BMI is saddened by the passing of legendary jazz saxophonist, composer and educator Charles Davis. Featured on more than 100 recordings, including his own compositions, Davis played with such jazz greats as Billie Holiday, Lionel Hampton, Dinah Washington, Elvin Jones and Shirley Scott, to name but a few. He was… Read more...
The Clyde Otis Music Group, which represents the iconic music of BMI songwriter, producer and A&R executive, the late Clyde Otis, has entered into an admin partnership with Third Side Music. Otis’ catalogue, which is managed by his son, Isidro Otis, includes hits by Nat “King” Cole, Aretha… Read more...
Broadcast Music, Inc. mourns the loss of Rose Marie McCoy, a prolific jazz and R&B songwriter, who passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2015, in Urbana, Illinois. She was 92. McCoy was one of the first female African-American writers to break into the music business. Born in Oneida, Arkansas, McCoy… Read more...
It hasn’t been an easy few months for Amy Winehouse, as a quick scan of the headlines over the past several months readily attests. But for all the sturm und drang being played out in the press, the fact remains that Winehouse is first and foremost a musician, and news… Read more...
Renowned songwriter and producer Clyde Otis, a member of the BMI Foundation Artistic Advisory Panel, was pronounced dead at Englewood Hospital on January 8. He was 83 years old. Best-known for his long and enormously successful collaboration with singer Brook Benton, Clyde Otis was among the most prolific songwriters and… Read more...
Max Roach, the musical genius who helped create modern jazz and is considered to be one of the most important drummers in the genre’s history, died August 16 in New York City. He was 83. His cause of death was undisclosed. Roach, a BMI affiliate since 1961, was born Jan.… Read more...
BMI blues artist Shemekia Copeland collected three trophies at the 24th Annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards, presented by the Blues Foundation at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, Tennessee (5/23). Copeland was named Contemporary Female Artist of the Year and her Talking To Strangers was voted both… Read more...
Legendary vibraphonist, bandleader, and BMI jazz composer Lionel Hampton died of heart failure on Saturday, August 31 at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center. The 94-year-old "King of the Vibes" battled through several major illnesses including a cerebral hemorrhage in 1992… Read more...
At BMI, Black Music Month Is Celebrated All Year Long By Rob Patterson From the dawning days of rhythm & blues through today's multifaceted urban music scene, BMI has been at the forefront of music from the African American tradition,… Read more...
Though she admits her auspicious career has just begun in earnest, country-soul singer Shelby Lynne has already reached a level of success and recognition that few artists can even hope to achieve.It happened in early 2001, when Lynne took Best New Artist honors at the 49th annual Grammy Awards gala… Read more...
