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Universal Music UK revives Fontana label led by Tom Lewis; Laura Monks named President at Decca Records
Universal Music Group‘s UK division has revived the historic Fontana label as a dedicated home for jazz, folk, blues and soul artists, while consolidating its classical music operations under a single executive.
Tom Lewis has been appointed as President of Fontana after previously serving as co-president of Decca Records. The revamped label will house a roster including Jacob Collier, AURORA, Jeff Goldblum, Jordan Rakei, Melody Gardot, Victor Ray, The Teskey Brothers and dodie.
Laura Monks, who previously shared leadership of Decca with Lewis since 2021, will now serve as sole president of the classical label. Her expanded role covers Decca Records, Decca Classics, Mercury KX and Hyperion and their artists such as Ludovico Einaudi, Andrea Bocelli, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Lise Davidsen, Yunchan Lim and Max Richter.
Fontana, founded over 70 years ago as part of Phillips, played a key role in jazz history. The label released recordings by Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Art Blakey, Clifford Brown and Eric Dolphy, as well as British jazz icons like Tubby Hayes, Cleo Laine and Ronnie Scott.
In the 1960, the label facilitated releases from Jimmy Page including his first single She Just Satisfies, Elton John’s first band Bluesology and a mod outfit from West London called The High Numbers, which went on to become The Who. The label maintained relevance through the 1980s and 1990s with acts including Tears for Fears, The Fall, James, The House of Love, Swing Out Sister and Oleta Adams.
“We begin this new chapter of the label with an ambitious and experienced team, a sense of adventure, and a formidably talented roster of artists.”
Tom Lewis, Fontana
The revived Fontana will now serve as the UK home for Universal Music’s affiliated jazz labels Blue Note, Verve, and Impulse!.
Tom Lewis, President of Fontana, said: “Some of the most important jazz records ever made arrived on these shores carrying the Fontana logo. We begin this new chapter of the label with an ambitious and experienced team, a sense of adventure, and a formidably talented roster of artists.”
Dickon Stainer, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK, added: “These changes reflect our commitment to supporting artistic excellence in these great genres of music. I’m delighted to see Tom and Laura shaping the future of both labels, and opening new avenues of discovery for artists and fans across the world.”
“I’m delighted to see Tom and Laura shaping the future of both labels, and opening new avenues of discovery for artists and fans across the world.”
Dickon Stainer, Universal Music UK
Monks brings 14 years of experience at Decca to her new role. Upcoming releases under Decca, which Monks will oversee, include Max Richter’s score for Hamnet and Paddington The Musical.
Monks said: “It is an honor to lead this prestigious label into a new era. Decca has navigated and evolved over an astounding 96 years but remains a source of musical excellence, cultural connection and discovery. I look forward to building on these values and reaching even wider global audiences with a growing team of passionate experts.”
Fontana’s relaunch marks a full-circle moment for the label after Universal Music Group sold it to Ingrooves Music in 2012. UMG acquired Ingrooves in 2019, bringing back Fontana to its fold.
“Decca has navigated and evolved over an astounding 96 years but remains a source of musical excellence, cultural connection and discovery.”
Laura Monks, Decca Records
Elsewhere at Universal Music UK, its label Polydor Label Group earlier this month restructured its senior management with a series of internal promotions, appointing Jodie Cammidge as the sole Managing Director of the whole group.
Cammidge will work closely with artists and teams as PLG seeks to bolster operations across its four UK labels: Polydor, Capitol, 0207 Def Jam and Chaos Records. Paddy Mclean has been named General Manager of PLG.
Music Business Worldwide
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