FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Music Works International Grows Stellar Global Roster with Seven New Signings
Boston, MA, USA | November 13, 2017 — Music Works International, the boutique agency led by industry veteran, Katherine McVicker, expands artist roster with icons of jazz, blues, R&B, and world music.
“It is with great pride that we welcome these renowned artists to our roster,” Director Katherine McVicker​ says, adding, “the level of excitement our team feels with the opportunity to work with such celebrated musicians is palpable. We recognize that fostering these relationships help build on our long-term goals as an international agency and allows us to grow our brand on a global scale.”
Home to 32 international touring artists including Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Christian McBride, Branford Marsalis, Vijay Iyer, Kurt Elling, Ambrose Akinmusire, Jason Moran, and Bokanté — the world music project created by Snarky Puppy’s Michael League and Malika Tirolien — MWI enters Autumn with a flurry of new signings by welcoming seven artists and special projects.
DAVE HOLLAND, legendary bassist, composer, bandleader, and esteemed NEA Jazz Master whose passion for the musical expression of all styles, and dedication to creating consistently innovative music ensembles have propelled a professional career of more than 50 years and earned him top honors in his field including multiple Grammy awards and the title of NEA Jazz Master in 2017. Holland rose to prominence playing alongside the likes of Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Sam Rivers, Betty Carter, and Anthony Braxton – as well as collaborations with heroes Chick Corea, Gary Burton, Jack DeJohnette, and John McLaughlin.
CATHERINE RUSSELL, the celebrated jazz and blues singer whose dusky and soulful voice radiates interpretive power with touching vulnerability. As a multi-award winning artist, Russell has released six records and appeared on stage with - and on the recordings of - an equally impressive list of performers to include David Bowie, Madonna, Rosanne Cash, Steely Dan, Diana Ross, Levon Helm, Cyndi Lauper, and Dr. John.
OMER AVITAL, visionary composer and virtuoso bass player whose genre-defying ensembles are pushing the boundaries of jazz expression and providing audiences with swing and spiritual sustenance in equal measure. Called “one of the most exciting musicians to come onto the jazz scene in the last 20 years” (DownBeat), Avital has the keen sensibility to combine music from his Middle Eastern background with classical and modern Western jazz.
ROOSEVELT COLLIER does his hollering on the sacred steel guitar. Brought up in the tradition of the House of God Church in Southern Florida, Collier built his reputation along side his uncles and cousins in The Lee Boys. Taking his sound into new directions as an integral member of new group Bokanté, lead by Snarky Puppy’s Michael League, and as the leader of his world-famous “get-down” - the long-awaited Roosevelt Collier debut, due in 2018, features an incredible mixture of blues, gospel, rock, and funk.
Special Project QUINCY JONES 85TH ANNIVERSARY BASH will celebrate the life and legacy of the mastermind behind some of the 20th and 21st century’s greatest hits. With Jones turning 85, Quincy Jones Productions is touring an unforgettable tribute show with a live orchestra, special guests, and an onstage surprise from Quincy himself. Working with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Quincy’s material satisfies a range of musical tastes.
Special Project NORDUB: SLY & ROBBIE MEET NILS PETTER MOLVÆR - presented in cooperation with Mark van den Bergh, Music Without Borders. Norwegian Nils Petter Molvær - world-renowned jazz trumpeter and pioneer of the genre of nu jazz-meets-the-Jamaican reggae super duo of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare for this special collaboration. Together, Sly and Robbie reshaped the face of indigenous reggae and dub music, and as pioneers in the use of musical technology, they have developed an innovative new sound that extols different genres and sound styles.
Special Project LIONEL LOUEKE brings jazz into vibrant contact with the sounds of West Africa, in particular his native Benin. Combining harmonic complexity, soaring melody, and conventional and extended guitar techniques to create a warm and evocative sound of his own. Loueke is a member of the celebrated Blue Note’s 75th anniversary Blue Note All-Star group and has recorded with greats like Herbie Hancock, Dave Holland, Terence Blanchard, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Joe Lovano, as well as contemporaries including Esperanza Spalding, Gretchen Parlato, Kendrick Scott.
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About Music Works International
Music Works International collaborates with the world’s finest musicians, promoters, and venues to develop tours that expand audiences, artists, and markets. MWI’s deep experience creatively powers the artistic development and vision of an exceptional roster of musicians and bands spanning jazz, world music, folk, and R&B. MWI’s technique of expansion is to build communities of regional presenters who collaborate to create strong and profit-generating tours.
About Katherine McVicker
Katherine McVicker founded Music Works International in 2014, after 3 decades in the music industry as an agent developing the touring careers for dozens of artists such as Michael Brecker, Esperanza Spalding, Wayne Shorter, Dianne Reeves, Brad Mehldau, Lizz Wright, The Bad Plus, Jason Moran, Richard Bona, Joshua Redman, Joe Lovano, Vijay Iyer and noted world music artists such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Spanish Harlem Orchestra and The Gloaming. Katherine also launched the European touring career of Norah Jones in 2000 and worked with her until 2007 developing her profile in Europe. McVicker continues to develop her boutique agency with an eye toward expanding opportunities for established artists on the roster as well as fostering the live performance careers of the next generation of jazz icons Ambrose Akinmusire, Aaron Diehl and Justin Kauflin and the finest American roots artists, Ruthie Foster, Blind Boys of Alabama and Jon Cleary. Katherine is available for interviews or for clinics on the state of the industry, international touring, and artist development.
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For current availabilities, touring assets, and information visit MusicWorksInternational.com.
To download the full Music Works International roster, go here:
( http://www.musicworksinternational.com/images/tourplansroster/MWIRoster.pdf )
Media Contact:
David Greenberg
Director of Marketing and Development
MUSIC WORKS INTERNATIONAL
davidg[@]musicworksinternational.com
p/ +01.781.300.7580
skype/ tapedave131
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