Gary Katz
Gary Katz is an American music producer, best known for his work on record albums by the group Steely Dan. Katz has also produced numerous other recording artists and assisted in the discovery and signing of a number of subsequently highly successful acts.
Career
Early work
Katz entered the music business working with Bobby Darin. He produced at Avco-Embassy Records, then with ABC/Dunhill Records, working with artists such as The Mamas & the Papas, Steppenwolf and Three Dog Night. Katz also has broad experience with A & R, responsible for artist signings such as Jim Croce, Chaka Khan, Rufus and Jimmy Buffett.
Steely Dan
Katz is most famous for his work as a producer on every Steely Dan album recorded during the first run of their career, from Can't Buy A Thrill in 1972 to Gaucho in 1980.[1] He also produced The Nightfly, the first solo album by the band's lead vocalist Donald Fagen, in 1982.
Work with and signings of other artists
Katz's other production credits include albums by Diana Ross, 10cc, Joe Cocker, Laura Nyro, Rosie Vela, Thomas Jefferson Kaye, Eye to Eye as well as Glasgow band Love and Money.
Katz had a joint venture with Interscope called Jake Records before moving to Warner Brothers as a producer and A & R man, where they enjoyed legendary success as a company and creating new artists. He was one of two people principally responsible for signing Prince, Dire Straits, Christopher Cross and Rickie Lee Jones and Root Boy Slim to Warner. He worked at the Burbank offices for six years, then at the New York offices for another four, alongside Jerry Wexler.
Present day
Katz continues to create and produce records through his independent production company.
References
- ↑ Buckley, Peter (20 November 2003). The rough guide to rock. Rough Guides. pp. 1006–1007. ISBN 978-1-84353-105-0. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
External links
- January 1979 interview with Katz
- In Search of a Song: audio interview, broadcast 2011
- Credits at Allmusic.com