Mercator Media - new Houston label

[GA Russell]

I received this press release today:

Mercator Media, New Houston-Based Label,

Debuts Next Month with CDs

by Jazz Vocalists

Bryan Anthony & Yvonne Washington

Both Discs Feature Gary Norian

As Pianist, Arranger, Composer, Co-Producer

June 22, 2011

The new Houston label Mercator Media is set to launch next month with the release of CDs by two exceptional jazz vocalists who call Houston home. A Night Like This, on which Bryan Anthony is backed by the Gary Norian Trio with bassist Thomas Helton and drummer Joel Fulgham, is due July 12. Yvonne Washington's Trust in Me, which features Norian as her sole accompanist, will be released July 26.

Mercator was founded by Houston business executive Scott D. Josey with the idea that "the artist matters." Josey is a longtime music fan who studied piano for a time with Gary Norian. "At Mercator, instead of the traditional recording contract, we utilize profit-sharing concepts similar to those employed in private equity arrangements to create a partnership where the artist and label work together," says Josey. "With commercial success, both the artist and Mercator benefit, which is the way it should be."

Josey was deeply impressed with Norian's musicianship ("He's the whole package") and brought him on board as Mercator's de facto A&R director.

"It's exciting to be part of something that's being built from the ground level, from just an idea, and at the same time to have such a big hand in the actual content," says Norian, a Chicago native who's lived in Houston since 1999. "I wanted it to be something extremely high-end from the musical standpoint, high-caliber performance and writing and production, since this is our maiden voyage."

Yvonne Washington has long been one of the busiest and most versatile singers on the Houston scene, and has frequently worked with Norian in a duo setting over the last ten years. Bryan Anthony, Texas-bred and New York-schooled, soars on his new CD with Norian's deftly swinging trio behind him (and sings three of Gary's original compositions in addition to American Songbook repertoire).

Plans for Mercator include a Gary Norian project in the coming year and a general focus on American music art forms such as jazz and roots music. "There's an Austin vibe to that," says Norian, though the talent pool that's being tapped is all Houston.

In addition, the label is intending to seek bookings -- at local clubs and regional festivals, for starters -- that will feature the entire roster. "What Mercator is doing is providing opportunities for music and people we think deserve to be heard," says Norian. "And the artists are more than willing partners in this joint venture."

Mercator Media Web Site:

www.mercatormediaco.com

YouTube:

www.youtube.com/mercatormediatx

[Chuck Nessa]

Best of luck, but...................

[clifford_thornton]

That press release grosses me out.

[alankin]

"...we utilize profit-sharing concepts similar to those employed in private equity arrangements..."

Yikes! Good luck with that.

Edited June 23, 2011 by alankin

[GA Russell]

I've been enjoying the Bryan Anthony album. It is very laid back. He reminds me of John Vance, and a little bit of Harry Connick, Jr.

Gary Norian does a great job on piano.

But beware - I consider this to be a cabaret album, not really jazz. Sophisticated with the occasional improvisation, but has the feeling of cabaret.

[GA Russell]

I've been enjoying the Yvonne Washington - Trust in Me disc as well.

In this case, there is no bass and drums accompaniment, just Gary Norian on piano. The result is the same sound as the Bryan Anthony album because the bass and drums there didn't make a mark for themselves.

There is a fair amount of the blues in Washington's singing, but the overall vibe of the album is cabaret as it is with the Anthony album.

I can imagine that both artists in concert would be very popular among those who don't particularly like jazz but do like music aimed at the adult market. As long as there is no false advertising, I can recommend both albums.