JDub Records
JDub Records was a non-profit record and event production company that produced Jewish music and cross cultural musical dialogue.[1] JDub, unlike most record labels, derived half its annual income from foundations and individual donors and the other half from record and ticket sales. As a non-profit Jewish organization its stated mission was to "forge vibrant connections to Judaism through music, media and cultural events." JDub operations included the an artists fellowship program, overseeing the Jewcy website, event production and consulting.[2]
Along with the Foundation for Jewish Culture and Avoda Arts, JDub launched The Six Points Fellowship for Emerging Jewish Artists, an artist development program financed by $1 million from the Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal of UJA-Federation. The grant, described as the largest ever by UJA to an arts organization, will give each of 12 New York-based artists up to $45,000 for living expenses and project-related support for two years.[3]
History
Founded in December 2002 by two NYU students, Ben Hesse and Aaron Bisman. In its start-up phase, JDub focused on developing a small cadre of artists, including Matisyahu, SoCalled, and Balkan Beat Box. In October 2009, JDub adopted Jewcy, an online magazine and blog.[4] JDub COO Jacob Harris led the acquisition and served as publisher of Jewcy.[5]
On July 1, 2004, JDub produced "The Unity Sessions" at Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park, Brooklyn. The event brought Israeli, Palestinian, Jewish, and American Muslim performers including Matisyahu, Sagol 59, TN (Tamer Nafar), and Mooke.[6]
On October 28, 2004, JDub released Matisyahu's debut album, Shake Off the Dust... Arise.
In December 2009, JDub announced a strategic partnership with Nextbook[7] which publishes books in collaboration with Random House's Shocken imprint,[8] and produces Tablet Magazine.[9] According to the JTA: "Under the partnership, the two organizations will remain separate and will still produce their own records and books and cultural materials, but JDub will essentially become Nextbook’s in-house marketing and PR department."
In July 2011 JDub announced it would close due to an inability to find new funding and the collapse of the music industry in general.[10]
Artists
- Balkan Beat Box
- Can Can
- Axum
- Golem
- The LeeVees
- Soulico
- Matisyahu (2003-2006, Management; 2003-2005, Label)
- Michael Showalter (comedian)
- Girls in Trouble
- The Macaroons
- Socalled
- Sagol 59
- DeLeon
- Tomer Yosef (lead MC of Balkan Beat Box)
- The Sway Machinery
- The Wailing Wall
- Steve "The Gangsta Rabbi" Lieberman
See also
References
- ^ Lando, Michal (2006-10-18). "Promoting Continuity Through Music and the Arts". JPOST. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
- ^ Gensler, Andy (July 14, 2011). "JDub Records Shutting Down". Billboard. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ VAN GELDER, LAWRENCE (July 13, 2006). "Arts, Briefly". New York Times. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ see JDub Adopts Jewcy
- ^ Jackson, Julia. "JEWCY's The Greatest 3-Minute Guilt Stories Ever". Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ Sisario, Ben (July 8, 2004). "The Israel Debate, To a Beat". New York Times. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
- ^ Inside the Nextbook-JDub partnership, Jacob Berkman, December 22, 2009
- ^ About Nextbook Press
- ^ Nextbook becomes Tablet, By Jacob Berkman · June 9, 2009
- ^ Music Dies for JDub Records