Ricky Schultz

A senior music industry executive with over thirty years jazz experience, Ricky Schultz is a passionate, lifelong music fan and collector, Mr. Schultz has held Vice-President positions at Warner Bros., MCA, and the Los Angeles Chapter of the Recording Academy, where he also served on the GRAMMY Jazz Screening Committee for 12 years. He is the founder and President of Zebra Records, and has produced or executive produced more than 200 albums plus live events and received two Billboard Video nominations. 

While at Warner Bros. he was instrumental in developing the careers of Pat Metheny, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Larry Carlton, Fourplay, Boney James, Joshua Redman and Loreena McKennitt. His signings of Enya and Boney James generated over $250 million in domestic sales. He was instrumental in breaking platinum artists Seal and k.d.lang. He also signed Jaco Pastorius and leading independent children’s label, Music For Little People. 

Mr. Schultz conceived and directed MCA’s re-entry into the jazz market, becoming Billboard’s # 1 Jazz label its first three years with annual sales exceeding $15 million. His signings and successes included: Michael Brecker, Larry Carlton, Keiko Matsui, George Howard, Yellowjackets and the Rippingtons. He reactivated Impulse! Records (producing 3 of their # 1 albums) and signed the GRP label for distribution creating the foundation of what would become the Verve Music Group, adding $75 million in valuation to the corporation.