Claude Villani Continues His Chart-Topping Legacy with Third Billboard No. 1 Jazz Hit
Success in the music industry often comes from mastering one lane. Claude Villani has spent his career proving it’s possible to master them all.
The Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, composer, entrepreneur, and CEO of the SRG/ILS Group, distributed by Virgin Music and Universal Music Group, has added another remarkable achievement to his growing legacy as “Boarding Pass,” performed by jazz icons David Benoit and Jeff Lorber, officially reached No. 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart for the week of July 14, 2026.
The milestone marks Villani’s third Billboard No. 1 single and sixth Top 10 hit on the Billboard Jazz charts, further cementing his reputation as one of today’s most influential creative executives.
Written and produced by The Architects of Sound, the collaborative production duo of Claude Villani and Jeff Lorber, “Boarding Pass” pairs two legendary jazz musicians whose influence has shaped contemporary jazz for more than four decades. The result is a sophisticated and uplifting composition that showcases the artistry, musicianship, and timeless appeal that continue to define the genre.
Villani’s growing list of Billboard successes reflects both his creative instincts and his ability to identify music that resonates with audiences.
His chart history now includes:
• #1 “Boarding Pass” – David Benoit & Jeff Lorber
• #1 “Savannah Dream” – David Benoit
• #1 “Taboo” – Damien Escobar
• #3 “Where We Belong” – Architects of Sound
• #8 “Teardrops in the Rain” – Jeff Lorber
• #10 “City Lights” – Mike Phillips
Long before leading one of today’s fastest-growing independent music companies, Villani’s journey began with a guitar.
A gifted musician from an early age, he was performing alongside seasoned professionals while most of his peers were still discovering music. Although he briefly attended Berklee College of Music, Villani quickly realized his education would come through experience, launching a career that would eventually span songwriting, production, artist management, promotion, publishing, and even international art galleries.
That entrepreneurial spirit ultimately led him to establish SRG Records in 2012 before expanding into what is now the SRG/ILS Group, one of the industry’s leading independent labels across R&B, jazz, and blues.
Under Villani’s leadership, the label has built an impressive roster featuring artists including PJ Morton, Johnny Gill, Lalah Hathaway, Keke Palmer, Romeo Miller, Daley, UB40, and many others while generating hundreds of millions of streams annually.
In 2023, Villani further expanded his vision by launching SRG Jazz, a division dedicated to celebrating contemporary jazz through collaborations with acclaimed artists including Jeff Lorber, David Benoit, Damien Escobar, Randy Brecker, Mike Phillips, and Architects of Sound.
His renewed passion for composing has also produced an impressive catalog of original work. Following the release of his 2024 collection Timepieces, Villani is preparing to unveil Timepieces II, scheduled for release later this summer.
AEG Chairman and CEO Jay Marciano perhaps summarized Villani’s unique position best.
“Claude Villani is one of the rarest music entrepreneurs. He possesses equal left side/right side talent that allows him to both create and promote. Equally at home creating as he is nurturing the next big talent opportunity.”
While many executives focus solely on building companies and many musicians dedicate themselves only to creating art, Claude Villani continues to excel in both worlds.
His latest Billboard No. 1 serves as another reminder that true leadership in music isn’t simply measured by charts or streams.
It’s measured by the ability to inspire artists, build lasting careers, and continue creating music that moves audiences around the world.
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