putting lryics to smooth jazz songs

[rap1741]

how can i get the permission to use an artists music by turning thier music into a song. i create the lryics and use the music. not changing a single arrangment or note. maybe not even the title. i would even give them a large percentage of credit for their song and use of it just to be able to create a new genre of music. who and how do contact to try and do this legally nad respective?

[saxy_jag]

If you're planning on performing the songs live, then you should fill in a PRS form for the venue, listing all the tunes you performed. The venue will have paid for their entertainments licence and the artists' royalties will come partly from those licence fees. The words will be yours and so copyright/royalties isn't so much of an issue.

I'm not sure quite what the situation is if you're recording. Perhaps the best place to start is by writing to the creators' agents. You can get a list of these in a publication called 'Artistes and Agents', usually available in large libraries.

[Mortartube]

You could also contact the record company in the first instance and ask how to proceed. I would like to hera some of your stuff, as I am a big smooth jazz fan, particularly Peter White and Chris Standring.