Tribute to Tom Evered

We are beyond saddened by the heartbreaking loss of industry veteran Tom Evered. I still cannot believe this is true. Tom, who was GM & SVP at Blue Note Records, was a dear friend and an invaluable mentor. He provided guidance and support that I will always treasure.

I first met Tom at Blue Note NYC around 2010, shortly after he had left Blue Note Records. I was performing with my group, and Tom was really into it. We talked a lot, and he invited me to his townhouse in Harlem. His home was filled with the famous Blue Note recordings he had worked on, and he shared incredible stories from the golden age of jazz, many of which involved his work with Bruce Lundvall. We clicked immediately and became fast friends.

Tom was such a smart, sweet, and deep person—an elegant gentleman and a heavyweight in the music industry. I remember when I asked Tom to join my label; I was so embarrassed, but he just replied, “Sure, I’d love to.” Tom was so laid-back and far too kind for this planet. That just knocked me out. This was a big deal for me. I loved his dark humor. We could talk for hours about movies, music, and everything in between. I’d call him and ask, “Tom, are you going to watch the Grammys tonight?” He’d reply, “Sure thing, I’ll dance all night,” knowing full well he wasn’t going to watch. He wasn’t happy with the direction the music industry had taken. His musical ears were like no other.

 

Tom Evered’s departure leaves a huge, empty hole on this planet and in our hearts. We miss you dearly, Tom. XOX, W.

 

 

 

 

Frame Up Music is an independent music label and was founded in 2008 by jazz guitarist, composer Wolfgang Schalk and co-founded by Natalie Farsi, a seasoned media executive with more than a decade of experience working with leading media companies, including Universal Music, MTV Networks, CBS and Warner Music Group. Farsi most recently served as the Head of Mobile for Warner Bros.Digital Distribution and WBTV Group. Frame Up is proud to have music industry veteran Tom Evered on the board as an advisor. Evered was most recently a Vice President of Blue Note Records and GM & SVP at EMI Jazz and Classics at EMI Music.

Wolfgang Schalk is an internationally acclaimed artist. His work received prominent recognition in the US and Europe from journalists, musical peers and fans alike. He has recorded nine albums as a leader with all original music and has worked with an impressive lineup of notable musicians, including 15-time Grammy award-winning Michael Brecker. Recalling the sounds of esteemed fret-board masters Wes Montgomery, Pat Metheny and George Benson, Schalk expands on the tradition as one of today's authentic jazz guitarists. In 2005 Wolfgang Schalk signed a recording deal with Universal Music and in 2008 founded his own record label Frame Up Music which was primarily launched as an outlet for producing music on his own terms.