Grammy-winning producer Don Was has been named the Chief Creative Officer of Blue Note Records, the long-running jazz label that has been home to Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis and Norah Jones.

Was, who began his career in the avant-funk band Was (Not Was), has been a successful producer since the Eighties. In addition to working with the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop, Bob Seger and Willie Nelson, Was produced Bonnie Raitt's 1989 album Nick of Time, which won the Grammy for Album of the Year. He became the in-house producer for American Idol earlier this year.

Photos: Random Notes

According to an inside source who spoke to the Hollywood Reporter, Was got the gig at Blue Note on the strength of his work as a producer. "They want a producer on staff and that's what Don brings, as opposed to other A&R guys who just claim they're producers."

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