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He has left us in body but his legacy and extraordinary influence on the music industry will remain forever.
....... Herbie Hancock

Bruce Lundvall was one of the most important and influential figures in the record business throughout his 55 year career. Starting as a management trainee at Columbia Records in 1960, he rose to become head of the label and then President of CBS Records. His basic philosophy was passed on to him by his great friend and legendary A&R man John Hammond: "If you get the art right, the commerce will follow". Bruce always put the artists and the music first, and was beloved by them in return.

Bruce's career "second act" was to revive legendary Blue Note Records as president of the label known for "The finest in Jazz since 1939." In 1985 he produced an incredible night of music called: "One Night with Blue Note" at NYC's Town Hall to celebrate the return of the once great label. Over the next 30 years, he built it back to its earlier stature and beyond signing artists such as Dianne Reeves, Cassandra Wilson, Joe Lovano, Stanley Jordan, Greg Osby, John Scofield, Jackie Terrason, Norah Jones and bringing back earlier Blue Note artists such as Freddie Hubbard, McCoy Tyner, Jimmy Smith and Joe Henderson.

Over the course of his entire career, Bruce also signed or developed myriad artists including Willie Nelson, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, James Taylor, Phoebe Snow, Wynton Marsalis, Richard Marx, Ruben Blades, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Bobby McFerrin, and Tony Bennett to name a few. His lasting legacy to all those who had the pleasure to know him was his unfailingly positive attitude, a unique and powerful sense of humor, and an ever-present joie de vivre. No matter the circumstances, Bruce always had an encouraging word for artists, friends, colleagues and family. He will be missed deeply, but his influence and inspiration will be a lasting contribution to the music, the musicians and the many people he came to know.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Kay; three sons, Eric and his wife Johanna, Tor, and Kurt and his wife Blythe; a brother, Stephen; a sister, Susan Brodie; and two granddaughters, Rayna and Kerstin.