Jason Murray named President of Vector Management, as firm merges with Black Box Music – Music Business Worldwide

Artist management company Vector Management has merged with Canadian independent record label and artist management company, Black Box Music.

The latter company’s co-founder and CEO, Jason Murray has been appointed President of Vector.

Black Box Music was founded in 2004 by Murray and Ian Stanger. It expanded from being an independent record label to a multi-genre music company with artist management and publishing services.

The company, based out of Toronto and Los Angeles, has direct global distribution partnerships with Apple, Spotify, Google and Amazon, and with physical distribution in Canada handled by Fontana North.

Its roster includes rock band The Glorious Sons, JUNO Award winner JJ Wilde,  Justin Nozuka, Kennen, The OBGMS, SonReal, Willa, Young Clancy, and multi-platinum singer-songwriter and producer Blanco Brown.

Vector did not disclose the financial terms of its merger with Black Box Music. Its founders Ken Levitan and Jack Rovner confirmed the appointment of Murray as president of Vector.

In his new role, Murray will oversee operations and new business.

Now with Vector, Murray helped sign country-blues singer-songwriter and guitarist Charley Crockett alongside Levitan.

Crockett’s latest album, The Man From Waco, ranked No.2 on Rolling Stone’s Best Country and Americana Albums of 2022. The artist has over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify.

“I believe today, more so than ever before, artists need a management partner that fully understands all aspects of the music business.”

Jason Murray

“I believe today, more so than ever before, artists need a management partner that fully understands all aspects of the music business. Vector has been that company for decades, and we will continue to build on that ethos as we look forward,” Murray said.

Murray’s appointment at Vector comes as the company prepares for a number of notable releases this year including a Rick Rubin-produced album from Kesha and new music and accompanying summer tour from Manchester Orchestra.

Vector is also preparing a new season of The Impractical Jokers’ hit television show as well as a nationwide arena tour in February, while Hank Williams Jr. will be going on tour.

Another Vector-signed artist, bluegrass musician Molly Tuttle, has been nominated for the Best New Artist award at the upcoming Grammy Awards.

“We’re thrilled to bring Jason into the Vector team,” says Levitan.

“His years of expertise and deep knowledge of this industry are excellent, and we can’t wait for the road ahead together.” 

Vector co-founder Jack Rovner added: “We look forward to welcoming Jason to our great team here at Vector. His knowledge and leadership serve to further strengthen our management team and we couldn’t be happier to have him as part of the next chapter of Vector.”

Founded in Nashville, Vector now has offices in New York, Los Angeles and Toronto. The company offers , branding, re-branding, technology, fashion, film, TV and product development. The firm is affiliated with Live Nation.

Its co-founder, Jack Rovner, established the company after working at Columbia Records, Arista, BMG and RCA. At Columbia, Rovner became the head of marketing, working with Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones and Wynton Marsalis.

Speaking with MBW in 2018, Rovner said his time in Columbia “was just an incredible experience.”

Rovner is also known for managing artists like Bon Jovi and Kesha.

His partner, Levitan, has also spent decades in the music industry. Trained as a lawyer, Levitan helped manage the careers of artists ranging from Emmylou Harris to Kings of Leon; Kid Rock to Richard Thompson.

In a 2018 interview with MBW, Levitan said: “When you go for something, go after it and don’t let anything stand in the way. That’s kind of the way we run our company and the way you have to be as a manager: if you want something for your client, you have to be really bullish on it.”

Music Business Worldwide