BMG has expanded its long-standing relationship with electronic music icon Jean-Michel Jarre.
The partnership will now include licensing of his recorded catalogue and future works.
The new agreement brings Jarre’s recorded catalogue under BMG on an exclusive licensing basis across a broad range of territories worldwide. The company already represented the sound recordings of his first three albums.
In 2022, BMG acquired his music publishing catalogue, including seminal works such as Oxygene and Équinoxe, alongside his writer’s income stream, in what remains the company’s largest single deal struck in France.
“This expanded partnership reflects a shared commitment to the long-term development, protection and celebration of one of the most influential catalogues in electronic music, as well as continued collaboration on new creative work,” said a BMG statement.
Jean-Michel Jarre said: “My relationship with BMG goes back many years, and I am very happy that today we are bringing our work even closer together. As the only major international music company with European roots, BMG has a cultural identity that is deeply important to me. This is an especially exciting moment for creators, as technology opens up new possibilities for imagination and expression. I am proud to deepen our friendship and partnership as we embark on the future together.”
Alistair Norbury, senior creative advisor to the CEO, added: “Jean-Michel Jarre has influenced generations of electronic artists and continues to shape the culture today. Expanding our relationship across his recorded catalog gives us an even greater opportunity to support and celebrate his extraordinary body of work, while bringing the full strength of BMG to its long-term stewardship and global reach.”
Jean-Michel Jarre has influenced generations of electronic artists and continues to shape the culture today
Alistair Norbury
Over a career spanning five decades, Jean-Michel Jarre has released 22 studio albums.
“His groundbreaking work has influenced generations of artists and creators and helped bring electronic music into the cultural mainstream,” said BMG. “His continued exploration of the intersection between music and technology remains central to his artistic identity and influence.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Oxygene album. Further details of how BMG plans to mark the anniversary will be shared soon.
Following a summer of pan-European concerts that included his bespoke performance at Amnesia Ibiza as part of the venue’s 50th anniversary, Jarre will appear as special guest of honor at the 30th anniversary of Amsterdam Dance Event in October. He will present the sold-out opening concert, Oxygene & Beyond: A Sonic Journey Celebrating 30 Years of ADE, alongside various keynote interviews and panel discussions throughout the week.
A coffee-table book, Machines by Jean-Michel Jarre: A History of Electronic Music (Thames & Hudson), will also launch this October. Written by Jean-Michel Jarre and curated by Sonny Marr and Alistair Norbury, the book explores Jean-Michel Jarre’s private collection of synthesizers and studio equipment together with the evolution of electronic sound, featuring contributions from key figures across the electronic music scene.
PHOTO: (L-R): Thomas Coesfeld (chairman, BMG), Jean-Michel Jarre, Bob Valentine (CEO, BMG) and Alistair Norbury (senior creative advisor to the CEO, BMG) (credit: Philipp Gladsome)
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