ECM Records signing digital distribution contract with edel

Hamburg – ECM Records, the jazz and classical music label which was established by Manfred Eicher in Munich in 1969, and edel AG have entered into a long-term digital distribution contract covering the entire world with the exception of Germany, France, North America and Japan. On edel’s side, the contract will initially be performed by edelNET and thereafter by group member Kontor New Media.

As a model of artistic independence, ECM has introduced a large number of important musicians to a broader public. Thus, the label has forged long-standing partnerships with Keith Jarrett, Jan Garbarek and Tomasz Stanko, among others. Leading artists in the non-jazz segment include Arvo Pärt, András Schiff and the Hilliard Ensemble. ECM was named label of the year at MIDEM 2007.

Says Michael Haentjes, CEO of edel AG: “We are very proud of being able to work with what has been one of the world’s most successful jazz labels over many decades. It is encouraging to see that more and more partners are placing confidence in our distribution and content skills in digital business.”