George Avakian

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George Avakian (b. Armavir, Russia, March 15, 1919) was a producer and executive at Columbia Records (signing Dave Brubeck and Miles Davis to the label, amongst others), at Warner Brothers, and at RCA Victor. 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.

Avakian was born in 1919 in Armavir, Russia, to a family of Armenian ancestry. He attended Yale University, and became an avid collector and fan of jazz music. 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.

He is married to the violinist Anahid Ajemian.

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 was chosen by George Avakian while working at Columbia. The cover was changed.