SANTA MONICA, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Recording Academy) -The Recording Academy announced today that former Vice Chairman of the Board and four-time GRAMMY-winning producer Jimmy Jam was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees, jazz critic Neil Tesser was elected Vice Chairman, and music publisher Richard Perna was re-elected Secretary/Treasurer at its annual spring Trustees Meeting. Outgoing Chairman of the Board Terry Lickona will become Chair Emeritus. Additionally, The Academy's Trustees voted to expand the Latin music GRAMMY Award field, and establish a new category in the field of Folk music. This brings the total number of GRAMMY categories that will be recognized in February 2008 to 110.
"During our spring Trustees meeting, elected leaders from all of our 12 Chapters - all music makers and industry experts in their own fields - convene to discuss the business and direction of our Academy and the ongoing vital role we continue to play as the voice of 18,000 music makers," said Neil Portnow, President of The Recording Academy. "Through the election of our new National Officers and the focus of the week's discussions, The Academy's Board of Trustees continues to demonstrate its passionate commitment to keeping The Recording Academy a relevant and responsive organization in our dynamic music community. We are thrilled with the diversity and the depth of music industry experience we were able to tap in electing our new slate of National Officers, and I look forward to working closely with this talented new team and our national staff."
National Officers
Jimmy Jam, elected Chairman, is a four-time GRAMMY winner and comprises half of one of the most successful writing/producing teams in modern music history. In the past 25 years, along with his partner Terry Lewis, Jam has written and/or produced more than 50 Billboard No. 1 songs on the pop, R&B and dance charts for diverse artists including Yolanda Adams, Mary J. Blige, Boyz II Men, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, Robert Palmer, Rod Stewart, Sting, and Usher.
"As The Recording Academy celebrates its influential 50-year history, I am proud to serve as Chairman of the Board of Trustees," said Jam. "This is a historic time in our rich cultural legacy, and I am looking forward to helping lay the foundation for the next 50 years by continuing to collaborate with our President, national staff, Trustees, local Chapters and our 18,000 members. We have many new opportunities to explore to enhance the GRAMMY brand while continuing to focus on our mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture."
Newly elected Vice Chairman Neil Tesser, author of The Playboy Guide To Jazz, currently co-chairs The Academy Board's Planning & Governance Committee and serves on the Awards & Nominations Committee. He formerly served as President and Trustee of the Chicago Chapter of The Recording Academy. Tesser has broadcast and written about jazz in Chicago for the past 35 years and currently co-hosts the syndicated jazz review and discussion program "Listen Here!" He has authored more than 200 sets of album notes - one of which received a GRAMMY nomination, and two of which won an ASCAP Deems Taylor Award.
Re-elected Secretary/Treasurer Richard Perna is Co-CEO of Evergreen Copyright Acquisitions and served as a Trustee for the Texas Chapter from 2000 – 2004. Perna, who has been a member of The Academy's Finance Committee, was President and Chief Operating Officer of Hammerstein Music Group Inc., a company that evolved into one of the most successful independent music publishing companies in North America.
"Austin City Limits" producer and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees Terry Lickona will serve as Chairman Emeritus.
Awards
Due to the increasing growth of the Latin genre, The Academy has split the Best Latin Rock, Alternative Or Urban Album into two categories - Best Latin Urban Album and Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album. In the Folk Field, the new Best Zydeco Or Cajun Music Album category has been added to embrace this evolving genre. This brings the total number of GRAMMY categories to 110.
The Trustees of The Recording Academy, along with Academy senior staff, Chapter Regional Directors, Executive Directors, and Chapter Presidents, met May 21 – 25 at the semiannual series of meetings with agendas designed to strategically chart the course of The Academy and its affiliate corporations.
