French agent Georgiadis responds to Peter Noble’s claims

Yesterday, Peter Noble wrote an open letter to media, regarding the cancellation of artist Ernest Ranglin, who was slated to participate in the Jamaican Legends Tour. Noble claimed Christian Georgiadis, from French agency Bacana, “acted to manipulate and sabotage the Australian tour.”

Georgiadis contacted The Music Network and made the following statement. Below is his entire, unedited statement.

Having “manipulated” Mr Ranglin is a wrong and misleading assumption which lacks of arguments and rather stands for a shady accusation.

 If Ernest Ranglin has decided to decline to perform Bluesfest as part of the Jamaican Legends project, then he must have had his good and own reasons. Furthermore I can assure that despite his age, Mr Ranglin is in excellent mental shape. Mr Ranglin is rather an experienced music professional and cannot be influenced.

 My company is working with Ernest Ranglin since several years now and on a non-exclusive base. We are working with many great artists from all around the world and we have never booked more than a handful of headline shows for Ernest Ranglin per year. We have no power nor mandate to refuse to let Ranglin work nor did we have any good reason to do so since there was no conflict of dates.

 Bacana is a serious booking agency since 15 years in the market. We have worked with festivals and venues all over the world. We are also huge fans of the Australian music scene hence we have worked and work with prestigious and reputable Australian artists. Bacana will attend for the 4th consecutive time AWME in Melbourne with the aim to encourage the exchange of both, music business and cultural dialogue between the continents.

 My company never aimed for nor dared to damage the reputation of Bluesfest. I understand the energy Bluesfest is investing in order to secure its outstanding reputation. However this should not happen, discrediting Ernest Ranglin or my agency.

 I also consider this situation an untrustworthy and unfair campaign. Its public exposure seems unfounded and to a certain extend also ridiculous.

With kind regards,

Christian Georgiadis