Music Producer Don Was to Join Jazz Label (Exclusive)

Noted music producerDon Was has accepted a senior A&R position at Blue Note Records, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The EMI-owned label was founded in 1939 and has released seminal jazz recordings by the likes of Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk and Norah Jones, who won five Grammy Awards in 2003 for her debut album Come Away With Me. Was is known for his 80s band Was Not Was and his later work with Willie Nelson, Bob Seger and Bonnie Raitt, whose 1989 release Nick of Time, which he produced, won the Grammy for Album of the Year. Was is also a seasoned bass player, appearing on Elton John's and Leon Russell's The Union album. This year, he added American Idol in-house producer to his resume, and was paired in the recording studio with winner Scotty McCreery as well as finalists Lauren Alaina and Casey Abrams. Blue Note and sister label Manhattan Records are run by Ian Ralfini, who in 2010 took over as president from legendary record executive Bruce Lundvall, a 25-year-veteran of the company. Late in his life, Arif Mardin also served as an in-house maestro of sound at EMI, working with Jones, among others. "They want a producer on staff and that's what Don brings, as opposed to other A&R guys who just claim they're producers," says an insider. EMI is currently in the first round of bidding for a future sale of the company by Citigroup.Was's appointment is expected to be announced shortly. Related Topics Elton John Norah Jones American Idol EMI Willie Nelson