Nu Jazz Entertainment Releases First Jazz LP on iTunes

Nu Jazz Entertainment--a long time producer of high quality audio and video content in the genre of jazz--announced the January 2011 release of the critically acclaimed album,  Ellis Marsalis: An Open Letter To Thelonious, from the NEA 2011 Jazz Master , as the first traditional Jazz release in the new iTunes "LP" format on iTunes, with bonus audio, bonus high-definition videos, bonus photos, bonus liner notes and bonus literary content.

About the iTunes "LP" Format
The iTunes "LP" format was launched in September 2009, and to date has released approximately 30 albums from pop stars and major labels. An Open Letter To Thelonious marks the formats first foray into traditional jazz content, with materials produced exclusively for the new format. "The new iTunes "LP" format was the ideal vehicle for releasing this project" says label president,
Jerald Miller. "In association with Elm Records, we were able to go in and create some extremely unique material which not only gives great insight into the first family of musicians to be named "Jazz Masters" by the National Endowment of the Arts, but creates an exciting interactive program that every music lover can truly enjoy."

The iTunes "LP" Ellis Marsalis: An OpenLetter To Thelonious (Platinum Edition) retails for $15.98 and features the (11) eleven original tracks on the album, (3) bonusaudio tracks, and (4) bonus high-definition video tracks, bonus photographsfrom the Milton J. Hinton Photographic Collection^TM and the Marsalis Family Archives^TM, bonus liner notes, and bonus literary content from the award-winning book Thelonious Monk: The Life and Times of An American Original by Robin D.G. Kelley.
Included as the bonus video tracks are: MarsalisFamily: First Family of Jazz ( a discussion by Ellis of how his family got their start playing music); Musings On Monk: The Inspiration Behind An Open Letter To Thelonious (A discussion by Jason Marsalis & Ellis Marsalis of what lead them to pursue the current project); and Ellis Marsalis: My Life In My Words (a video autobiography of Ellis' life in jazz). Interlaced in the videos are intimate family photographs of the Marsalis‘ throughout the years - Ellis as a young musician and educator, Branford Marsalis & Wynton Marsalis -- from toddlers through high school, Delfeayo Marsalis on stage, and Jason perfecting his skills as an up & coming drummer.

The creation, production and computer programming involved in the entire project was undertaken and completed by CYBER-NY (www.cyber-ny.com), based in the heart of midtown, Manhattan. "For quite sometime we've specialized in developing multi-media and interactive  content that meets the physical requirements and is sensitive to the financial constraints of the smaller music genres.", said Mike Brown, President of CYBER-NY. "With this in mind we've created very specific affordably priced packages, for those labels that want to make the foray into the new opportunities that such formats asiTunes LP present. Whether it's Classical, Jazz, World Music, or any other niche genre we can provide a specific package or customized options to make it feasible to join the ‘digital revolution'. This project allowed us to showcase some of the things that could be done."
The interactive experience brought to you through the new "LP" format offers a different approach to enjoying the music. You can watch as a master educator shares his insights, read the liner notes or hear them read by the author, view the never before seen photographs, learn the etymology and history of the songs performed or enjoy the stories that giveinsight into the creation of a living legend in jazz.

About "An Open Letter To Thelonious"
Thelonious.Monk.... enigma.... An artist whose unique sense of harmonic structure and rhythm has captivated every jazz lover to date. While tribute albums to him have come and gone, very few have managed to capture the essence of his extraordinary uniqueness without attempting to replicate him.

Ellis Marsalis: An Open Letter To Thelonious (NJE #1034, #1035, #1036), the latest release from contemporary jazz piano legend, Ellis Marsalis, does just that.

In this critically acclaimed release, Ellis is supported by Derek Douget on Tenor & Soprano Saxophone, Jason Stewart on Bass, and Jason Marsalis on Drums. Originally released in the physical format in 2008, this album is available for the first time as a digital download on iTunes in the exclusive new "LP" format. With such Monk classics as Crepuscule withNellie; Jackie-ing; Epistrophy; Monks' Mood; Straight, No Chaser; Light Blue; Teo; Ruby, My Dear; Rhythm-a-ning; Round Midnight, and Evidence there's something for jazz aficionado and music lover alike..