VideoArts Music

VideoArts Music K.K. (ビデオアーツ・ミュージック株式会社, Bideoātsu Myūjikku kabushiki kaisha; English: VideoArts Music Inc.), commonly abbreviated as VACK, is a Japanese record label and video production company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. Founded in 1984 as VideoArts Japan, the company initially focused on producing and distributing international music-oriented video productions in the pop, rock, and jazz genres. It later expanded into audio CD distribution in the mid-1990s and has since built a catalog of over 600 video titles and more than 1,000 audio titles. The company is known for licensing and distributing works from major international labels such as A&M Records, Island Visual Arts, PolyGram Video International, and Eagle Rock Entertainment. It also produces its own video productions, which have won awards from Japanese trade magazines like Swing Journal and Adlib. VideoArts Music has worked with renowned artists including Keith Jarrett, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Pat Metheny, and Manhattan Transfer. In 2003, it acquired the DVD distribution rights to the "Ed Sullivan Shows featuring The Beatles." In addition to video and audio distribution, VideoArts Music produces contemporary jazz music, with over 100 titles released, featuring Japanese artists such as Kimiko Itoh and Naoko Terai, as well as international musicians like McCoy Tyner, Bud Shank, Eddie Henderson, Toninho Horta, Freddy Cole, Harvey Mason, and the Manhattan Jazz Quintet. The label is noted for its technical innovation, including early adoption of digital recording and HDTV format for music programming. As of the latest available information, the official website domain videoartsmusic.com appears to be for sale, suggesting the company may have ceased operations or changed its online presence. However, no definitive information about its current status is available.

VideoArts Music was founded in 1984 under the name VideoArts Japan. From its inception, the company produced and distributed international music programs on videocassette (and later DVD) in the pop, rock, and jazz genres. The catalog grew to over 600 titles, primarily consisting of productions from major labels. VideoArts Music held exclusive licenses for works from A&M Records, Island Visual Arts, PolyGram Video International, and Eagle Rock Entertainment, among others. In late 2003, the company acquired the DVD distribution rights to the "Ed Sullivan Shows featuring The Beatles." According to the company, it has released more than 40 of its own video productions, which gained recognition for their outstanding quality and won awards from trade magazines such as Swing Journal and Adlib. Artists whose videos were marketed by the company include Keith Jarrett, Dave Grusin, Lee Ritenour, Pat Metheny, and Manhattan Transfer. The label also prioritized technical excellence; for example, The Gadd Gang's live album was one of the first video productions worldwide to be digitally recorded and mixed in both sound and image. Keith Jarrett Trio's "Live at East," released in 1993, is considered one of the first feature-length music programs produced in the new HDTV format. In May 1992, VideoArts Music expanded into audio CD distribution. To date, it has released over 1,000 titles in genres such as pop, rock, folk, world music, and jazz. It initially signed licensing agreements with labels like SteepleChase, Discovery Records, and NYC Records. In 1993, a licensing agreement followed with the US label Rykodisc, which held distribution rights for productions by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, among others. In 1996, a licensing agreement was added with the French label Dreyfus Jazz, which released albums by Michel Petrucciani and Richard Galliano, among others. Furthermore, VideoArts Music produced contemporary jazz music. Over 100 titles have been released, including albums by Japanese musicians Kimiko Itoh and Naoko Terai. At the same time, the label produced many internationally known musicians, releasing albums by McCoy Tyner, Bud Shank, Eddie Henderson, Toninho Horta, Freddy Cole, Harvey Mason, and the Manhattan Jazz Quintet.

• 2003

  Acquired DVD distribution rights to 'Ed Sullivan Shows featuring The Beatles'.

• 1996

  Signed licensing agreement with French label Dreyfus Jazz.

• 1993

  Signed licensing agreement with US label Rykodisc.

• 1993

  Released Keith Jarrett Trio's 'Live at East', one of the first feature-length HDTV music programs.

• 1992

  Expanded into audio CD distribution in May.

• 1984

  Founded as VideoArts Japan.

Specialist in high-quality international music video and audio releases, with a focus on jazz, pop, and rock.

• Music video productions (VHS, DVD)

• Audio CDs

• Jazz music albums

• Pop and rock music videos

1. 1VideoArts Music official websitevideoartsmusic.com
2. 2VideoArts Music - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3VideoArts Music - Wikipedia (German)de.wikipedia.org