George Avakian

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George Avakian (born Armavir, Russian Federation, March 15, 1919) is an American record producer and executive known particularly for his work with Columbia Records, and his production of albums by Miles Davis and other notable jazz musicians.

Avakian in 2007

Avakian was born in Armavir, Russian Federation, to Armenian parents. His brother was the photographer and filmmaker Aram Avakian (1926-1987). He attended Yale University, and became an avid collector and fan of jazz music. While still at Yale he was responsible for the first reissues Columbia put out around 1940, discovering some unissued Louis Armstrong masters from his Hot Five and Hot Seven period in the process. He would later produce some of Armstrong's most important albums of the traditional jazz revival era, including "Louis Armstrong Plays W. C. Handy".

His long period at Columbia Records culminated in him becoming responsible for the Popular Music and International divisions. Avakian signed Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis to the label, amongst others. Later he fulfilled a role as producer at Warner Brothers (from 1959) and at RCA Victor. In 1960-61 he produced recordings by Bill Haley & His Comets for Warner Bros. Records. In 1962 he was responsible for organizing Benny Goodman's successful tour of the USSR.

From about 1970 to 1974, he was the manager of Keith Jarrett; before this, he had managed the Charles Lloyd Quartet of which Jarrett was a member. After this he largely retired from the record business and bred racehorses.

He is a founding officer of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In 2000, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Down Beat magazine.

Upon seeing the cover of seeing his album Miles Ahead, released on Columbia Records, Miles Davis is reported to have said: "Why'd you put that white bitch on there?" Miles Davis Wikiquote Page. The cover, which had been chosen by Avakian while he was working at Columbia, was subsequently changed.

Avakian is married to violinist Anahid Ajemian, and the two, together with Ajemian's pianist sister Maro Ajemian, were critical in helping classical composer Alan Hovhaness achieve his international breakthrough in the 1950s, through concert performances and Avakian securing numerous LP recordings.