Sony Corp. & Blue Note Media Group Announces New Sponsorship Agreement

Sony Corporation and Blue Note Media Group
Announce Landmark Sponsorship

New Multi-Genre Music Venue
“Sony Hall” to Open in New York City Spring 2018
and Sponsorship of Annual Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City

NEW YORK, Jan. 25, 2018 — Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Blue Note Media Group (“Blue Note” / “BNMG”) – the sponsorship affiliate of Blue Note Entertainment Group, the organization that owns, operates, licenses, and/or programs 10 music venues worldwide including the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club – today announced a landmark strategic sponsorship agreement. As part of the sponsorship, Sony will collaborate with Blue Note to open “Sony Hall,” a new music venue in Manhattan, sponsor the annual Blue Note Jazz Festival each June in New York City, as well as other plans to be announced.

Located in the heart of New York’s Theatre District (235 W. 46th St at the Paramount Hotel, in the space previously known as Diamond Horseshoe), Sony Hall is scheduled to open in Spring 2018. Owned, operated and programmed by Blue Note, Sony Hall will present world renowned performing artists across all music genres at capacities of 1,000 standing and 500 seated, with a full-service restaurant and bar. Sony Hall will be equipped with Sony’s technologies, integrated throughout the 12,000 square-foot venue to deliver enhanced entertainment experiences to fans. Grand opening plans, headliners, and additional venue details will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to the opening of Sony Hall, Sony will sponsor the annual Blue Note Jazz Festival in New York City, scheduled for June 1-30, 2018. Established in 2011 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the iconic Blue Note Jazz Club New York, Blue Note Jazz Festival has annually grown into one of the largest music events in New York City, featuring over 100 events in 10 venues over the course of 30 days (June 1 through 30 annually). With nightly events at BNEG venues such as Blue Note Jazz Club, Highline Ballroom, BB King Blues Club, among other locations throughout the city, past festival headliners include Aretha Franklin, The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Natalie Cole, Brian Wilson, and more.

Midori Tomita, VP in charge of UX Business Development, Brand Strategy, Sony Corporation:
“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Blue Note on this new music venue set to open this spring and honored to have it be known as ‘Sony Hall.’ It will serve as a staging ground for recording content, testing new and exciting technology, promoting emerging artists, and more. We look forward to engaging with young music fans and those of all ages and continuing to deliver unique and high quality music experiences through this newest venue.”

Steven Bensusan, President, Blue Note Media Group:
“Blue Note is honored to partner with Sony on this landmark partnership. Sony is a pioneer in delivering best-in-class technology and entertainment experiences. Their innovation and brand paired with our experience operating entertainment properties around the world is a truly unique partnership that will ultimately benefit the fans. We look forward to our collaboration for Sony Hall, Blue Note Jazz Festival and other exciting plans for the future.”

Additional partnership plans between Sony and Blue Note will be announced in the coming months.

About Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, imaging, game, communications, key device and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, interactive entertainment and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $76 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017.
Sony Global Web Site: http://www.sony.net/

About Blue Note Media Group & Entertainment Group
Blue Note Media Group is the official sponsorship affiliate of Blue Note Entertainment Group. Founded in 1981 by Danny Bensusan, Blue Note Entertainment Group is a multi-faceted entertainment company that owns, operates, licenses and/or programs Blue Note Jazz Clubs worldwide, including New York, NY; Tokyo and Nagoya, Japan; Milan, Italy; Waikiki, Hawaii; Beijing, China; Napa, California; and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). The company also owns and operates B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Highline Ballroom, and Lucille’s Grill. Additionally, the company programs the Regattabar Jazz Club (Cambridge, MA) and Blue Note-branded concerts throughout Italy. Blue Note Entertainment Group presents shows outside of its club network. The annual Blue Note Jazz Festival was established in 2011 and has since grown to become the largest jazz festival in New York City each June. Subsidiaries of Blue Note Entertainment Group include the GRAMMY®-nominated record label Half Note Records, whose catalogue includes over fifty titles recorded live at New York’s Blue Note Jazz Club, as well as Blue Note Travel and Management Group.

Jordy Freed/Blue Note