Maximum Jazz goes Universal

[Chris Tarry]

MAXIMUM JAZZ GOES UNIVERSAL!
UNIVERSAL MUSIC CANADA TO DISTRIBUTE
VANCOUVER BASED MAXIMUM JAZZ LABEL
"Maximum Jazz produces some of the best Canadian CDs on
the market today." – Carol Robertson, Planet Jazz – Editor


Toronto, May 14, 2003 - Universal Music Canada proudly announces that it will be the new distributor of Maximum Jazz. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia and founded five years ago by Chief Music Lover and President Brian Watson, Maximum Jazz has since released 25 albums by acclaimed artists including Juno Award Nominees Metalwood, Brad Turner, Chris Tarry and Kate Hammett-Vaughan. Maximum Jazz will be distributed through Universal Music Canada’s Classics & Jazz division, home of international labels such as Verve, Deutsche Grammophon, London, Decca, Philips, ECM and Fantasy Records, to name a few.

Scott Morin, Label Manager for Universal Jazz/Verve Music Group remarked, "We're all really excited about the possibilities that exist with this great Canadian jazz label, and look forward to helping it grow to one of the preeminent independent jazz and instrumental music labels in Canada. Maximum Jazz has done a great job building the careers of West Coast jazz artists for the last 5 years, including our own domestic signing, Metalwood. This new relationship will be more than merely a distribution agreement, as we will strive to build a jazz label that represents great artists from all corners of the country."

Allan Reid, Senior Vice President of A&R for Universal Music Canada commented: "We are very pleased to have Maximum Jazz and its roster of uniquely talented artists join the Universal family and look forward to helping the label further strengthen its presence with in the Canadian music community."
"A Beacon of Hope for Canadian Jazz!" exclaims Ottawa’s jazz connoisseur Ron Sweetman about Maximum. With 15 National Jazz Award Nominations in 2003, including ‘Best Jazz Label’, 15 West Coast Music Award Nominations in 2002, 10 Juno Nominations, 4 Canadian Music Week Nominations, and the consistent top ten placement of its artists on the national jazz charts, Maximum Jazz together with Maximum Management are achieving amazing recognition for their compelling catalogue of releases.

"We here at Maximum are thrilled about this new partnership and the opportunities it represents not only to our family of artists, but to the Canadian jazz scene", explains Brian Watson. "Under the leadership of Rick Dunlop and Scott Morin, the Universal Jazz/Verve Music Group is a company that shares in our strong belief, overwhelming vision and total commitment to developing and showcasing what are undoubtedly some of the finest musicians in the world. We feel right at home."

Universal Music Canada is looking forward to distributing Maximum's compelling catalogue of releases and continuing their commitment to discovering new Canadian musical talent.

www.maximummusicgroup.com <http://www.maximummusicgroup.com>


For information please contact:
Stephen Gash
416-718-4055
Publicist, Classics & Jazz
Universal Music Canada
Stephen.Gash@umusic.com

Amalia Townsend
604-915-5356
Promotions Queen
Maximum Jazz
promotions@maximumjazz.com