Forte Distribution LLC, a new independent distribution firm, will ship its first releases in March. The New York-based company is headed by Jack DeSalvo, who has previously served as a sales and label executive for On Demand Media Services, Andante Records, Universal Classics, BMG Classics and Allegro Distribution.
Former WEA Classics and Jazz national sales director Barry Bender, who is based in San Francisco, is director of sales for Forte. The company’s sales will be handled by six part-time reps based in New York, Detroit, Chicago, Northern California, Southern California and Florida.
Fulfillment and returns processing will be handled by Capacity LLC, which operates a 125,000-square-foot warehouse in New Brunswick, N.J.
Forte will specialize in jazz, classical and world music. Its start-up roster of 25 labels includes the U.S. jazz and classical imprint Arabesque and such international lines as Avie (England), Alpha and Nocturne (France) and Codaex (Belgium).