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Digital
Blue Note launches first commercial app to come out of OpenEMI
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 8 October 2012
The now Universal-owned jazz label Blue Note last week launched a brand new iPad app, described as “the ultimate digital box-set for both jazz aficionados and newcomers alike”, which is the first commercial release to come out of the previously reported OpenEMI initiative, which gave app developers access to chunks of the EMI catalogue, plus licensing and marketing support, via The Echo Nest business. Made by a company called Groovebug, the new app offers free 30 second clips of a big selection of Blue Note tracks, and for a monthly subscription of $1.99 or £1.49 the tracks can be enjoyed in full.
Don Was, who became President of Blue Note Records at the start of the year, told reporters: “We are excited to be linked with the first app to be created through the OpenEMI initiative. As a label, Blue Note is not only dedicated to pushing boundaries musically, but also to developing new ways of connecting the label’s music with fans around the globe. Groovebug and the OpenEMI team have developed an innovative way to discover and showcase Blue Note music in a way that is consistent with our tradition of uncompromising artistic excellence”.
While Neil Tinegate, VP Digital Projects at EMI Music, added: “Groovebug have done an amazing job with the Blue Note App, creating a fantastic experience that really brings this outstanding content to life. The app looks and sounds incredible, and is a brilliant way to get completely immersed in the world of Blue Note and its seminal artists. The partnership approach of the OpenEMI process has meant that whilst EMI has taken care of tasks such as licensing and clearances, and now distribution and marketing, Groovebug have been able to concentrate on what they do best – designing and building a stunning app”.
And, Jeremiah Seraphine, CEO and co-founder of Groovebug, said: “We are delighted that EMI took the lead in pioneering a forward thinking partnership approach for working with technology companies. The new approach incentivises developers to build consumer-centric products with business models, rather than churning out more cookie-cutter marketing products that don’t offer value to the consumer. Ultimately the music fan benefits when forward thinking technologies like the Groovebug Platform are applied to amazing catalogues of music like the Blue Note jazz collection”.
