Tommy LiPuma

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Tommy LiPuma
Warner Bros. (1979–1990)
  • Elektra Records (1990–1995)
  • GRP/Verve
    • (1994–2011)

    Tommy LiPuma (July 5, 1936 – March 13, 2017) was an American music producer. His productions received 33 Grammy nominations, five Grammy wins, and sold over 75 million albums.[1] LiPuma worked with many musicians, including Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis, Bill Evans, George Benson, Phil Upchurch, Al Jarreau, Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, Gábor Szabó, Claudine Longet, Dave Mason, the Yellowjackets, the Sandpipers,

    The Crusaders, Joe Sample, Randy Crawford and Dr. John. In 2020, his biography, The Ballad of Tommy LiPuma, written by Ben Sidran and published by Nardis Books, was named "the music biography of the year" by The New York City Jazz Record.[2]

    Career

    LiPuma was born in Cleveland, the fourth of five children. His parents were immigrants from

    Nat Cole. Inspired by the music, he began taking lessons on the tenor saxophone. While playing in local big bands, he also attended barber school, intending to follow in his father's footsteps.[4] However, a chance opportunity to go on tour with a band changed his plans. His first real job in the music business was as an entry-level employee for a local Cleveland music distributor, M.S. Distributors, where eventually he became the local promotions representative.[5]

    Liberty/Imperial and A&M

    In 1961, LiPuma worked as a promotional representative for

    Sandpipers, "The More I See You" for Chris Montez; and gold albums for French singer Claudine Longet (Claudine and The Look of Love). He delivered dialogue in Claudine Longet
    's 1968 single "A Walk in the Park".

    Blue Thumb

    Inspired by the cultural changes of the late 1960s, including such events as the

    Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks.[6]

    Columbia Records and Warner Bros. Records

    In 1974, LiPuma took on a production assignment for

    Grammy for the track "This Masquerade". Further chart success continued with music by Michael Franks, Al Jarreau, Stuff, Eumir Deodato, Bill Evans, Antônio Carlos Jobim, João Gilberto
    and Dan Hicks.

    A&M/Horizon and Warner Bros. Records

    From 1978–79, LiPuma was hired to handle

    Everything But The Girl
    .

    Elektra Records

    In 1990, LiPuma left Warner Bros. to become Senior Vice-President at

    Little Jimmy Scott at Sire Records and produced the soundtrack for David Mamet's film Glengarry Glen Ross
    .

    GRP/Verve Records

    From 1994 to 2011, LiPuma worked for

    When I Look In Your Eyes, sold 2 million copies and was nominated for Album of the Year.[7] Her next album The Look of Love, debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard's Albums chart, selling over 4 million copies globally.[citation needed] Krall's 2002 album, Live in Paris, netted LiPuma his third Grammy.[8]

    From 2004 to 2011 he was Chairman Emeritus at Verve. While at Verve, LiPuma was able to freelance again, producing tracks for non-Verve artists such as Michael Bublé, Willie Nelson, Barbra Streisand, Joe Sample & Randy Crawford (PRA Records), Luis Salinas, and Paul McCartney (producing the ex-Beatle's first-ever standards album, Kisses on the Bottom).

    Personal life

    Outside of music, LiPuma collected 20th Century American Modern art.[4] Works from his collection, featuring pieces from artists Marsden Hartley, John Marin, Arthur Dove and Alfred Maurer, have been exhibited at various galleries and museums throughout the United States.[9]

    On March 26, 2012, Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio, named their new arts studies center the Gill & Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts.[10][11]

    LiPuma died in New York City, at the age of 80.[12]

    References

    1. ISSN 0006-2510
      .
    2. ^ Oleksiuk, Kyle (July 1, 2020). "The Ballad of Tommy LiPuma". The New York City Jazz Record. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
    3. ISSN 0261-3077
      . Retrieved 2023-05-05.
    4. ^ a b Marble, Steve; Lewis, Randy (March 14, 2017). "Tommy LiPuma, producer who sold millions of records with Natalie Cole, Barbra Streisand and Paul McCartney, dies at 80". Los Angeles Times.
    5. All Media Network
      . Retrieved March 15, 2017.
    6. ^ Blue Thumb Records discography at Discogs
    7. ISSN 0006-2510
      .
    8. ^ "Grammy-Winning Jazz Producer Tommy LiPuma Dies at 80". The New York Times. Associated Press. March 15, 2017.
    9. ^ Teachout, Terry (January 5, 2003). "Arnold Friedman, Making A Long-Overdue Splash". The Washington Post.
    10. ^ Yarborough, Chuck (March 14, 2017). "Tommy LiPuma: Cleveland-born music icon dead at 80; Tri-C arts building bears his name". The Plain Dealer.
    11. ^ "Gill and Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts". Tri-C.edu. Retrieved December 23, 2023.
    12. ^ Sisario, Ben (March 15, 2017). "Tommy LiPuma, Record Producer and Grammy Winner, Dies at 80". The New York Times.

    External links

    Business positions
    Preceded by
    –
    		 Chairman of
    Verve Music Group

    1999–2011     		Succeeded by
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