UMG UK Revives Fontana Label, to be Led By Tom Lewis

Universal Music Group (UMG) UK has announced the return of legendary label Fontana.

The set-up:

• Tom Lewis moves from Co-President of Decca Records to take up the role of Fontana President.

• Fontana’s roster includes Jacob Collier, AURORA, Jeff Goldblum, Jordan Rakei, Melody Gardot, Victor Ray, The Teskey Brothers and dodie.

• It will also be the UK home for the jazz, folk, blues and soul artists from Universal Music’s affiliate labels Blue Note, Verve, and Impulse!.

• Fourteen-year Decca veteran Laura Monks moves from Co-President to the label’s sole President.

• She will be responsible for overseeing the artist rosters of Decca Records, Decca Classics, Mercury KX and Hyperion, including Ludovico Einaudi, Andrea Bocelli, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, Lise Davidsen, Yunchan Lim and Max Richter.

History:

• Founded over 70 years ago, Fontana played a pivotal role in recorded jazz history, releasing artists such as Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Dave Brubeck, Tubby Hayes, Ronnie Scott and more.

• It also released a number of pop hits, including The Troggs’ “Wild Thing” and “Keep On Running” by the Spencer Davis Group.

• In the late-’80s and ’90s it enjoyed success with acts such as The Fall, Tears For Fears, Swing Out Sister and more.

What they said:

• Tom Lewis: “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.”

• Laura Monks: “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.”