Starbucks to sell own jazz CD in outlets

Starbucks, the US coffee shop chain, is to sell an exclusive branded jazz CD to further the retailer’s association with music.

The CD, called Great Coffee And All That Jazz, has been put together by EMI Business Development and will be priced at &£11.95. The music is drawn from the EMI/Blue Note repertoire and includes classic and contemporary jazz artistes such as Al Green, Herbie Hancock, Cassandra Wilson and Chet Baker.

The initiative ties in with Starbucks’ sponsorship of five jazz festivals this summer, including the Starbucks Edinburgh Blues And Jazz festival and the Manchester Jazz festival.

The CD will be available at the end of August in the majority of Starbucks’ outlets. Customers who buy the disc will also be given a free magazine about the history of jazz.

The chain recently recruited Lorna Clappen as interim head of marketing. She reports to marketing director Cathy Heseltine.