GRP Records
| GRP Records | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Parent company | Universal Music Group |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen |
| Distributor(s) | Verve Records (In the US) |
| Genre | Jazz |
| Country of origin | US |
| Official Website | Official website of GRP Records |
GRP Records is an American jazz record company, owned by Universal Music Group and operates through its Verve Music Group. The company's name has had different meanings. In its early days, it stood for "Grusin/Rosen Productions," after the founders. By the middle 1990s, after Grusin and Rosen left the company, GRP used the marketing slogan "Great Records Period."
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[edit] History
[edit] 1978–1987
GRP Records was founded in New York by keyboard player Dave Grusin and Larry Rosen in 1978. Previously, the duo had formed Grusin/Rosen Productions as a freelance production team in 1972, producing records for labels such as RCA, Blue Note and CTI with artists like Jon Lucien, Noel Pointer, Earl Klugh and Patti Austin. Between 1978 and 1982, Grusin/Rosen Productions operated under a label agreement with Clive Davis at Arista, which was known as '"Arista/GRP." They achieved success with a number of artists during this period, most notably trumpeter Tom Browne and his jazz-funk hit 'Funkin' for Jamaica'. Embracing an all-digital recording philosophy, GRP made early use of Soundstream's digital recording technology, resulting in Dave Grusin's 'Mountain Dance' (1979), one of the earliest all-digital recordings outside of classical music. Latin flute player Dave Valentin was the first act signed to the label.[1]
In 1982, GRP broke away from the Arista umbrella and began operating as an independent label. They quickly became one of the first US labels to release all of their titles on compact disc under the moniker 'The Digital Master Company'. The label achieved success on radio in the New Adult Contemporary (NAC) format on stations like CD101.9 in New York and The Wave in Los Angeles.
[edit] 1987 on
In 1987, GRP Records signed a distribution deal with MCA Records; GRP was distributed throughout Europe during this time by a coalition of independent distributors coordinated by the label's Zurich office. MCA Music Entertainment (later renamed Universal Music Group) bought GRP in February 1990 for approximately $40 million. After the acquisition, the label was temporarily rebranded "MCA-GRP Records," and handled all of MCA's own jazz operations; reissuing numerous classic jazz titles from MCA's Impulse, Chess and Decca catalogs. As Billboard's #1 Contemporary Jazz label for five consecutive years, GRP Records was the major forerunner for the success of the smooth jazz format. Founders Grusin and Rosen left in 1995 and were replaced by producer Tommy LiPuma.
Upon the Universal Music Group's acquisition of PolyGram in 1998, GRP became one of a series of labels managed by the Verve Music Group. Its output today is primarily smooth jazz.
GRP currently manages the jazz back catalog that Universal had already owned prior to the PolyGram merger, except for what was once the jazz holdings of ABC Records, which are currently issued on Impulse! Records (which is now reissue-only) – this includes the jazz back catalog of Famous Music Group (which ABC purchased from Gulf+Western in 1974).
[edit] Discography
- 9501: Dave Grusin: NY/LA Dream Band
- 9502: Glenn Miller: In A Digital Mood
- 9503: Gerry Mulligan: Little Big Horn
- 9504: Dave Grusin: Night Lines
- 9505: Special EFX: Special EFX
- 9506: Kevin Eubanks:Sundance
- 9507: Dave Grusin: Mountain Dance
- 9508: Dave Valentin: Kalahari
- 9509: Sampler Vol.1 Limited Edition
- 9510: Diane Schurr: Deedles
- 9511: Dave Grusin: Out of the Shadows
- 9512: Dizzy Gillespie: New Faces
- 9513: Dave Grusin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Themes (Never issued 1987 under the name Cinemagic)
- 9514: Dave Grusin: One Of A Kind
- 9515: Dave Valentin: The Hawk
- 9516: Jay Hoggard: Days Like These
- 9517: Tom Browne: Browne Sugar
- 9518: Scott Jarrett: Without Rhyme Or Reason
- 9519: Dave Valentin: Legends
- 9520: Kevin Eubanks: Opening Night
- 9521: Special EFX: Modern Manners
- 9522: Dave Grusin & Lee Ritenour: Harlequin
- 9523: Dave Valentin: Jungle Garden
- 9524: Lee Ritenour: Rio
- 9525: Lee Ritenour: On The Line
- 9526: Dave Valentin: In Love’s Time (Never issued on CD)
- 9527: Randy Goodrum: Solitary Nights (Japanese Release Only)
- 9528: Billy Cobham: Warning
- 9529: Sampler Vol.2 Limited Edition
- 9531: Diane Schurr: Schurr Thing
- 9532: Grusin/Schurr/Valentin/Ritenour: Live In Session
- 9533: Eddie Daniels: Breakthrough
- 9534: Special EFX: Slice of Life
- 9535: Chick Corea: The Chick Corea Elektric Band
- 9536: Billy Cobham: Power Play
- 9537: Dave Valentin: Light Struck
- 9538: Lee Ritenour: Earth Run
- 9539: Kevin Eubanks: Face To Face
- 9540: Diane Schurr: Timeless
- 9542: Stephane Grappelli: Plays Jerome Kern
- 9543: Special EFX: Mystique
- 9544: Eddie Daniels: To Bird With Love
- 9545: David Benoit: Freedom At Midnight
- 9546: Chick Corea: Light Years
- 9547: Dave Grusin: Cinemagic
- 9548: Duke Ellington Orchestra: Digital Duke
- 9549: New Magic Sampler
- 9550: Diane Schuur & the Count Basie Orchestra
- 9551: Billy Cobham: Picture This
- 9552: Kevin Eubanks: The Heat of Heat
- 9553: Lee Ritenour: Portrait
- 9554: Dave Valentin: Mind Time
- 9555: Tom Scott: Streamlines
- 9556: Szkazchi: Sa: chi
- 9557: Yutaka: Yutaka
- 9558: David Benoit: Every Step of the Way
- 9559: Special EFX: Double Feature
- 9560: John Patitucci: John Patitucci
- 9561: Eddie Daniels: Memos From Paradise
- 9562: Dave & Don Grusin: Sticks and Stones
- 9563: Eric Mariental: Voices of the Heart
- 9564: Chick Corea: Eye of the Beholder
- 9565: Kevin Eubanks: Shadow Prophets
- 9567: Diane Schurr: Talkin’ About You
- 9568: Dave Valentin: Live At The Blue Note
- 9569: Gary Burton: Times Like These
- 9570: Lee Ritenour: Festival
- 9571: Tom Scott: Flashpoint
- 9572: Mark Egan: A Touch of Light
- 9573: Daryl Sturemer: Steppin’ Out
- 9574: Christmas Collection Vol.1
- 9575: Billy Cobham: Billy’s Best Hits
- 9577: Szkazchi: Mystic Dreams
- 9578: Deborah Henson: Conant: On The Rise
- 9579: Dave Grusin: Collection
- 9580: Kevin Eubanks: The Searcher
- 9581: Special EFX: Confidential
- 9582: Chick Corea: Chick Corea Akoustic Band
- 9583: John Patittucci: On The Corner
- 9584: Eddie Daniels: Blackwood
- 9585: Omar Hakim: Rhythm Deep
- 9586: Eric Marienthal: Round Trip
- 9587: David Benoit: Urban Daydreams
- 9588: The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman: Tourist in Paradise
- 9589: New York Voices: New York Voices
- 9591: Diane Schurr: Collection
- 9592: Dave Grusin: Migration
- 9593: Nelson Rangell: Playing for Keeps
- 9594: Lee Ritenour: Color Rit
- 9595: David Benoit: Waiting for Spring
- 9596: Various: Happy Anniversary, Charlie Brown
- 9598: Gary Burton: Reunion
- 9599: Steve Khan: Public Access
- 9600:
- 9601: Chick Corea Elektric Band: Inside Out
- 9602: Don Grusin: Raven
- 9603: Patti Austin: Love’s Gonna Getcha
- 9604: Kevin Eubanks: Promise of Tomorrow
- 9605: The Rippingtons: Moonlighting
- 9607: Eddie Daniels: Nepenthe
- 9608: Spyro Gyra: Fast Forward
- 9609: Special EFX: Just Like Magic
- 9610: Eric Marienthal: Crossroads
- 9611: Larry Carlton: Collection
- 9612: Carl Anderson: Pieces of A Heart
- 9613: Tom Scott: Them Changes
- 9614: Acoustic Alchemy: Reference Point
- 9615: Lee Ritenour: Stolen Moments
- 9616: Yutaka: Brazasia
- 9617: John Patitucci: Sketchbook
- 9618: The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman: Welcome to the St. James' Club
- 9619: Dave Weckl: Master Plan
- 9620: The Meeting: The Meeting
- 9621: David Benoit: Inner Motion
- 9622: Michael Brecker: Now You See It…(Now You Don’t)
- 9623: Michael Paulo: Fusebox
- 9624: Nelson Rangell: Nelson Rangell
- 9625: Tom Schuman: Extremeities
- 9626: George Howard: Dancing In The Sun
- 9627: Chick Corea Akoustic Band: Alive
- 9628: Diane Schurr: Pure Schurr
- 9629: George Howard: Love and Understanding
- 9630: Yellowjackets: Greenhouse
- 9632: Claus Ogerman Featuring Michael Brecker: Claus Ogerman
- 9633: Amani A.W.Murray: Amani A.W.Murray
- 9634: Arturo Sandoval: Flight to Freedom
- 9636: Deborah Henson: Conant: Talking Hands
- 9637: B.B.King: Live At the Apollo
- 9638: The Crusaders: Healing The Wounds
- 9640: Special EFX: Peace of the World
- 9641:
- 9642: Spyro Gyra: Collection
- 9643: Gary Burton: Cool Nights
- 9644: Don Grusin: Zephyr
- 9645: Lee Ritenour: Collection
- 9646: Tom Scott: Keep This Love Alive
- 9647: Szakcsi: Eve of Chance
- 9648: Acoustic Alchemy: Back on the Case
- 9649: Chick Corea Elektric Band: Beneath the Mask
- 9650: Christmas Collection Vol.2
- 9651: The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman: Curves Ahead
- 9652: Voyceboxing: Voyceboxing
- 9653: New York Voices: Hearts of Fire
- 9654: David Benoit: Shadows
- 9655: Eric Marienthal: Oasis
- 9656: Dave Samuels: Natural Selection
- 9657: Kenny Kirkland: Kenny Kirkland
- 9658: Joe Sample: Collection
- 9659: George Howard: Love Will Follow
- 9660: Patti Austin: Carry On
- 9661: Dudley Moore: Songs Without Words
- 9662: Nelson Rangell: In Every Moment
- 9663: Kim Pensyl: 3 Day Weekend
- 9664: Dave Valentin: Musical Portraits
- 9665: Eddie Daniels & Gary Burton: Benny Rides Again
- 9666: Acoustic Alchemy: Early Alchemy
- 9667: Yellowjackets: Live Wires
- 9668: Arturo Sandoval: I Remember Clifford
- 9669: George Howard: Do I Ever Cross Your Mind
- 9670: Special EFX: Global Village
- 9671: Carl Anderson: Fantasy Hotel
- 9672: All: Star Big Band: All Star Big Band
- 9673: Dave Weckl: Heads Up
- 9674: Spyro Gyra: Three Wishes
- 9675: Tom Scott: Born Again
- 9676: Don Grusin: No Borders
- 9677: Rene Luis Toledo: The Dreamer
- 9678: Sal Marquez: One for Dewey
- 9679: Gerry Mulligan: Re: Birth of the Cool
- 9681: The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman: Weekend in Monaco
- 9682: Patti Austin: Live
- 9683: Larry Carlton: Kid Gloves
- 9684: The Brecker Brothers: The Return of the Brecker Brothers
- 9685: Gary Burton: Six Pack
- 9686: George Howard: Steppin' Out
- 9687: David Benoit: Letter to Evan
- 9688: Acoustic Alchemy: The New Edge
- 9689: Yellowjackets: Like A River
- 9690: Special EFX: Collection
- 9691: Eric Marienthal: One Touch
- 9692: Billy Taylor Featuring Gerry Mulligan: Dr.T
- 9693: Yutaka: Another Sun
- 9694: Phillip Bent: The Pressure
- 9695: Nelson Rangell: Truest Heart
- 9696: Dave Samuels: Del Sol
- 9697: Lee Ritenour: Wes Bound
- 9698: Acoustic Alchemy: The New Edge
- 9701: Arturo Sandoval Featuring Michel Legrand: Dream Come True
- 9705: Gold Encore Series: Digital Big Band Bash!
- 9707: Gold Encore Series: I Love A Piano
- 9708: Gold Encore Series: Guitar Fire
- 9709: Gold Encore Series: World of Contemporary Jazz Groups
- 9710: Kim Pensyl: Eyes of Wonder
- 9713: Diane Schurr: Love Songs
- 9714: Spyro Gyra: Dreams Beyond Control
- 9718: The Rippingtons Featuring Russ Freeman: Live in L.A.
- 9719: Don Grusin: Native Land
- 9720: Sergio Salvatore: Sergio Salvatore
- 9721: We’re All In This Together: Group AIDS Benefit
- 9723: Larry Carlton: Renegade Gentleman
- 9724: George Howard: When Summer Comes
- 9725: John Patitucci: Another World
- 9726: Jimmy Haslip: Arc
- 9727: Tony Remy: Boof!
- 9728: Christmas Collection Vol.3
- 9729: Kim Pensyl: A Kim Pensyl Christmas
- 9730: Jack Elliott Featuring Ray Brown: American Jazz Philharmonic
- 9731: Chick Corea Elektric Band II: Paint The World
- 9732: Gold Encore Series: Songbirds
- 9733: Gold Encore Series:Triumphant Sax
- 9734: Christmas Collection 3 Disc Box
- 9737: Sczakci: Straight Ahead
- 9738: Gary Burton & Rebecca Paris: It’s Another Day
- 9739: David Benoit & Russ Freeman: The Benoit/Freeman Project
- 9740: Dave Grusin: Dave Grusin Presents The All: Star Big Band: Live!
- 9742: Ramsey Lewis: Sky Islands
- 9746: The Crusaders: Live In Japan
- 9747: Gold Encore Series: Sound The Trumpets
- 9748: Gold Encore Series: Balladeers!
- 9749: Gold Encore Series: Feeling The Blues
- 9750: Gold Encore Series: Magical Duos
- 9752: Tom Scott: Reed My Lips
- 9753: Billy Taylor: It’s A Matter of Pride
- 9754: Yellowjackets: Run For Your Life
- 9755: Nelson Rangell: Yes, Then Yes
- 9760: Dave Weckl: Hard: Wired
- 9761: Arturo Sandoval: Danzón (Dance On)
- 9762: Sergio Salvatore: Tune Up
- 9766: New York Voices: Collection
- 9767: Diane Schurr & B.B.King: Heart to Heart
- 9769: Dave Valentin: Tropic Heat
- 9770: Kim Pensyl: Pensyl Sketches Collection
- 9774: Chick Corea: Expressions
- 9776: Gold Encore Series: Feel the Vibes
- 9778: Carl Anderson: Heavy Weather Sunlight Again
- 9779: Don Grusin: Banana Fish
- 9780: George Howard: A Home Far Away
- 9781: Russ Freeman And The Rippingtons: Sahara
- 9782: Gold Encore Series: Jazz Live
- 9783: Acoustic Alchemy: Against The Grain
- 9784: The Brecker Brothers: Out of the Loop
- 9785: Eric Marienthal: Street Dance
- 9787: David Benoit: Shaken Not Stirred
- 9788: Teodross Avery Quartet: In Other Words
- 9789: Dave Grusin: The Orchestral Album
- 9790: Gold Encore Series: Jazz Romance
- 9791: Gold Encore Series: Jazz Exotica
- 9792: Gold Encore Series: Covering All The Bassists
- 9793: Gold Encore Series: Beat of A Different Drummer
- 9794: Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool
- 9796: Gold Encore Series: The Joy of Christmas
- 9800: All: Star Big Band: All Blues
- 9802: John Patitucci: Mistura Fina
- 9803: Tom Scott: Night Creatures
- 9805: Gary Burton & Makato Ozone: Face to Face
- 9806: Billy Taylor Trio: Homage
- 9808: Spyro Gyra: Love and Other Obsessions
- 9809: Yellowjackets: Collection
- 9814: Nelson Rangell: Destiny
- 9815: Urban Knights: Urban Knights I
- 9817: Lee Ritenour & Larry Carlton: Larry and Lee
- 9821: Patti Austin: The Ultimate Collection
- 9822: Arturo Sandoval: Arturo Sandoval & El Train Latino
- 9824: George Benson: That's Right
