Ed Seaman, CEO of MVD Entertainment, announced that the company has entered into a strategic partnership with Cherry Red Records to acquire the distribution rights to Jay Records’ full physical catalog in perpetuity.
Jay Records is a UK-based label that specializes in theatrical recordings of the some of the biggest classical and musical theater stars and composers in the world, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Kurt Weill, Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Cole Porter, Liza Minnelli, Richard Harris and more.
Ed Seaman commented, “We are thrilled to work with such a venerable label – Jay Records is legendary for their amazing catalog of one-of-a-kind recordings. We look forward to working with our long-time partners at Cherry Red to build on this unique legacy.”
Adam Velasco, Managing Director of Cherry Red Records stated, “Cherry Red have a history of working with interesting catalogue and this is a fascinating project for us. John Yap has built a significant and unique collection under the Jay Records name, and we look forward to working alongside Jay and MVD to make these albums available to the public for many years to come.”
The upcoming release schedule will include key titles on vinyl for the first time, as well as re-issue CD packages and select new releases.
Jay Records’ founder John Yap will continue to be involved, including bringing new and remastered additions to the catalog. Plans currently include the release of major recordings in the fourth quarter of 2023 and into 2024.
John Yap started JAY/TER Records in 1980 with a ‘live’ recording of the revue Nashville, New York (Music by Kurt Weill and Vernon Duke, Lyrics by Ogden Nash) at The King’s Head Theatre. London. Even though this was a Fringe production, it is quite clear that the quality of the works is inherent and important to JAY/TER’s choice of recordings, a standard that has endured to this day. In over 35 years John has produced hundreds of recordings, including works by Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Lerner and Loewe, Kander and Ebb, Kurt Weill, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern and virtually every significant Broadway and West End writers and composers. (*Source: BroadwayWorld.com).
About Cherry Red: Founded in 1978, UK independent record label Cherry Red is known for frontline albums from established artists and catalogue reissues from every genre. The label puts out over 300 physical releases a year over fifteen active labels, are the custodians of several unique artist and label catalogue. The label also runs a publishing arm and sponsors various football league endeavors.
