Universal Music Expands Deutsche Grammophon and Blue Note Into China, Reveals Initial Signings and Releases

Universal Music Group’s aggressive China expansion isn’t slowing down, as the major has officially brought Deutsche Grammophon and Blue Note to the nation of 1.4 billion.

Universal Music Greater China today announced (and hosted a launch event for) Deutsche Grammophon China (DGC) as well as Blue Note Records China (BNRC). Both imprints will zero in “on identifying and supporting rising Chinese talent,” including by helping their releases find fans on the global stage.

More immediately, the classical-focused DGC has tapped pianists Lang Lang and Yuja Wang, besides Shanghai Symphony Orchestra music director Long Yu, to serve as “artistic advisors.” All three of those professionals are “long-time” Deutsche Grammophon artists, Universal Music pointed out.

On the release front, Deutsche Grammophon China has teed up its first album, Jian Wang’s Bach: The Cello Suites, to debut on May 23rd. Longer term, DGC has scored “a special project with the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra,” which will commemorate its 150th anniversary in 2029 by recording “the complete Shostakovich Symphonies.”

“The Yellow Label has been my recording home for well over a decade,” added Yuja Wang, “and I am delighted to see it engage with young artists in my home country. I am thrilled to support this initiative as Artistic Advisor and to help identify and grow future talent across the full spectrum of classical music.”

Shifting to Blue Note Records China, the label underscored an objective of “helping bring Chinese jazz expression to broader international audiences.” Regarding the nature of that jazz expression – or at least BNRC’s view thereof – Innout has been confirmed as the first signing.

Consisting of guitarist Xiao Jun and drummer An Yu, that “avant-garde jazz duo” is said to integrate “modern jazz, experimental electronics, and free-form composition” into its work.

“Xiao Jun and An Yu are two of the most talented and visionary musicians I’ve ever met,” touted Blue Note president Don Was. “Their music is going to ‘blow people’s minds’ all over the world. It’s a thrill and an honor to be able to launch Blue Note Records China with their music.”

Lastly, the multifaceted announcement also saw BNRC reveal a partnership with Shanghai-based jazz label JZ Music. As described by Universal Music, that tie-up “will focus on live performance opportunities – including artist touring, music festivals, and live house events.”

In addition to underscoring Universal Music’s commitment to building out in China – where Warner Music “lost market share” in Q1 2025 – today’s announcements are seemingly indicative of bigger-picture plans in classical and jazz.

Without diving too far into this subject, it’s safe to say that DGC will factor into Deutsche Grammophon’s Stage+ classical streaming service, which has a well-entrenched competitor in Apple Music Classical.

But classical expansions aren’t underway across the industry; last month delivered rumblings of possible layoffs at Sony Classical.