Don Was to Blue Note

THIS BLUE NOTE’S FOR HIM: Musician, songwriter and Grammy-winning producer Don Was has been named Chief Creative Officer for EMI Music’s Blue Note Records by Capitol & Virgin Labels Group President Dan McCarroll and Blue Note & Manhattan President Ian Ralfini. Was, who has produced records for Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Ziggy Marley, Lucinda Williams, Al Green and BB King, will work closely with EMI Music’s frontline A&R team to identify and develop creative talent for the legendary imprint, as well as produce a number of records by Blue Note artists. Was’ resume includes producing hit albums including Bonnie Raitt’s Nick of Time, the Rolling Stones’ Voodoo Lounge and the B-52’s Cosmic Thing. He was named Producer of the Year at the Grammy Awards in 1994. Was has also been a recording star in his own right, as a founding member of Was (Not Was) with David Was. The producer is currently in the studio with John Mayer, working on the singer-songwriter’s fifth studio album. (8/9a)