Bluesfest boss Peter Noble given an additional response to the withdrawal of Jamaican reggae star Ernest Ranglin from the festival following a statement Ranglin made Noise11 on the weekend.
Bluesfest initially announced that Ranglin had pulled out of Bluesfest 2014 because of possibly a better offer. In a statement to Noise11.com, Mr Ranglin said he was never asked to be on the festival.
Peter Noble rang Noise11 to give additional information about the situation and has now supplied the following letter explaining the events.
In his statement, Mr Noble explains:
Bluesfest Touring has received a number of documents recently – clearly outlining what has occurred in Ernest Ranglin’s cancellation in his participation in the Jamaican Legends Tour scheduled to play Bluesfest and tour next Easter.
We have accepted the documents under confidentiality from the sources – however – we firmly believe that a small leak of certain key details and dates will lead ANY fair person to see that:
1 Ernest Ranglin fully knew and approved for his manager and agent to proceed with the Australian tour as part of the Jamaican Legends – as per emails from them to him – as well as responses from Mr Ranglin and his wife.
2 Ernest Ranglin met with his manager(agent) in Barcelona some months ago – and approved his manager proceeding to move forward with the Australian tour confirmation – a confirmation Bluesfest received in writing in an email on Thursday August 29th at 6.11pm from the manager (agent)of Ernest Ranglin, Mark van den Bergh from Amsterdam in the Netherlands. This followed an email dated the 18th August from Eric Addeo – from AMI Agency in New York, USA (from whom Bluesfest bought the Ernest Ranglin and Monty Alexander Australian Tour in 2006,known as Rocksteady) – also confirming the tour.
3 On Thursday Aug 29th, at 6.48pm, we received another email listing the tour personnel. The personnel named Sly Dunbar, Robbie Shakespeare, Bitty McLean, Alex Wilson – AND Ernest Ranglin.
4 As a result of the above – Bluesfest announced the Jamaican legends on September 24 last – having received emails from both the manager and agent with a confirmation.
5 In contract law – this is called offer and acceptance – and is binding – subject to a contract being finally issued and fully executed – which both parties would expect to occur in the coming weeks.
To state that as a result of an artiste looking at the terms and conditions of the agreement BEFORE there is any type of binding agreement is not only against the industry norm – it has been used as an excuse many times by an artist in the past not to perform – and when tested in courts – has not prevailed – it is simply not an excuse for one not to perform his duties.
An agent or manager usually confirms a performance – after having received the artist’s agreement for them to do so. THIS is what occurred in this case.
6 Bluesfest is in possession of emails From Ernest Ranglin through his wife Joan dating from before the time of the managers having the agent confirm the tour – as well as doing so himself – giving him permission to go ahead with the tour.
7 Bluesfest has also received an email dated October 7 from the Ranglins describing Mr van den Bergh as ‘MY AGENT’. Mr van den Bergh has been listed until recently on Ernest Ranglin’s website as his manager. It has been advised to us that Mark van den Bergh has acted in these capacities for many years.
8 It is clear that from the email chain that Ranglin’s statement that he was not aware of Australian bookings is a complete distortion of the truth. The emails exist – and Mr Ranglin knew about them – and gave his blessing. His wife Joan wrote the emails. I have seen them and have them in my possession. I have agreed to keep them confidential at this time.
9 This is when the agent Christian Georgiadis, from the French agency Bacana from Montferrier-sur-lez in South West France, comes in to the picture. Mr Georgiadis asked Peter Noble’s office if he would meet with him at the International Live Music Conference (ILMC) in London in March 2013 – and Mr Noble the MD of Bluesfest met with him on Friday March 9th at 2pm at The Royal Gardens Hotel in Kensington , the site of the conference – and was pitched a number of the agency’s artists by Mr Georgiadis.
Mr Noble signalled an interest in the Jamaican Legends and Mr Georgiadis followed up with an email on March 12th 2013. He subsequently advised that Monty Alexander – the great Jamaican piano player – who he pitched initially as part of the Jamaican Legends, would no longer be a part of the Jamaican Legends Tour.
At this time, feeling uneasy, Peter Noble checked in with the agent who originally sold Ernest Ranglin (and Monty Alexander) tour dates to him for his first Australian tour (with Bluesfest plays) – Eric Addeo at AMI Agency, New York – to see whether he still represented Ernest Ranglin – and was advised ‘yes’.
10 We are now advised that Mr Georgiadis from Bacana has not procured any dates at all for Ernest Ranglin in 2013 – according to an email sighted by Mr Noble sent to him from his manager (as we see it), Mark van den Bergh.
AND now from an email just in from Mr Georgiadis from Bacana dated October 12th 2013 – where Mr Georgiadis states there are no other dates confirmed or pencilled in at the time of Bluesfest or the tour dates around it.
SO Ernest Ranglin has not accepted a better offer – He has NOTHING on offer from Georgiadis currently.
So – what do we get out of this?
The Jamaican Legends STILL want to tour – fact
Ernest Ranglin has advised he no longer is a part of the group – fact
Ernest Ranglin has no other work on offer at that time– fact
Ernest Ranglin is 81 years old – fact
Ernest Ranglin is a great musician – fact
Ernest Ranglin – has been treated in a duplicitous manner seemingly by the agent who is yet to get him work for a number of years – but won’t let him work for anyone else– probable fact.
It should not be too hard to see that Mr Georgiadis has acted to manipulate and sabotage the Australian Tour of the Jamaican Legends member Ernest Ranglin EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE INVOLVED offered him 50% of the agency commission for the tour– and now with all these facts in hand – all we CAN say is that Mr Ranglin knew about the tour – gave permission for other people he described as ‘MY AGENT’ to proceed with it – and Mr Georgiadis from the French agency has blocked it for purposes which should best be described as unethical and self serving.
All we can say is:
Do the right thing Georgiadis –
Stop manipulating an 81 year old man
Stop preventing him from workingOur industry should condemn this kind of manipulation of an artist.
Meanwhile, Bluesfest and Peter Noble will continue to attempt to find a suitable replacement for Ernest Ranglin so Sly Dunbar & Robbie Shakespeare and Bitty Mclean will also not be out of pocket next Easter.
As we said before – WATCH this space !!
Bluesfest 2014 will feature John Mayer, The Doobie Brothers, Boz Scaggs, Russell Morris, Dr John, India.Arie, the Dave Matthews Band, Gary Clark Jr and more.
Bluesfest will be held at Byron Bay, New South Wales from April 17 to 21, 2014.
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