This guy was huge. I can't thank him enough for his contribution to Jazz, especially for the amazing Louis Armstrong Plays W.C. Handy. RIP and thanks for the excellent music.

George Avakian, Record Producer and Talent Scout, Dies at 98

By Peter Keepnews
Nov. 22, 2017


George Avakian with Louis Armstrong and W.C. Handy, center, in an undated photograph. Mr. Avakian helped popularize the long-playing record and organized the first jazz reissue series, preserving the recorded legacies of Armstrong and other pioneers. Credit Columbia Records


George Avakian, a record producer and talent scout who played a key role in the early careers of Miles Davis, Dave Brubeck, Keith Jarrett and Bob Newhart, among many others, died on Wednesday at his home in on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He was 98.

His death was confirmed by his daughter Anahid Avakian Gregg.

Over the course of a career that began when he was in college, Mr. Avakian (pronounced a-VOCK-ee-an) was involved in virtually every facet of the music industry. He helped popularize the long-playing record; organized the first jazz reissue series, preserving the recorded legacies of Louis Armstrong and other pioneers; and introduced Édith Piaf to American audiences.

[www.nytimes.com]

Wow, what a life. Never heard of him before. RIP.