Darren Ressler

Famed NYC Dance Music Manager Gary Salzman Has Died of COVID-19

April 1, 2020Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

Gary Salzman (pictured), a co-founder of New York City-based BIG Management, has passed away, according to reports on social media. It is believed that Salzman succumbed to the fast-spreading coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that has killed at least 42,081 people around the world as of today.

Salzman co-launched BIG in the late ’80s with Joe Koppie. His company managed top DJ/producers such as Todd Terry, Tony Humphries, David Guetta, Ray Roc, Chris Willis, Jason Nevins and Tony Moran.

BIG evolved into a full-service music marketing company and management consulting firm.

Salzman is being remembered fondly on social media by artists and fellow music business colleagues from all over the world.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as we learn more.

I’m trying to stay positive during this time but everyday hearing another death and passing over this coronavirus is really taking its toll. RIP Gary Salzman. I had the pleasure of working on many projects together during my career. This one hurts 😢

— djriddler (@djriddler) April 1, 2020

I love you @salzman_gary You were more than a manager, u were a mentor, a true friend, someone who told it like it is. U believed in me & pushed me even when I didn’t believe in myself. I am going to miss the heck out of you & your loud GOOD MORNING JENNIFER phone calls 💔

— Jennifer Rene (@JenReneMusic) April 1, 2020

Oh no not Gary Salzman. The man always made me laugh, even while extracting large sums of my employers’ cash for his clients. The dance music business would not be what it it is today without his contributions. A true character. Much Love to his friends and family.

— neil harris (@punkdafunk) April 1, 2020

Rip Gary Salzman, music manager from New York @bigmgmt , past away because of Corona https://t.co/Vk0rGvBZqN

I worked with Gary with a few projects, he was always passionate about his projects and he was always fighting for his clients. May he rest In Peace!

— Sebastien Lintz (@SebastienLintz) April 1, 2020

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Premiere: Sébastopol – Plowshare

March 25, 2020Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

Attracted to dance music at a young age like a moth to a flame, French DJ/producer Sebastien Bouchet has developed an impressive discography of minimal techno and deep house jams released on labels like Kompakt, Hippie Dance, Correspondant and My Favorite Robot.

On March 27, Bouchet returns to hafendisko with a two-track release via his Sébastopol alias, a nom de plume that allows him to travel down less-traveled musical roads.

We’re thrilled to world premiere the title track “Plowshare.” It’s a propulsive, heaven-sent synth romp packing pulsating bass, dynamic melodies and a sexy groove that would make Giorgio Moroder feel love.

Says Sebastien about the new release, “You can say that ‘Walk Of Life’ by Dire Straits inspired me to compose ‘Plowshare’ and that ‘Quarterback’ is my melancholic vision of techno music.”

Hit the play button below and enjoy.

No paywalls, free to all. Help us remain 100% independent and unbiased. Please give to Big Shot by making a secure one-time donation to help us continue covering DJ culture and electronic music like we’ve done since 2003.

Premiere: Bizz O.D. & Jimi Tenor – “Stop & Goodbye”

March 23, 2020Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

In 1992 Bizz O.D. and Jimi Tenor moved to New York City to launch Public Extacy. While the band never took flight, the pair did record the three-track Traffic EP released on OZON Records, an imprint helmed by notable German producers Biochip C. and Jammin’ Unit.

The lost 1995 release has been thankfully dusted off and remastered. It’s set to be released on March 27 via Khan (Of Findland)’s Temple Traxx. (The reissue includes an unreleased bonus track titled “Girls.”)

We’re pleased to world premiere the remastered version of “Stop & GoodBye,” an acid-house stomp fest full of stuttering vocal snippets and squelchy electro basslines. Hearing all those gorgeous blips and bleeps make us nostalgic for happier days gone by.

Hit the play button below and enjoy.

DJ/Writer/Dance Music Champion Jonty Skrufff Has Died

March 18, 2020Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

We’re gutted to report that Jonty Skrufff, a DJ, writer and dance music industry titan, has died.

The news of his passing on March 6 at Charité hospital in Berlin was posted on Facebook by his wife, Fidelity Kastrow.

According to the post, “Jonty had been battling cancer but kept his diagnosis confidential until days before his death, so nobody would treat him differently and to be able to continue to live the life he so loved.”

She added, “Jonty loved DJing, bringing joy to others, making and sharing music, reading, writing, spreading knowledge, sharing ideas, initiating change and trends, counterculture, clubbing, connecting (with) people, dressing up, autonomy, integrity, supporting & inspiring others, traveling, cycling, going to the gym, chilling on his chaise longue, cooking, great food and living as an original punk.”

I had the pleasure of communicating with Jonty countless times over the year. I interviewed him a few times, and on several occasions, he interviewed me for a story in his newsletter.

In 2013, Jonty recorded a Big Shot Guest Mix. Here’s what I wrote about him:

We profiled UK scribe/electro DJ Jonty Skrufff in the print edition of Big Shot ages ago, and he’s continued to do good things. Jonty’s popular e-zine digs for stories where most journos fear to tread, and his mixing career has won him fans in all corners of the world. After returning home to the UK after a DJ gig last week in Berlin, he whipped up the latest installment of the star-studded Big Shot Guest Mix series, which has presented flawless mix sessions from Ben Watt, Junior Sanchez, Trouble & Bass and The Presets, among others. On this rockin’ 60-minute journey, Jonty includes many of his current favorites, as well as a tune from Fidelity Kastrow (she spins at Tresor and is a resident at Torture Garden), a song he co-produced with Mark Reeder.

There’s been an outpouring of condolences on social media from DJs, producers and industry execs. Below are just a few.

Rest in peace, Jonty.

RIP Jonty Lee / Jonty SkruFFF. He was one of the first friends I had when I first moved to Berlin after years of contact through his zine. The term a gentleman & scholar is used liberally but in his case it was absolutely true. He did his best to push music and people forward.1/2

— Patrick DSP (@PatrickDSP) March 17, 2020

Completely blindsided by the passing of @DJJontySkrufff. As the local @PioneerDJglobal rep, he was the one who got me up to speed on CDJs. "We've got to get you off Traktor, mate." Hahaha. Love and condolences to his wife @FidelityKastrow, and his many friends and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/OD9F68qkmd

— alan_oldham (@alan_oldham) March 18, 2020

Jonty Skrufff in my studio the first time I lived in Berlin around 2005. See you on the other side someday! pic.twitter.com/LJC82AN1f6

— Oliver Chesler (@thingstocome) March 17, 2020

https://twitter.com/NourRidaoui/status/1240241879951773701