MP3 Music Awards Judges




	MMA - Panel of Judges

Ellis Rich - PRS Chairman, The International Music Network Ltd and also a judge for the MP3 Music Awards, Ellis Rich is a classical and jazz pianist spending many years with his band playing gigs at various functions and venues. Starting in music publishing in 1963 in Feldman’s post room, he advanced to the professional department where he arranged for sheet music. Among his achievements was transcribing Brian May’s guitar solos on Queen’s hits. He also had his hand-written orchestrations printed. Progressing to the international division, he became International Manager. The company was later acquired by EMI Music. In 1981, Ellis left EMI and took Simon with him and became E & S Music and had considerable chart success. In 1986, after involvement in discovering Mel and Kim, Ellis was invited to establish Supreme Songs, the publishing arm of Supreme Records. In 1989, Ellis created Independent Music Group, a worldwide music publishing consortium. The group controls many copyrights including the Supreme, R & E, Beat That and JSE Music catalogues. Ellis maintains that "without the song there is nothing" and greatly admires the creative endeavours of writers – "Their songs are their babies and must be treated with the greatest respect". Ellis considers it vital for independents to be well represented at PRS and has been pleased to have done so for the past ten years, six of which as Deputy Chairman (Publisher).

Imaani has performed worldwide on television, in the studio, and live - with such luminaries as Jocelyn Brown, Gloria Gaynor, Incognito, Betty Wright, Mica Paris, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Carleen Anderson and Leon Ware, to name but a few. Her emotive lead vocal contributions can be heard on the Urban Species Blanket album, Incognito's 'Eleven', 'Beneath The Surface' and 'Adventures in Black Sunshine' albums, as well as many other collaborative projects from The Soca Soul Orchestra to The Super-Phonics. As the UKs entry to the 1998 Eurovision Song Contest with 'Where are you' she performed in front of a live audience of 15,000 and a worldwide TV audience of a staggering 100 million people. The success of this performance resulted in a top 15 position in the UK chart and a celebrated number 1 position in several European countries. This led to numerous TV appearances both here and abroad. The follow-up single 'You Got a Way' had equal success charting in the top ten of countries as far and wide as Estonia and Aruba. Imaani then joined forces with Garage outfit Dub Conspiracy & Tru Faith and together they smashed the UK charts with their single 'Freak Like Me', which went straight in at Number 12 becoming a dance favourite that still graces the club scenes and radio waves. Her recent lead vocal contributions for production unit Copyright and the award winning Defected label resulted in funky house tracks 'Running Away' and 'Time' which became hits in the UK and overseas.

Julian Standen an American living in London, owns The Library Studio. He produced The Lemonheads radio hit

“Miss Robinson” The Soup Dragons first album and engineered Siouxsie & the Banshees alternative hit Cities in Dust and assisted the Smiths first album as well as helping UK bands getrecord deals. Jules has produced many Xfm favourites, including Crackout and Llama Farmers. He also specialises in discovering and recording new acts.

Helen Gammons work has over a period of 15 years covered the fields of company development, international licensing, artist development, publishing, film music supervision and synchronisation, contract negotiation and drafting. Her experience embraces senior directorships of major international music companies; such as the Avex Group, where she was both an original shareholder and director. Helen established their Publishing division Prime Direction which became one of the top 3 publishers in Japan.

Helen is currently Chief Executive Officer of the Planet Audio Group whose activities include music publishing etc; and she also acts as Consultant to Platinum Sound Publishing which has a world wide administration deal through Peer Music. The company’s USP is to offer cutting edge music across a variety of genres to film, TV and music industry. With over 100 titles placed in the last 18 months of operation, and new relationships now in place in the UK and USA, the development of its synchronisation features, via its ‘Song Search’ database is bringing wide benefits to all.




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