BIG BEAR NEWS MARCH 2009

BIG BEAR NEWS MARCH 2009
Big Bear Music Group Based In Birmingham Since 1968

Birmingham Home To U.K’s Longest Established Independent Recording Company
Birmingham’s recording company Big Bear Records are currently celebrating their 40th anniversary. Probably the longest established independent record label in the U.K, Big Bear has been at the forefront of Jazz, Swing and Blues since 1968. The Company was named by the legendary radio presenter, John Peel, who thought the gait of the label’s founder, Jim Simpson, resembled that of a bear. The label grew out of Simpson’s production company, which had steered Black Sabbath through the first three- and best- albums of their career. Initially recording U.S. bluesmen, the repertoire expanded to include British and American jazz and swing musicians and an impressive portfolio of Birmingham bands

Big Bear Artists on the Road
Brand leaders in Jump, Jive and Swing, King Pleasure and The Biscuit Boys can be seen and heard at Keele University[March 6], Mill at Sonning [8], The Robin, Bilston [19] Fire Station, Windsor[21], Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury [27] and at Judges in Yarm [28]. Suddenly everyone is talking about Preston-based Tipitina who continue dispensing their own brand of New Orleans Blues, Boogie and Barrelhouse at Seven Artspace, Leeds [March 13] and at the Platform, Morecambe [28] . Hot Sinti Gypsy combo Nomy Rosenberg Trio feature at De Zevensprong, Rotterdam [March 13] and at the Turku Jazz Festival [14]. While Big Bear stablemates, purveyors of New Breed swing, The Doctor Teeth Big Band play The Jam House, Birmingham[March 19] and the Gala Theatre Durham [21] . Big Bear bookings at The Public in West Bromwich line up as The Fabulous Boogie Boys [7], Tom Hill Trio[8], Sandwell Youth Jazz Orchestra[15], The Toy Hearts[21], Steve Pacitto Band[22] and Judith Haustein from Germany [29].

Birmingham’s Record Company Inks Distribution Deal for France-and Extends In Six Other Territories

As a result of a successful Midem 2009, Big Bear Records have signed exclusive CD distribution for France with Codaex Distribution of Medan. Ten CD Titles have shipped for the initial wave of French releases on the Birmingham label, including albums by big-selling local swing, rhythm and blues combo King Pleasure & the Biscuit Boys and the latest recordings by Tipitina, Django’s Castle with Bruce Adams and The Nomy Rosenberg Trio. At the same time, Big Bear Records confirm that their exclusive distribution deals have been extended for Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg with Dee2 Records of Weese, Holland and for Germany, Austria and Switzerland with H’art Musik of Marl, Germany.

Dates Announced For Birmingham International Jazz Festival
The Birmingham International Jazz Festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary from July 3rd to 12th 2009. Europe’s biggest free Jazz party is expected to attract over 115,000 jazz fans to this city, creating a considerable spend in the city’s retail and leisure sectors. The Credit Squeeze will positively affect the event, with more British holidaymakers deterred by the weak pound and seeking interesting U.K alternatives, and the increase of inbound foreign tourism to the U.K, taking advantage of the increased value of their Dollars and Euros. 200 events are planned over the ten days with 90% of them free to the public.

Spanish and Dutch Gypsy Attractions Sign to Birmingham’s Label
Bucking the general trend to cutback on CD releases, Big Bear Records have pulled off what is widely considered a to be a coup in international jazz terms with the signing of leading Gypsy attractions from Holland and Spain. The Nomy Rosenberg Trio are arguably the most important gypsy combo of the last decade and seem to carry the musical hopes of the entire Sinti Gypsy nation. Eindhoven-based Nomy Rosenberg, a direct descendant from Django Reinhardt, has been playing major concerts and festivals since he was eleven as rhythm guitarist in brother Jimmy’s band. He played a sell-out Carnegie Hall concert in New York with George Benson when he was 15, and has since performed with Stevie Wonder, Les Paul and Eric Clapton. This will be the first CD under his name. Django’s Castle from Barcelona have been at the forefront of Spanish Gypsy Swing for a decade, with leader Pere Soto in demand worldwide, featuring in Mexico and the U.S.A and as a soloist with The Bolivian Symphony Orchestra, performing his own compositions. Their new CD release on Big Bear Records “Swing Hotel Du Vin” was recorded live during the 2008 Birmingham International Jazz Festival and sees them teamed with top U.K trumpet star, Bruce Adams. Bruce won the 2008 British Jazz Award for Best Trumpet

Musical Chairs-Staff Movement at Big Bear Towers
Head of International Lea Rodoz has returned to her native France, after a successful term at Big Bear where she set up and managed distribution and agency across six European territories. Her replacement, Pierre-Henri Loupias, takes up post on March 16. Dale Grinsell has settled in to the newly created role as Head of Digital since his arrival in early February.

For further information please contact Jim Simpson at Big Bear Music, PO Box 944, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B16 8UT. Tel: 0121 454 7020 Fax: 0121 454 9996 Email: admin@bigbearmusic.com