Larry Rosen (producer)

Larry Rosen
Born (1940-05-25)May 25, 1940
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Died October 9, 2015(2015-10-09) (aged 75)
Park Ridge, New Jersey, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s)
  • Musician
  • Producer

Larry Rosen (May 25, 1940 – October 9, 2015) was an American entrepreneur, producer, musician, and recording engineer.

Life

Rosen was born in The Bronx, New York and was raised in Dumont, New Jersey.[1] He began his musical career as a drummer with the Newport Youth Band, meeting eventual partner Dave Grusin while working with singer Andy Williams and attending the Manhattan School of Music. In 1972, Grusin and Rosen produced vocalist Jon Lucien for RCA Records; Grusin/Rosen Productions would evolve from freelance production team to performer-centric jazz label over the next few years, discovering- and developing homegrown talent like Patti Austin, Lee Ritenour, Earl Klugh, and Noel Pointer along the way.

In 1978, Grusin/Rosen Productions signed a long-term development deal with Arista Records president Clive Davis. It was a prolific collaboration, with albums from Dave Valentin, Angela Bofill, Bernard Wright, and Tom Browne—whose hit single "Funkin' For Jamaica" reached number one on Billboard's R&B and Jazz charts[2]—forming the basis of a breakout catalog.

Arista/GRP outperformed commercial expectations and redefined the boutique American jazz label. Rosen used the opportunity to advance the state of the art, engineering- and co-producing the Dave Grusin album Mountain Dance—the first- digitally recorded non-classical album[3]—in 1979.

Their obligations to Davis fulfilled, Grusin and Rosen established GRP Records, Inc., in 1982 as the Arista contract expired. Under their dual proprietorship, Rosen's personal enthusiasm for digital recording was translated into a corporate mission. Their pioneering "all digital" approach—releasing their entire catalog on Compact Disc—helped launch the format in the United States.[4]

GRP Records was recognized as Billboard magazine's #1 Contemporary Jazz label for five consecutive years while its artists were nominated for over 80 Grammy Awards, winning 33. GRP's artist roster grew to include many notable artists including Chick Corea, Lee Ritenour, Diana Krall, Patti Austin, Dr. John, Dave Grusin, Gary Burton, B.B. King, Arturo Sandoval, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, and Kevin Eubanks. By 1990, Rosen and Grusin sold GRP Records to the Universal Music Group with Rosen remaining as President & CEO of the label. As part of the larger merged company, Rosen launched the CD reissue series drawing on the Impulse!, Chess, and American Decca back catalog, and helped shape Universal's international business development. GRP was recognized on October 17, 1992 by Billboard magazine with an extensive feature commemorating its 10th Anniversary.[5]

After leaving GRP in 1995, Rosen co-founded one of the first Internet e-commerce and content companies, N2K, Inc. (NASDAQ), in 1997. Serving as its chairman and CEO, Rosen led the company to an IPO offering. In addition to its online music store, Music Boulevard, N2K produced a number of genre-based community sites (Rocktropolis, Jazz Central Station, Classical Insites) and artist sites for Leonard Bernstein, Miles Davis, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones. N2K was also a digital music distribution pioneer, offering the first digital downloads in late 1996.[6] At the height of the Internet boom in 1999, Rosen formed the plan to merge N2K Inc. with one of its main rivals, CDNow Inc.,[7] and appeared on the cover of Forbes magazine in July 1998.[8] In 1998 Mr. Rosen received Ernst and Young's Entrepreneur of the Year Award in New Media and Entertainment.[9]

Rosen was the chairman of Larry Rosen Productions, where he created and produced[10] the PBS television HD series Legends of Jazz with pianist Ramsey Lewis. Additionally, he is the creator and Producer of the 7 part television series titled Recording: The History of Recorded Music, with hosts Quincy Jones and Phil Ramone.

In 2008, Rosen created "Jazz Roots - A Larry Rosen Jazz Series," a concert and educational program created for performing arts centers. Jazz Roots found its first home at the Adrienne Arsht Center in Miami, Florida,[11][12] opened in Dallas, Texas (AT&T Performing Arts Center) as well as the Carmel, Indiana Performing Arts Center in 2010. Artists presented include Dave Brubeck, Sonny Rollins, Chick Corea, Paquito D’Rivera, John McLaughlin, Ramsey Lewis, Arturo Sandoval, Eliane Elias, Buddy Guy, Dr. John, Manhattan Transfer, Al Jarreau, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Palmieri and Michel Camilo. As a companion to the series, Rosen is the host of the locally presented NPR radio series Jazz Roots.[13]

Rosen died at his home in Park Ridge, New Jersey at the age of 75 on October 9, 2015.[1][14]

References

  1. 1 2 Pugliese, Nicholas; and Ensslin, John C. "Innovative jazz producer Larry Rosen of Park Ridge dies at 75", The Record (Bergen County), October 9, 2015, updated October 11, 2015. Accessed October 12, 2015. "Mr. Rosen, a Bronx native who grew up in Dumont, died surrounded by his family in his home in Park Ridge, his publicist, Sheryl Feuerstein, said."
  2. ↑ Billboard Magazine, October 18, 1980
  3. ↑ AllMusic.com Album Detail Page
  4. ↑ Gans, Charles J. (2015-10-10). "Larry Rosen, music producer and label founder, dies at 75". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  5. ↑ Billboard Magazine, October 17, 1992
  6. ↑ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/N2K's+Music+Boulevard+Celebrates+First+Anniversary+of+E-Mod+Digital...-a020911433
  7. ↑ http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/23171/www.amazon.com
  8. ↑ Forbes Magazine, July 27, 1998, article by Eric Nee. http://search.forbes.com/search/ForbesArchiveSearch?fullMagName=Forbes+Magazine&magVolume=&magIssue=2&magDate=07%252F27%252F1998
  9. ↑ Ernst & Young Hall of Fame Member Profile http://eoyhof.ey.com/SearchHallofFame.aspx
  10. ↑ "Legends of Jazz" DVD/CD Collection Brings Soaring Performances, Stellar Production to the Home Screen and Stereo
  11. ↑ Miami Herald, Sun, Jul. 13, 2008 By Daniel Chang
  12. ↑ Miami's Jazz Scene
  13. ↑ Ratliff, Ben (2015-10-14). "Larry Rosen, Digital-Audio Pioneer and Force in Pop-Jazz, Dies at 75". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2015-10-20.
  14. ↑ Associated Press, Obit Larry Rosen)

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