# Music Works International Grows Stellar Global Roster with Seven New Signings

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2017/11/10/music-works-international-grows-stellar-global-roster-with-seven-new-signings/
- Published: 2017-11-10T21:55:28+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**International booking agency welcomes Quincy Jones 85th Birthday Bash, Dave Holland,
Catherine Russell, Omer Avital, Roosevelt Collier, Lionel Loueke, and Sly & Robbie
Meet Nils Petter Molvaer NorDub project**

Boston, MA, USA | November 8, 2017 — Music Works International, the boutique agency
led by industry veteran, Katherine McVicker, expands artist roster with icons of
jazz, blues, R&B, and world music.

“It is with great pride that we welcome these renowned artists to our roster,” Director
Katherine McVicker​ says, adding, “the level of excitement our team feels with the
opportunity to work with such celebrated musicians is palpable. We recognize that
fostering these relationships help build on our long-term goals as an international
agency and allows us to grow our brand on a global scale.”

Home to 32 international touring artists including Dianne Reeves, Lizz Wright, Christian
McBride, Branford Marsalis, Vijay Iyer, Kurt Elling, Ambrose Akinmusire, Jason Moran,
and Bokanté — the world music project created by Snarky Puppy’s Michael League and
Malika Tirolien — MWI enters Autumn with a flurry of new signings by welcoming seven
artists and special projects.

**DAVE HOLLAND**, legendary bassist, composer, bandleader, and esteemed NEA Jazz
Master whose passion for the musical expression of all styles, and dedication to
creating consistently innovative music ensembles have propelled a professional career
of more than 50 years and earned him top honors in his field  including multiple
Grammy awards and the title of NEA Jazz Master in 2017. Holland rose to prominence
playing alongside the likes of Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Sam Rivers, Betty Carter,
and Anthony Braxton – as well as collaborations with heroes Chick Corea, Gary Burton,
Jack DeJohnette, and John McLaughlin.

**CATHERINE RUSSELL**, the celebrated jazz and blues singer whose dusky and soulful
voice radiates interpretive power with touching vulnerability. As a multi-award 
winning artist, Russell has released six records and appeared on stage with – and
on the recordings of – an equally impressive list of performers to include David
Bowie, Madonna, Rosanne Cash, Steely Dan, Diana Ross, Levon Helm, Cyndi Lauper, 
and Dr. John.

**OMER AVITAL**, visionary composer and virtuoso bass player whose genre-defying
ensembles are pushing the boundaries of jazz expression and providing audiences 
with swing and spiritual sustenance in equal measure. Called “one of the most exciting
musicians to come onto the jazz scene in the last 20 years” (DownBeat), Avital has
the keen sensibility to combine music from his Middle Eastern background with classical
and modern Western jazz.

**ROOSEVELT COLLIER** does his hollering on the sacred steel guitar. Brought up 
in the tradition of the House of God Church in Southern Florida, Collier built his
reputation along side his uncles and cousins in The Lee Boys. Taking his sound into
new directions as an integral member of new group Bokanté, lead by Snarky Puppy’s
Michael League, and as the leader of his world-famous “get-down” – the long-awaited
Roosevelt Collier debut, due in 2018, features an incredible mixture of blues, gospel,
rock, and funk.

Special Project **QUINCY JONES 85TH ANNIVERSARY BASH **will celebrate the life and
legacy of the mastermind behind some of the 20th and 21st century’s greatest hits.
With Jones turning 85, Quincy Jones Productions is touring an unforgettable tribute
show with a live orchestra, special guests, and an onstage surprise from Quincy 
himself. Working with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday,
Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Quincy’s material satisfies a range
of musical tastes.

Special Project **NORDUB: SLY & ROBBIE MEET NILS PETTER MOLVÆR** – presented in 
cooperation with Mark van den Bergh, Music Without Borders. Norwegian Nils Petter
Molvær – world-renowned jazz trumpeter and pioneer of the genre of nu jazz-meets-
the-Jamaican reggae super duo of drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robbie Shakespeare
for this special collaboration. Together, Sly and Robbie reshaped the face of indigenous
reggae and dub music, and as pioneers in the use of musical technology, they have
developed an innovative new sound that extols different genres and sound styles.

Special Project **LIONEL LOUEKE** brings jazz into vibrant contact with the sounds
of West Africa, in particular his native Benin. Combining harmonic complexity, soaring
melody, and conventional and extended guitar techniques to create a warm and evocative
sound of his own. Loueke is a member of the celebrated Blue Note’s 75th anniversary
Blue Note All-Star group and has recorded with greats like Herbie Hancock, Dave 
Holland, Terence Blanchard, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, and Joe Lovano, as well as contemporaries
including Esperanza Spalding, Gretchen Parlato, Kendrick Scott.

_**About Music Works International**_

Music Works International collaborates with the world’s finest musicians, promoters,
and venues to develop tours that expand audiences, artists, and markets. MWI’s deep
experience creatively powers the artistic development and vision of an exceptional
roster of musicians and bands spanning jazz, world music, folk, and R&B. MWI’s technique
of expansion is to build communities of regional presenters who collaborate to create
strong and profit-generating tours.
 **_About Katherine McVicker_**

Katherine McVicker founded Music Works International in 2014, after 3 decades in
the music industry as an agent developing the touring careers for dozens of artists
such as Michael Brecker, Esperanza Spalding, Wayne Shorter, Dianne Reeves, Brad 
Mehldau, Lizz Wright, The Bad Plus, Jason Moran, Richard Bona, Joshua Redman, Joe
Lovano, Vijay Iyer and noted world music artists such as Ladysmith Black Mambazo,
Spanish Harlem Orchestra and The Gloaming. Katherine also launched the European 
touring career of Norah Jones in 2000 and worked with her until 2007 developing 
her profile in Europe. McVicker continues to develop her boutique agency with an
eye toward expanding opportunities for established artists on the roster as well
as fostering the live performance careers of the next generation of jazz icons Ambrose
Akinmusire, Aaron Diehl and Justin Kauflin and the finest American roots artists,
Ruthie Foster, Blind Boys of Alabama and Jon Cleary. Katherine is available for 
interviews or for clinics on the state of the industry, international touring, and
artist development.

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