December 6, 2006 - WASHINGTON DC--Dr. Reppard Stone will·head Genese Music and Entertainment Group's jazz label Pierre Noir.
What does Grady Tate, Donald Byrd, Benny Golson, Keter Betts, and Billy Taylor have in common? All of these jazz greats are friends and contemporaries of musiciologist Dr. Reppard Stone.
How about Geri Allen, Wallace Roney, Gary Thomas, Tim Warfield, Chris Dave, and Antonio Parker?· These are all former students of Dr. Reppard Stone while at Howard University.

After lengthy discussions Dr. Stone has decided to· use his experience to develop Pierre Noir Jazz (French for Black Stone Jazz) into a label that will have a broad appeal.

Dr. Stone states, We are now in an era that has to lend itself to a global and not just local audience. Pierre Noir will do just that. From the time of Ellington to the current stars like Will (Downing) the best jazz conveys intimate emotions.”

Jazz Arranging, Artist Development, and Education are only a few of the aspects Dr. Stone brings to Genese.

Dr. Stone adds, The key is to find out what elements of music best compliment an artist style. What helps the artist convey a specific mood to an audience. For example, some artist sound best with a big band accompanying them while others sound best if more a more studio treatment is used back by live drums and bass. Over the next year I plan to have a number of artist that will be able to perform contemporary or straight ahead jazz.”