YORKSHIRE (CelebrityAccess) — Two folk and jazz-focused boutique agencies. Adastra and Regent announced that they are merging to form a new company, Strada Music.
Led by partners Chris Wade and Phil Simpson, live agents Graham Smout, Polly Bolton, and Leila Cooper will be working a roster which will represent over 80 artists including The Unthanks, Peatbog Faeries, Colin Hay & Barbara Dickson.
“It’s a very exciting prospect,” says Phil Simpson, who founded Regent Music in 2012. “Not only have we all been friends for years but when you’re able to collaborate, pool resources and share costs we have the opportunity to make something very special indeed.”
“We are now also branching out more into the Jazz and Classical genres with recent signings including Jacqui Dankworth who will be amongst good company alongside the likes of Martin Taylor and Juan Martin who we have a long history of representation for,” Chris Wade added.
Wade founded the Adastra agency in 1987 and grew it to become a well-regarded roots, folk and world music agency, as well as developing the well-established Beverley Folk Festival.
Simpson launched Regent in 2012 and the agency merged with GPS Music in 2014, bringing a wider variety of names including Michael Chapman, Luka Bloom & Lindisfarne to the roster overseen by live agent Graham Smout.
The newly united company will operate out of Adastra's original offices in North Dalton, East Yorkshire. – Staff Writers
