Darrale Jones to Def Jam

KEEPING UP WITH JONES: In news that likely has more to do with filling the hole left by the move west of former Def Jam Recordings chief Joie Manda than it does to the Peter Thea situation (apart from its timing), Darrale Jones has been named EVP A&R for Def Jam by UMG East Coast Label Group topper Barry Weiss and IDJ EVP/Head of A&R Karen Kwak. The New York-based veteran will report directly to Kwak and work closely alongside Weiss and IDJ President/COO Steve Bartels. In her quote, Kwak noted Jones’ "wealth of experience in A&R” as well as his “knowledge and passion for music and…impressive track record of finding the hits." He was VP A&R for Atlantic. Jones previously worked at Arista, RCA, Columbia and DreamWorks. (7/1a)