Mr. Mardin became co-General Manager of EMI Music's Manhattan record label in 2001. His many accomplishments for that division included multiple Grammy Awards for Norah Jones' Come Away With Me which also earned him a Grammy for producer of the year (the second time he received this award), a Grammy in 2004 for producing Dianne Reeves' album A Little Moonlight and Grammy for Norah Jones' Feels Like Home CD. His last recording project for Manhattan Records was the Raul Midon CD, State of Mind, which he co-produced with his son, Joe.
During his incredible career, Mardin produced music for such artists as Aretha Franklin, Carly Simon, Phil Collins, Jewel, The Average White Band, The Rascals, Bette Midler, Barbra Streisand, The Bee Gees, Dusty Springfield, Chaka Khan, Donny Hathaway and countless others, as well as several jazz albums and original cast recordings for theater and film soundtrack albums.
Bruce Lundvall, President of EMI Jazz & Classics, said: “He was equally prominent as a composer and an arranger. Arif, in my opinion, was one of the greatest music men in the history of our business and the finest gentleman I've ever worked with. He inspired the entire Blue Note, Angel, Manhattan staff with his humor, his counsel and his great enthusiasm for artists and music. He honored us and his legacy will continue to inspire us in the days and years to come."
David Munns, Chairman of EMI Music North America said, “In addition to being a fine human being, Arif Mardin knew how to make magic out of music and draw out the very best from artists. He was a master of understatement. We were fortunate to have Arif work with us at EMI in the second chapter of his career."
Arif is survived by his wife Latife, son Joe and daughters Julie and Nazan. Funeral services will be held in Istanbul on Sunday and a Memorial Service is being planned for September in New York.
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