Jody H Klein is currently owner and CEO of ABKCO Music & Records, Inc, the seminal music publishing and record label for an incredibly diverse catalog including all of the compositions and corresponding master recordings by Sam Cooke (“You Send Me”, “Having A Party”), Ray and Dave Davies (“Lola”, “Waterloo Sunset”) and Bobby Womack (“Breezin’” , “Across 110th Street”), Jagger/Richards “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” and “Jumping Jack Flash.”
During his tenure as CEO, ABKCO has become a major influence in the domestic copyright discussion with Klein’s instigation of legal initiatives providing strong supporting evidence to the Copyright Office and DOJ on behalf of independent music publishers and as the only independent record label to participate in the pre-1972 lawsuits against Sirius and Pandora. He works diligently to protect his songwriters and artists rights and history by expanding their legacy through licensing and innovative cross promotional opportunities including legitimate theatre and film. His business relationships with directors and artists have led to ABKCO’s involvement in award winning Grammy, Oscar, BAFTA, Lion and Clio projects.
Jody has also produced the Golden Globe and Oscar-nominated film One Night In Miami… (based on the Olivier-nominated play by the same name) released in December 2020 and directed by Oscar winning actress Regina King. The film features Sam Cooke’s most celebrated repertoire, including “You Send Me,” “Chain Gang,” “Good Times,” and “A Change Is Gonna Come.” The soundtrack also includes “Speak Now,” a powerful original song written by Leslie Odom Jr. and Sam Ashworth.
Prior to his appointment in 2006, Klein was Managing Director of ABKCO’s eleven worldwide wholly owned publishing subsidiaries. He was instrumental in the implementation of technological advances in re-mastering and re-introducing ABKCO’s corresponding master recordings to new generations of fans; these recordings in turn have lent a new lease of life to the marketability of the compositions. Under Klein’s leadership, ABKCO has become one of the largest revenue generating, family owned, privately held, independent music publishers and record companies. Jody currently serves on the Board of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and has done so since 2015. He is also a founding board member of IMPEL.
Jody Klein graduated from Skidmore in 1985 with a BA in Business and Government. In addition to creating a mentor program at ABKCO, Jody lectures on the music business at his alma mater and is involved in setting Skidmore’s music business syllabus.