Jody Gerson

Early Life and Rise in Music Publishing Born in Pennsylvania, Gerson began her publishing career at Chappell Music (now Warner Chappell), honing her skills with industry icons like Bernie Taupin and Rod Stewart.

She moved to EMI Music Publishing, where, as East Coast head, she rapidly distinguished herself by signing and nurturing major songwriting talents.

In 1991, she was tasked with reviving EMI’s West Coast division, building a roster including Jermaine Dupri and Dallas Austin, who shepherded hits for artists like Janet Jackson and TLC.

Throughout her tenure at EMI, Gerson signed Alicia Keys at 14, guiding her through a debut that sold over 10 million albums and won five Grammy Awards, and later signed Norah Jones, who also collected five Grammys for her album “Come Away with Me”…