George Avakian

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George Avakian (born Armavir, Russia, March 15, 1919) is an Armenian-American record producer and executive known particularly for his work with Columbia Records, and his production of albums by Miles Davis and other notable jazz musicians.

Avakian was born in Armavir, Russia, to Armenian parents. His brother was the photographer and filmmaker Aram Avakian (1926-1987). He attended Yale University, and became an avid collector and fan of jazz music. While still at Yale he was responsible for the first reissues Columbia put out around 1940, discovering some unissued Louis Armstrong masters from his Hot Five and Hot Seven period in the process.

His long period at Columbia Records culminated in him becoming responsible for the Popular Music and Internationsl divisions. Avakian signed Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis to the label, amongst others. Later he fulfilled a role as producer at Warner Brothers (from 1959) and at RCA Victor. In 1962 he was responsible for organizing Benny Goodman's successful tour of the USSR.

From about 1970 to 1974, he was the manager of Keith Jarrett; before this, he had managed the Charles Lloyd Quartet of which Jarrett was a member. After this he largely retired from the record business and bred racehouses.

He is a founding officer of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In 2000, he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from Down Beat magazine.

Upon seeing the cover of seeing his album Miles Ahead, released on Columbia Records, Miles Davis is reported to have said: "Why'd you put that white bitch on there?" Miles Davis Wikiquote Page. The cover, which had been chosen by Avakian while he was working at Columbia, was subsequently changed.

Avakian is married to the violinist and Juilliard School professor Anahid Ajemian, and the two, toegther with Ajemian's pianist sister Maro Ajemian, provided much assistance to the emerging composer Alan Hovhaness in the 1940s and 1950s, contributing to his early fame through concert performances and many LP recordings.