tapping technique for the guitar....
, Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett is a Grammy Award-winning American post bop jazz saxophonist and flautist who gained fame in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and of Miles Davis's band. He has since pursued a critically acclaimed solo career...
, Christian McBride
Christian McBride
Christian McBride is an American jazz bassist. His father, Lee Smith, and his great uncle, Howard Cooper, are well known Philadelphia bassists who served as McBride's early mentors...
, Danilo Perez
Danilo Pérez
Danilo Pérez is a Panamanian pianist and composer.-Early life:Danilo Pérez was born in Panama in 1965. He is considered one of the finest contemporary pianists and jazz composers of our era....
, Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Tyrone Eubanks is an American jazz guitarist and composer who was the leader of the Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno from 1995 to 2010. He also led The Primetime Band on the short-lived The Jay Leno Show.- Personal background :Eubanks was born into a musical family...
, Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets is an American jazz fusion/smooth jazz quartet.-History:The original group, called The Robben Ford Group, was formed in 1977, and consisted of Robben Ford, Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Ricky Lawson, all top-notch L.A. session musicians...
, and Gary Burton
Gary Burton
Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist.A true original on the vibraphone, Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the usual two-mallets. This approach caused Burton to be heralded as an innovator and his sound and technique are widely imitated...
, among several others.
History
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 the 2000's, Mack Avenue acquired two smooth jazz record labels. In 2004, Mack Avenue acquired the Los Angeles-based Artistry Music Group, a Contemporary Jazz and Adult R&B imprint founded by Denny Stilwell, Lucille Hunt, singer/songwriter Rahsaan Patterson and bassist Brian Bromberg; adding acclaimed artists Rahsaan Patterson
Rahsaan Patterson
Rahsaan Patterson is an American singer and actor, best known for portraying "The Kid" on the popular 1980s television show Kids Incorporated. He is a native of The Bronx, New York. He was named after '60s jazz saxophonist Rahsaan Roland Kirk...
, Brian Bromberg
Brian Bromberg
Brian Bromberg is an American jazz bassist and record producer who performs on both electric and acoustic instruments...
, Richard Smith
Richard Smith
Richard Smith may refer to:* Richard Smyth , also written Richard Smith, English Catholic scholar* Richard Smith , English Catholic Bishop, titular of Chalcedon in Asia Minor...
and Alan Broadbent
Alan Broadbent
Alan Broadbent, MNZM , is a jazz pianist, arranger and composer best known for his work with artists such as Woody Herman, Diane Schuur, Chet Baker, Irene Kral, Sheila Jordan, Charlie Haden, Warne Marsh, Bud Shank, and many others.Broadbent studied piano and music theory in his own country, but in...
, to Mack Avenue's established traditional jazz brand. In 2008, Mack Avenue purchased Artizen Music, a Contemporary Jazz imprint founded by Steve Chapman, Al Evers, trumpeter Rick Braun and Saxophonist Richard Elliot. Mack Avenue merged the two contemporary jazz imprints under Artistry Music.
Shortly after, Mack Avenue added Rendezvous Entertainment (founded by saxophonist Dave Koz
Dave Koz
Dave Koz is an American smooth jazz saxophonist.- Life and career :Dave Koz was born on March 27, 1963 in Encino, California....
), welcoming bassist Wayman Tisdale
Wayman Tisdale
Wayman Lawrence Tisdale was an American professional basketball player in the NBA and a smooth jazz bass guitarist. A three-time All American at the University of Oklahoma, he was elected to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.-Early life:Tisdale was born in Fort Worth, Texas...
(who put out three albums on Rendezvous before his tragic passing in 2009), keyboardist Brian Simpson, saxophonist Kirk Whalum, (who in 2010 was nominated for four Grammy awards, winning Best Gospel Song), and singer-guitarist Jonathan Butler to the Mack Avenue family of artists.
Other major 2008 additions to the Mack Avenue Records roster include acclaimed guitarist Stanley Jordan
Stanley Jordan
Stanley Jordan is an American jazz/jazz fusion guitarist and pianist, best known for his development of the tapping technique for the guitar....
, Grammy Award winning saxophonist Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett
Kenny Garrett is a Grammy Award-winning American post bop jazz saxophonist and flautist who gained fame in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and of Miles Davis's band. He has since pursued a critically acclaimed solo career...
and bassist Christian McBride
Christian McBride
Christian McBride is an American jazz bassist. His father, Lee Smith, and his great uncle, Howard Cooper, are well known Philadelphia bassists who served as McBride's early mentors...
(all of whom made their label debut in 2008 and 2009).
In 2009, Mack Avenue announced the addition of Grammy Award winning pianist, Danilo Perez
Danilo Pérez
Danilo Pérez is a Panamanian pianist and composer.-Early life:Danilo Pérez was born in Panama in 1965. He is considered one of the finest contemporary pianists and jazz composers of our era....
. He released a Grammy-nominated album, entitled "Providencia" in August 2010.
In September 2010, Mack Avenue announced two additions to their roster: guitarist/former Tonight Show band leader Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Eubanks
Kevin Tyrone Eubanks is an American jazz guitarist and composer who was the leader of the Tonight Show Band with host Jay Leno from 1995 to 2010. He also led The Primetime Band on the short-lived The Jay Leno Show.- Personal background :Eubanks was born into a musical family...
- in his first project since his Tonight Show departure; and the celebrated Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets
Yellowjackets is an American jazz fusion/smooth jazz quartet.-History:The original group, called The Robben Ford Group, was formed in 1977, and consisted of Robben Ford, Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Ricky Lawson, all top-notch L.A. session musicians...
. Eubanks will release his debut on the label, Zen Food,on November 23. Yellowjackets will release their debut for the label in March of 2011.
In February 2011, Mack Avenue announced the addition of legend Gary Burton
Gary Burton
Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist.A true original on the vibraphone, Burton developed a pianistic style of four-mallet technique as an alternative to the usual two-mallets. This approach caused Burton to be heralded as an innovator and his sound and technique are widely imitated...
to their roster. He will release his debut project for the label on June 7 with The New Gary Burton Quartet (featuring Julian Lage, Scott Colley and Antonio Sanchez).
While releasing albums on the traditional brand as well as the various smooth jazz imprints, Mack Avenue maintains an active release schedule on their imprint, Sly Dog Records. With projects on the imprint from blues guitarist Johnnie Bassett
Johnnie Bassett
Johnnie Bassett is an American electric blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Working for decades primarily as a session musician, by the 1990s Bassett had his own backing band and has since released six albums. He has cited Billy Butler, Tiny Grimes, Albert King, B.B...
, Sly Dog was also gearing up to release an album from acclaimed singer-songwriter Kenny Rankin
Kenny Rankin
Kenny Rankin was an American pop and jazz singer and songwriter, originally from the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City, New York.-Biography:...
before his death in June 2009. The imprint released six titles by Rankin in November 2009: Mind-Dusters, Family, Like A Seed, Silver Morning, Inside, and The Kenny Rankin Album. Four albums have been re-mastered from the original masters with the Rankin family overseeing the project.
The company also continues to distribute the award-winning Los Angeles based progressive jazz label, Cryptogramophone Records
Cryptogramophone Records
Cryptogramophone Records is a Los Angeles-based jazz record label which was formed in 1998 by violinist Jeff Gauthier to document the music of his late friend and musical companion, bassist Eric von Essen...
.
Additionally, Mack Avenue Records is synonymous with its association to the Detroit International Jazz Festival. Mack Avenue founder Gretchen Valade created a new nonprofit foundation dedicated solely to producing the annual Labor Day weekend event, saving it from virtual collapse.
States Ms. Valade, "In terms of geographical jazz history, Detroit has always been one of the first cities mentioned. Founding a jazz label and later sustaining an important festival is my way of adding to the already vibrant and storied jazz tradition here in Detroit."